The perfect gift

Whilst Christmas shopping, this year, I came across a little boy staring intently at the toy shelves. He was blocking the aisle and, blushing, explained to impatient shoppers that he was sorry but he only had 5.00 to buy Christmas presents for his 3 brothers and he wanted to make sure he got the very best gifts.

My first reaction was to bolt for the front of the store; thinking that I should retrieve some cash to "better" his Christmas. As my footsteps approached the ATM, however, I began to reflect on memories of Christmases past.

I remembered standing with a few dollars in my pocket and not a lot of options, but carefully contemplating the few that I had. One year I bought my brother a plastic boat for the bath, a keychain for my mom, and a pair of gloves for my dad. I was tremendously proud of those gifts. Not only because they required a fair amount of thought to pick out, but also because while I had little money, it was my money. I had earned it. I had carefully budged it, and spent every last penny of it on people I loved.

While it would have been awesome to have a stranger hand me an extra 20.00 to buy gifts for my family. It wouldn't have "made" my Christmas. It may have, in fact, distracted from the careful sincerity required in my simple gifts.

I didn't give that boy any more money. I didn't want to make him feel as if I thought his money and/or gifts were insufficient. There is no better gift than the one that is carefully chosen.


I was, again, humbled when my son presented me with a gift.  He is 5 years old and doesn't make a substantial allowance, but he had saved up a few dollars and asked to be taken to walmart to pick a gift for me. After careful consideration he picked out a beautiful necklace for me. It was not an expensive necklace. It likely cost him little more than 5.00, but it was from the heart in a powerful way. He had worked hard to earn the money he had and to prove his love, he had used the work of his tiny hands and his giant heart to buy his mommy a present. He beamed with pride when I opened the gift and I absolutely refuse to take it off.

I wouldn't have wanted a stranger to hand him a 20.00 bill for him to buy just anything. I loved that he used what he had.

Giving is not, as the world teaches, a competition of quantity, but instead a deep demonstration of quality. A gift with an excess of dollar signs just cannot compete with a gift who truly has something to say.

Bask in the glow

Attention parents: I need you all to do me a favor.  Never  stop basking in the glow of your children by taking pride in their growth and accomplishments. Don't compete... Just bask and SHARE with others your joy. If we stop taking time to express pride in our children, they might just stop feeling pride in themselves.

I was basking in the glow of my son, last night. 

We were preparing for bedtime and as I was tucking in his sister, Gideon, had a tear filled melt down. He was pacing and crying, in utter panic. When pressed he told me that he was feeling very very afraid of the dark. His room was a scary place for him and he was begging for something, anything  to help.
"Mom, will you turn on a movie, or let me sleep in your bed, or stay with me until I fall asleep?!?!"

Before I could answer he ran into Gabby's room, where I was, and said "No Wait!! I will pray!!!" I, smiled and putting my hand on his shoulder opened my mouth to pray; he put up his hand to stop me and said "No, Mom, I want to do it!" I nodded and kept my hand on his shoulder while he took a deep breath and began
"Dear God, I'm scared of the dark. Please take away all my fear. Send your angels, Jesus, with big big swords to make me safe. You always make me safe, so help me not be scared and be safe."

We finished up the prayer and Gabby told her brother "Why are you scared, Gideon? God always keeps us safe."
Gideon sighed and said "I know", then quietly marched to bed, and peacefully fell asleep with the wisdom that he was being taken care of.

Faith like a child.
Faith like my child.

After making sure they were both well tucked in and skipping off to dream land, I sat down on the couch and felt tremendously unbelievably blessed.

I basked in the glow. :)

Cheap Gifts Kids will LOVE

I am an absolute Christmas-aholic! I have truly tried to control myself, but it might take serious therapy!
John and my budget, however, isn't generally conducive to satisfying my Christmas whimsy!
In fact, in past years, our budget was so tight that every time I made a purchase I swear my bank card would "squeak" as it slid through the charge machine.

Being the stubborn, innovative person I am, I have come up with clever ways to fill the space under the christmas tree without putting us into bankruptcy.



1.  Disposable Cameras 

  You can get these for 6.00 at Walmart or walmart.com and they are soo much fun for the kids to fill up. When they're full (and you can afford i)  it's also a fun surprise to get them developed and see what comes out. 

2. Goodwill Books. 

You can pick up some cute books for .99 and the kiddos aren't going to care where you got them!!

3. Trades and Hand-Me-Downs
If they have older cousins you're SET. I can't tell you how much clothing and toys my kids have gotten from family or friends with kids a little older than mine. I also have traded my friends toys that my kids don't play with anymore with toys their kids don't play with anymore. Free is a grrrreat price.

4.  Homemade Doll Clothes.

If you are at all crafty you can gather together scraps of yarn or fabric to make some doll clothes (hats, blankets, dresses, scarves, etc) 

5. Take advantage of your online used item sales venues...
If you're patient and start early sometimes you can get some amazing deals on kids toys on ebay or craigslist.

6. Cardboard doll house
Sounds cheesy? What do you think they are made of at the store, most of the time??? Just print up some decor pictures and glue them to the outside.... cut up some big boxes... take your time and create a masterpiece.


7.  Make a cape for your little super hero



8. Use starch to make a Doilie/Lace Crown for your princess

http://www.rookno17.com/2012/02/lace-crowns-quick-microwave-method.html

9. Make a charm bracelet



10. Homemade Piggy Bank

11. Hit up dollar tree and get a bag of balloons and grab a bag of candies or very small toys.  Put a toy or candy in each balloon and blow them up. Put the blown up balloons in a large box and let them have fun popping the balloons to get to their prizes.



12. Plain white canvas sneakers from walmart and markers, glitter glue, or something of the like for them to custom decorate their shoes.



13. fabric roads

14. Felt Flip Book 

Put together pages of felt and make their favorite characters (super heros princesses etc) out of felt or felt and paper and make scenes on each page that the kids can interact with their characters



15. Crocheted or felt Winter Hats

16.  Pillow Bed

18.  Kids Bath Mits

19. Kid's Wallet


20. Kid's purse or diaper Bag