It happens every year.
I find myself putting up turkey leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner and it hits me: I haven't even bought a single gift for Christmas.
And in the past, when confronted with a looming gift-buying deadline, I've made some extremely ill advised purchases. So, in order to keep the joy flowing in this most precious season, we now put $ aside monthly into a special Christmas account. That way we don't go broke overspend at Christmastime... it certainly makes for a much more joyful season knowing we won't have credit card bills due at the beginning of the new year :)
All that to say, I'm ready to get started Christmas shopping. Like now. Although we don't buy our kids a lot for Christmas, even just 3 or 4 gifts, multiplied by 8 (almost 9!) kiddos, plus hubby and immediate family, plus extended family, and well, itsalottashopping.
I looooove shopping for my kiddos. But trying to come up with the perfect gift: fun, possibly educational, reasonably priced and will last longer than the Christmas holiday... it's not always easy. Especially since my kids' ages range from 20 to 1, I need help in a big way. I would LOVE to get y'alls advice on what your kids have loved in years past. Books, games, toys, all of it!
And in the spirit of doing something new (not really new, but new to me) I thought I'd try out a Mister Linky. That way I get to check out your blog, and so can everyone else whose interested in some Christmas buying ideas. Just create a post, or link to an old post that has some gift-giving ideas, and link up below!
Or, if you don't want peeps coming over to check out yo' blog, you can just leave a comment. Your comments really helped our decision making on the Wii, we're definitely keeping it. And the Wii Fit.
I'll start the gift idea ball rolling with something I just bought for my girls. This gift is custom made and won't be ready in time for Christmas, but I don't care... they'll be sooo worth the wait! These are so special and so sweet, I might have to get one for me if Vivi doesn't get home soon!
PLEASE only link up if you have Christmas ideas to share, otherwise I'll have to remove your link :(
Friday, October 23, 2009
averting Christmas craziness
Posted by
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
18 little birdies told me...:
I am in the same boat...wanting to come up with the perfect gift but also make it practical on some level.
For the last few years we have used a simple formula for our kiddos: They receive three gifts each...we emphasize Christ's birth and the gifts that the wise men presented.
Gold represents the MOST WANTED gift...Frankincense is a gift that centers around family time (like a game or tickets to a movie/event) and Myrrh represents a practical/usable gift like a new sports sweatshirt or cool boots.
Then, because we still love the magic of Santa we have stocking which we fill with school supplies candies, trinkets and the like.
All the kids love this and will say, "I really want THIS for my Myrrh gift this year..." Etc.
We think it is fun.
Okay, Stefanie.....
I've spoken to you a few times thru e-mail, and I've always known you remind me of myself. Every time I read your blog, it's something else!! Except you are WAAAAY more brave than me.
I also have a WIDE age difference in my children..... 21 years to 14 months.
I also am waiting to get our TA to China.
AND, I also just recently ordered the same doll for our new daughter!
I've GOT to meet you someday!!
Great minds!! I went shopping TODAY! And I am now searching the web for ideas too, so your post comes at a perfect time! :)
This time of year kills us...I have my parents' 61st (!!) wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving, Kiara's birthday on Dec. 6, my mom's birthday on Dec. 18 & Frank's on the 19th!! I BETTER get my shopping done!! ;)
I'll "Link Up" too after I write a post about one special gift I'm giving Kiara this year.
OK! I linked up! :)
What a fun idea. I'll come up with something and link up soon.
My girls are getting Wild Olive tees for Christmas! I've also stashed away a few toys and clothes picked up on mega clearance, as well as a new game for the Wii. I usually look for a game or puzzle--something they can do without my help, rather than a toy or game that requires my assistance--and everybody always gets a book or two (we're big on books here, although it can lead to storage issues!). Everybody gets new Christmas pajamas which they open Christmas Eve, and often new slippers in their stockings.
So glad you are doing this because I need ideas too! Our kids are 24-5 years old. We are heading out to go camping down the road at our pond. I'll post something on our blog later about "gifts of Christmas past".
Don't you LOVE the Maria Sue doll?? We saw Maria's daddy just a couple of nights ago and his heart is still just so broken. His grief is so apparent when he talks about her. I hope everyone will continue to pray for this family. They have given so much and lost so much but their faith remains stronger than ever.
