I admit it, I make great plans for my Christmas shopping every year. But every year I find myself buying at least one gift (more often I am looking for 5 or 6) about three days before Christmas. And every year it is stressful finding that last gift or gifts.
I want this year to be different. And after reading Amy's Finer Things this week I am ready to get started. I don't shop all year round for Christmas. I see the value in it, and I wish I could. But we simply don't have the storage space for it. But I can still shop smarter than I have in the past and that is my goal this year.
Already I have one large gift done, it was started in January at the Christmas sales and finished this summer. Since I don't shop year round that was very unusual but it is an special gift for Jon's parents. After we give it to them I will post pictures of it.
After reading Amy's post I found 101 Deals of Christmas. I have never seen this before and I am hooked. I found it yesterday and already bought my youngest niece her Christmas gift, the Lillian Vernon foam blocks were $4.99 with shipping. My niece will love these blocks and I can check one person off my list. I will be checking with 101 Days of Christmas as I do my shopping.
One of my other favorite places for Christmas gifts is Snapfish. They have great deals around the holidays and my parents love their yearly calendars. I always wait for their sale, but this year I am going to be a little smarter. I am starting my calendars now and saving them. Then when the sales start I will order the saved project instead of rushing around and staying up late the night the sale ends in order to get the project done.
I have emailed my sisters in law to find out what my nephews and niece want. Once I have a list I will start watching the sales and storing things away. I have also started asking my kids what they want Santa to bring them. As I find their wanted items on sale I will buy them and store them away.
One area that I do well with is sticking to a budget. Jon and I choose an amount to spend on different family members and we stick to it. It works well, and we work hard not to go over the set amount. 1 or 2 dollars over budget may not seem like much for one gift, but if we do that for every person it adds up quickly. So I work hard to find good deals in order to get the gifts we want to get and stay on budget.
The other great thing about starting my shopping early this year is that I will not have all the bills coming in after Christmas. I am excited to be more organized this year. I know I said at the beginning I make great plans every year and fail to stick to them. But that is why I am writing about them. This makes me accountable to what I say I am going to do. Hopefully I will be able to stick to my plans!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christmas on 1 Income
I am not the most religious girl you will ever meet (some days I am better than others), but I can honestly say I feel blessed right now. In my daily life I frequently meet people who are unable to live on 1 income. Not only are Jon and I able to live on 1 income, but we do it in a way that we don't feel deprived. We don't feel like our lives lack anything. Well, okay we lack an expensive vacation each year, but that is not really the point.
We don't do things spectacular to keep our lives this way. Yes I meal plan, yes I coupon clip and shop the sales. Yes we make a budget and do our best to stick with it. But I think the biggest thing we do is know our needs from our wants. Needs are things like warm clothes, heat, clean water, a safe house to live in, food in our bellies, our loved ones in our lives, education for all of us. Wants are things like that extra large vacation each year, closets full of clothes, going out to dinner on a regular basis, buying a larger house in a better town.
Around Christmas it is VERY easy to get swept up in the wants instead of the needs. Wants are part of the fun of the season, at least to me. Opening gifts that are not practical but are fun. Watching my kids get excited when they see that Santa came and fulfilled at least part of their wish list. But it still needs to be on our budget. I make sure to budget enough for gifts each year that we are able to share with all of those that we care about in some way. And I admit I woudl LOVE to fill the house with gifts for the kids. I can get carried away. But it isn't realistic for several reasons. One is that often they ask for things that are fleeting (a doll that Madeline sawy her friend get and now she wants one just like it, the squid, yes I said squid, Owen was playing with at the store and wanted to take home with him) and will be forgotten quickly. Would they love to open the gifts and play with them? Of course. But it is smart to spend money that could be spent elsewhere for a momentary smile? Especially when I can get that same smile from so many other things? Like baking together. Or reading a book. Or building a tower of blocks. Or even telling them they can watch an extra half hour of tv!
