We really do stick to three gift for my kids. I’m not talking expensive gifts either. It’s just something we decided to do a few years back in an effort to pull the focus away from things that are fleeting.
Think back on your Christmases. What do you remember? Presents, presents and more presents? Maybe a couple memorable gifts stick in your mind but I’d be willing to bet, as in my case, you remember your grandma’s cookies. The funny costume uncle Ed wore trying to trick you into thinking there was a Santa. Maybe even something tragic or someone you miss. The point is, I believe what sticks with us is memories not who got what.
So, why not cut the excess and make memories?
This is still a work in progress for us but the idea is to make the days of the season special. We want to place scheduled stops on a busy season that help us as a family to come together, play a game, read a book, go sledding etc. I’d like to get organized enough to have a 12 days of Christmas “plan”. But for now it will be hit and miss.
Our first “scheduled stop” is a wrapped picture book version of the christmas story. I reviewed The Nativity here. Wrapping up the same ol’ traditions brings new life and anticipation to them. I will probably use this book for several years. At least until the thinglets grow into a longer version.
On another day I will wrap cookie cutters for each of the thinglets and I’ll have a batch of dough ready in the frig to roll and cut.
Next, if it snows again, I might put hand warmers and hot chocolate in packages for each of them and Matt and I will take the time to go sledding with them.
There are so many ways that this can be tailored and most of it is free!
Memories are better than quantity or quality.
Think about it. Most of the gifts we give only serve as a distraction, something to take away from family time. Some way for the individual to further check out.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not against gift giving. I love it! I just think if that’s all we do we are missing a huge opportunity.
We try to keep things small, but it always gets out of hand. Hubby and I buy ski lessons for his gift every year, and then one small thing to open on Christmas Eve, often a book. He then also gets a stocking on Christmas morning with little things (glow bracelets, a small Lego set-$7 one, an orange, a magazine, a slinky etc).
The out of hand comes from the rest of the family, he has 6 Aunts & Uncles, 3 pseudo Aunts that loveto shop for him and 3 sets of grandparents (my side had a divorce so both of my parents give a gift) plus one set of Great grandparents who just send cash. We usually have a party with the dayhome too. It gets crazy for about a week.
Oh yeah, we only have a choice about what to do in approaching it ourselves. Cant control the outlaws! LOL Wouldn’t want to try!
Oranges in the stocking are a tradition here too.
Love the ski pass idea. If only I had less kids. lol
Great post! I agree completely. I posted some funny and treasured memories on several blog postings this week, and none of them focus on specific gifts. Memories are the real gifts.
Oh good, your family is so fun. I will be sure to check it out!
Great idea, to wrap something up everyday! I love it! I might take it next year. We have done cookies, paper elves and decorating. We still have lights to go see, even though my wonderful hubby can kinda be a grump about leaving the house again after work! You can not control the grand parents. Both of my parents love language is gift giving, and it is over board. We sure do wish we had family to be with though. I can only remember one gift from growing up and that was my own little rocking chair when I was 5, I can’ still picture it.