I’m all for giving Thanksgiving it’s time to shine and like to appreciate the cool down and beauty of fall. However, my big kid so kindly brought to my attention that there are only 10 weeks until Christmas!
Where do I even begin thinking about that?
I look around at our play room and wonder where I will squeeze another round of toys in. If I’m going to have to clean out to make room, I better get started! I’ll research organization tips and tricks and feel like I have my life together for a minute. Then, Dec 26 will roll around and I will be up to my ears in things to find homes for. It’s all worth it though, to see their little faces light up when they open something they have been wanting.
I remember as a kid getting a Sears Wishbook in the mail. My siblings and I would sit and study each page of the latest and greatest toys of the year. We circled the things we would talk about to anyone who would listen for the next two months. Last year, we received similar catalogs from Amazon and WalMart and it felt like passing on a tradition to hand my kiddos that book and an ink pen.
Two years ago, I tried something different with my big kid. He got to do a Christmas morning scavenger hunt. He had 12 clues, each leading to a gift card and scrapbook under the tree at the end to tie it all up. A year of adventures. A gift card for a different place each month and the scrapbook to record our trips. They were not all extravagant getaways. There was an overnight trip to a big zoo a few hours away, but we also went to a movie, a local trampoline park, and took an ice cream trip to Dairy Queen. It focused on quality time together, and really, isn’t that the point? I think he liked it, and we had a lot of fun over the year spending the gift cards.
There are some really cool options out there if you’re looking for minimal clutter and fun gifts.
Subscription boxes are fun because they keep the thrill of receiving gifts going beyond Christmas morning. KiwiCo has awesome boxes for all ages and educational components that make it more than just toys. This year, my big kid has requested Mark Rober’s CrunchLab kits.
Monthly snack boxes. Who doesn’t like snacks? A few years ago we received these and it was so cool. Each month we would get a box of assorted snacks from around the world. Enclosed was a postcard that told us the name of the snack, its country of origin, and a bit about the flavor profile, as most of the packaging was in the original languages!
I have also heard of “The rule of 5”. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, and finally, something to do. This is good to keep in mind to streamline your shopping decisions.
It is, for me at least, fun to shop, but it’s easy to get carried away. My intention is to have a game plan and make a list but sometimes those Black Friday ads induce some impulse buys. Online shopping has also made it easier to squeeze it in here and there as I can, instead of dedicating a day to running around town.
Daily Help…
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 KJV
His Truth, our journey...
Whether you shop all year and are done by now, or wait until Mary’s water breaks to start, I hope you enjoy the coming weeks and get to spend time with loved ones over the holiday season.
I would love to hear from you! What are some of your favorite gifts you have given or received? What was the most unique?
Thanks for stopping by and hope to have you back soon!
Momma Writes
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