When we choose the gifts (well mostly I, Jon does put his two cents in but I spend more time thinking about gifts) we try to pick things that the kids will love AND use for a long time. This year we decided that a tag reader would be great for Madeline. She has not asked for one (she wants a washing machine for her dolls clothes) but I am hopeful that she will love it. She asked Santa for a specific My little Pony doll and she does play with them so I am working to find it. Owen is getting more trains because he does love his trains and he plays with them as well as his cars. I am also working to make both children photo albums of themselves with loved ones. Ben will get a few toys, mostly because Santa needs to come for all three kids, but also because it is nice to have a few things that are not hand me downs. Although he doesn't know the difference! And all three children will receive books. In the past we have chosen wisely (the wagon is used still after two years and the kitchen set from last year is great for pretend play!) without breaking the bank. I don't want to spend January cringing at my credit card bills. And so far I have not.
To help save money I buy things for stockings at the dollar store. We watch for sales (starting in September this year) and buy gifts as we see them. For family we do calendars of family photos. Snapfish had some great sales back in October so I got to work on gifts early this year (who can say no to buy 1 get 2 free even if it means staying up until midnight?). I set limits on how much I will spend per person and stick to them. In addition we try to make some homemade items as well. Tins of cookies and candies are always appreciated. And handmade ornaments by the kids are a cherished gift for grandparents and great grandparents. I even make sure to score deals on my cards (I recieved 50 free cards from Shutterfly this year, and they should be here anyday now). In the end it isn't the price of the gift, but the thought behind it that is the most important thing.
I do not cook Christmas dinner. We do have a tradition that we get Subway on Christmas Eve (I don't know how it started but it is something we have been doing since we got married) and I always bring a dish to Christmas day and Christmas Eve dinners. Both my mother and my mother in law still like to host the holidays so it is one less thing for me to budget for (both time and money).
Most importantly we realize how much we do have. And because of that we make a point to do something for those less fortunate then us. This year we bought two toys for the Toys for Tots Drive (it isn't a lot but it is something), and someone in my life is going through a tough time so we contributed to a gift for the family. I am also planning on taking Madeline and Owen to pick out mittens and gloves for the mitten tree that our city library is sponsoring. I try to remind them when I can (like today when we put loose change in the Salvation Army bucket at Walmart) that we are VERY lucky and we need to share with others who do not have as much as we have. I want them to understand, at their level, that trying to help others is ALWAYS important, even when it is as simple as sharing loose change.
In the end it is important not to get caught up in the sales (like the 50% off of Melissa and Doug toys at Amazon.com today) and the craziness of wanting to have it all. The season is about many things, but going into debt should not be one of them! Realizing how much we have is what is important. And spending time creating memories (like making our gumdrop Christmas tree today) is the most important part of the season.
We don't do things spectacular to keep our lives this way. Yes I meal plan, yes I coupon clip and shop the sales. Yes we make a budget and do our best to stick with it. But I think the biggest thing we do is know our needs from our wants. Needs are things like warm clothes, heat, clean water, a safe house to live in, food in our bellies, our loved ones in our lives, education for all of us. Wants are things like that extra large vacation each year, closets full of clothes, going out to dinner on a regular basis, buying a larger house in a better town.
Around Christmas it is VERY easy to get swept up in the wants instead of the needs. Wants are part of the fun of the season, at least to me. Opening gifts that are not practical but are fun. Watching my kids get excited when they see that Santa came and fulfilled at least part of their wish list. But it still needs to be on our budget. I make sure to budget enough for gifts each year that we are able to share with all of those that we care about in some way. And I admit I woudl LOVE to fill the house with gifts for the kids. I can get carried away. But it isn't realistic for several reasons. One is that often they ask for things that are fleeting (a doll that Madeline sawy her friend get and now she wants one just like it, the squid, yes I said squid, Owen was playing with at the store and wanted to take home with him) and will be forgotten quickly. Would they love to open the gifts and play with them? Of course. But it is smart to spend money that could be spent elsewhere for a momentary smile? Especially when I can get that same smile from so many other things? Like baking together. Or reading a book. Or building a tower of blocks. Or even telling them they can watch an extra half hour of tv!