Well, the Lord just gave me this idea...after a heartbreaking conversation with my youngest son in the car last week on how I can do SOMETHING towards finding that little sister of his in China...and just last night I made up the blog and already have some orders- holy cow!
My almost 12 yr. old daughter is learning too..she's my helper :)
I'm hoping to be able to keep up and get tons done before Christmas!
As for help with the shopping...try letting the littles make ornaments out of salt clay. Paint with cheap acrylic paints and spray with a sealant...tie with ribbon. We have made these and they have been HUGE hits.
Homemade is always special in my book :)
Stefanie,
We are in the same boat this year trying to come up with the perfect gift on a budget. We are also getting the Maria Sue dolls for the girls.
Every year the kids get a "big box" filled with practical items...their favorite cereal, new PJ's, bubbles, batteries, tooth brushes, slippers, school supplies (I stock up in Aug), hair bows, undies and socks. The Kids love their BIG BOXES. The best part is after opening them up we decorate them and make a Big Box Town! It's a favorite every year.
duh...forgot to give you the link...
www.beadingtochina.blogspot.com
hope to put some on Etsy too but we just got started!!
I donated my first set as a fundraiser for a sweet little guy in EE with Downs. :)
Okay, I have to get some more done...will add more photos soon!
I love this post!!!! It's a super idea! Thinking about Christmas shopping always fills me with mixed emotions....
I love the shopping part...and I must admit at times, well lots of times, I seem to get carried away.
I also like the giving part. What I struggle with is the "I want part". And everywhere you go, Santa seems to dominate. Don't get me wrong, I like that jolly ole guy, but there is so much more. And I need to do a better job of communicating this to my kids!
This year I have been praying for a way to put more of Jesus into the Christmas season.
So, I must say that I absolutely love Jill's idea...
about three gifts and how these gifts relate to Jesus' birth...
I love it, love it, love it!!!
Thank you Jill for sharing...
I'm pretty sure that we are going to incorporate your 'simple formula' into our Christmas this year!
We also do the 3 gift thingy. we told the kids Baby Jesus only got 3..and then asked them if they thought they needed more.Thank goodness they all said NO. They can make out a list and Mom and Dad pick 3 from the list-1 big and 2 little.
Everyone is happy.
We give to Non-profits in lieu of gifts with the extended family(grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.).They do the same for us. we love getting the cards wrapped in boxes"$$$ was given to ??? in your name". It is just cool to me.
Cause lets be honest..ADULTS can buy what they want..noone NEEDS anything. World Vision, LWB and PHILIP HAYDEN are the ones we donate to most..but you know the possibilities are endless.
That is what we do. Love you.
My verification word today is BEERS....Hmmmm....not a bad idea...;)
Wow, I just started my shopping this week! So great minds as Patricia said! I LOVE this time of year and want to do everything I can to make it special for my two boys. They're really too young to grasp what's going on right now but I hope that by getting into the swing of things by starting traditions now, by the time the boys are old enough to remember, Andy and I will have things nailed down!
I've linked up so y'all come on over today and every Sunday as I post different gift ideas and holiday traditions! Let's have some fun!
P.S. I really enjoy reading your blog Stefanie - I'm so glad i found it! The hubs and I are definitely up for adopting in a few years when we're in a more stable financial position so it's nice to be able to read your posts here and all the stories over on "No Hands but Ours." We hadn't thought of doing a SN adoption but we're certainly thinking about it now.
Hey there!
Thanks for coming up with this idea! I can't wait to read about everyone's suggestions. I'm so guilty of falling into that trap of picking up whats on that metal shelf in the toy aisle at Walmart.I'm always wanting to find something more unique, the kind of stuff you get online but I never know where to search.
Thanks again!
stephanie
Yes Stefanie, I almost didn't put the etsy stuff on their. It becomes an addiction. Tell your husband I am sorry for showing you some of my favorites from it. I have one more favorite but I can't find it right now. I'll send it to you later.
This is such a great idea!! Thanks so much for coming up with this. You have a wonderful blog!
Ok, I'm a little slow, but I did finally link up. And thanks for getting me started Christmas shopping in October!!
OOOOPs, and duh!!!
I had a typo on my Mr. Linky entry - I don't know if you can remove that! I apparently left the "g" out of "blogspot". Let me know if you can remove it so I can add the right one or should I just add it again????
That's what I get for trying to type when everyone else is awake!
Post a Comment