Our family has adopted a new Christmas tradition in lieu of shopping for everyone.   We are doing a gift exchange.   There are 6 of us, my husband, myself and our 2 daughters with spouses.    Each of us purchases a $20 gift and we play a fun gift- stealing game when we exchange our gifts. 

 

When it was first suggested, I felt conflicting emotions.   On the one hand, I felt sad that I could not shop for everyone and watch their faces as they saw all of the gifts under the tree and as they opened theirs.  The looks of surprise, pleasure and gratitude as they opened their gifts were special to me.  On the other hand, there was a feeling of relief, relief at not having to stress over shopping for everyone, relief at not having to worry so much financially, relief at not having to worry about whether everyone would like everything they got.    Let’s face it – not everyone always likes what you get them.    Also, everyone feels obligated to get something for everyone else and we don’t need all that stuff.   I am trying to simplify life and this is one way to do it.    Sometimes I still feel guilty, but when I look at the big picture, this is a much better way to do it.   We play games, we have fun with our exchange and everybody goes home with something.  And we all love one another and that is the best gift of all!

I received a beautiful candle and hurricane holder.  I cannot think of what it is really called, but here is a picture for you.   Of course, I did need to steal it, but hey, it is all in the game.

 

Of course the children are another story.   We try and shower them with Christmas presents to the best of our ability.  My husband and I try and make as many gifts as we can.  I know the children don’t necessarily know the difference or know the value in a homemade gift, but they will someday.  We can be more creative with homemade gifts.  I absolutely had a ball making doll clothes and felt figures and am anxious to do more.

 

Some examples of our homemade gifts this year were:   a handmade wooden bowl by Leon for the gift exchange,  Curvy boards for the girls(*still in production), doll clothes, felt figures for their flannel boards, a quilt for Jacob(*still in production), slippers for all of them, a train table for Jacob (*still in production).

 

*still in production – Okay, admittedly, this is a bug in our process.   Working full time and getting everything done is a challenge.   Every year we start a little earlier.    Also, there was a prototype curvy board that went home with the girls, so in a way, that one doesn’t count as much.