When we choose the gifts (well mostly I, Jon does put his two cents in but I spend more time thinking about gifts) we try to pick things that the kids will love AND use for a long time. This year we decided that a tag reader would be great for Madeline. She has not asked for one (she wants a washing machine for her dolls clothes) but I am hopeful that she will love it. She asked Santa for a specific My little Pony doll and she does play with them so I am working to find it. Owen is getting more trains because he does love his trains and he plays with them as well as his cars. I am also working to make both children photo albums of themselves with loved ones. Ben will get a few toys, mostly because Santa needs to come for all three kids, but also because it is nice to have a few things that are not hand me downs. Although he doesn't know the difference! And all three children will receive books. In the past we have chosen wisely (the wagon is used still after two years and the kitchen set from last year is great for pretend play!) without breaking the bank. I don't want to spend January cringing at my credit card bills. And so far I have not.
To help save money I buy things for stockings at the dollar store. We watch for sales (starting in September this year) and buy gifts as we see them. For family we do calendars of family photos. Snapfish had some great sales back in October so I got to work on gifts early this year (who can say no to buy 1 get 2 free even if it means staying up until midnight?). I set limits on how much I will spend per person and stick to them. In addition we try to make some homemade items as well. Tins of cookies and candies are always appreciated. And handmade ornaments by the kids are a cherished gift for grandparents and great grandparents. I even make sure to score deals on my cards (I recieved 50 free cards from Shutterfly this year, and they should be here anyday now). In the end it isn't the price of the gift, but the thought behind it that is the most important thing.
I do not cook Christmas dinner. We do have a tradition that we get Subway on Christmas Eve (I don't know how it started but it is something we have been doing since we got married) and I always bring a dish to Christmas day and Christmas Eve dinners. Both my mother and my mother in law still like to host the holidays so it is one less thing for me to budget for (both time and money).
Most importantly we realize how much we do have. And because of that we make a point to do something for those less fortunate then us. This year we bought two toys for the Toys for Tots Drive (it isn't a lot but it is something), and someone in my life is going through a tough time so we contributed to a gift for the family. I am also planning on taking Madeline and Owen to pick out mittens and gloves for the mitten tree that our city library is sponsoring. I try to remind them when I can (like today when we put loose change in the Salvation Army bucket at Walmart) that we are VERY lucky and we need to share with others who do not have as much as we have. I want them to understand, at their level, that trying to help others is ALWAYS important, even when it is as simple as sharing loose change.
In the end it is important not to get caught up in the sales (like the 50% off of Melissa and Doug toys at Amazon.com today) and the craziness of wanting to have it all. The season is about many things, but going into debt should not be one of them! Realizing how much we have is what is important. And spending time creating memories (like making our gumdrop Christmas tree today) is the most important part of the season.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Getting Ready for Christmas
Every year I send out Christmas cards. Before I had kids I would actually write these cards out.
In pen.
But with three kids who has time for that? I am lucky I have time to stuff envelopes and write addresses!
Thankfully there are companies that will do some of the work for me. Shutterfly is one of these companies. They have many photo cards to choose from. And the entire process is so simple. You upload your chosen photos to the site, choose from their selection, type out your greeting and order. The most difficult part is getting your kids to sit still for a nice photo (or at least that is the most difficult part for me!)
Shutterfly has many different designs to choose from. I usually go with a classic Christmas card and one of my favorites from their site is:
Traditionally I have chosen a card with only one photo. Part of the reason for that is getting my kids to sit still for a nice photo! However after looking through the selection I may space out my photo sessions in order to get several pictures of the kids. A few I found that I love are:
This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I received 50 free photo cards for my post. The opinions are mine.
In pen.
But with three kids who has time for that? I am lucky I have time to stuff envelopes and write addresses!
Thankfully there are companies that will do some of the work for me. Shutterfly is one of these companies. They have many photo cards to choose from. And the entire process is so simple. You upload your chosen photos to the site, choose from their selection, type out your greeting and order. The most difficult part is getting your kids to sit still for a nice photo (or at least that is the most difficult part for me!)
Shutterfly has many different designs to choose from. I usually go with a classic Christmas card and one of my favorites from their site is:
Traditionally I have chosen a card with only one photo. Part of the reason for that is getting my kids to sit still for a nice photo! However after looking through the selection I may space out my photo sessions in order to get several pictures of the kids. A few I found that I love are:
There are so many cards to choose from! With over 700 designs of Christmas and holiday cards you are bound to find several that you love.
And if you like photo gifts Shutterfly has a solutions, their wall Calendars make wonderful gifts and Shutterfly has a wonderful selection! To be honest I have not ordered my calendars from Shutterfly in the past but after looking through their selection I will remember them in the future.
And remember what I said about having very little extra time? Especially around the holidays. And I HATE writing my address over and over and over as a return address. In the past I have actually wondered how much I care of the card comes back to me if I don't address it correctly. Well, Shutterfly has a solution for that as well. They have holiday address labels. With 498 choices at only $7.99 for 28 I may order some for myself this year!
Currently they are offering free shipping on orders of $30 or more. Now is a good time to order your Christmas cards and gifts!
This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I received 50 free photo cards for my post. The opinions are mine.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
It is Monday again. This is going to be a crazy busy week. Easter weekend is coming and we have lots of plans with friends who are in town and to top it off I am cooking Easter dinner. I needed to spend most of my grocery budget on Easter dinner this week so we are eating out of the pantry to help keep the budget somewaht stable.
Here is the planned (but of course not set in stone) menu for the week:
Monday- leftovers for everyone. If there aren't leftovesr Jon will make keilbasa for the kids and I will eat a sandwich or salad at work.
Tuesday- brinner- scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon (make the whole lb and save half for Thursday), sliced strawberries (great sale at Stop and Shop this week!) homemade blueberry muffins and homemade chocolate chip muffins. We didn't get to it this past week or the week before so it will be on the list this week.
Wednesday- chicken quarters on the grill, rice and vegetables. I was digging through my freezer to fit new things in and found these. I LOVE chicken on the grill and the weather is getting nicer around here so we will get to have it more often.
Thursday- Blts for Jon and I (leftover bacon from Tuesday) and chicken nuggets and applesauce for the kids.
Friday- meatball sub casserole and salad. I found this new recipe in one of my magazines and it looks really good. If it comes out good I will share the recipe.
Saturday- Jon and I are going out with friends, the kids will have grilled cheese and carrot sticks
Sunday- Easter dinner. I am making a spiral ham, mashed potatoes, and a strawbery and banana trifle for dessert. My mom is bringing green bean casserole and my grandma is bringing rolls. I bought an almost 10 lb ham in hopes of having lots of leftovers for the following week!
Visit I'm An Organizing Junkie for more menus!
Here is the planned (but of course not set in stone) menu for the week:
Monday- leftovers for everyone. If there aren't leftovesr Jon will make keilbasa for the kids and I will eat a sandwich or salad at work.
Tuesday- brinner- scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon (make the whole lb and save half for Thursday), sliced strawberries (great sale at Stop and Shop this week!) homemade blueberry muffins and homemade chocolate chip muffins. We didn't get to it this past week or the week before so it will be on the list this week.
Wednesday- chicken quarters on the grill, rice and vegetables. I was digging through my freezer to fit new things in and found these. I LOVE chicken on the grill and the weather is getting nicer around here so we will get to have it more often.
Thursday- Blts for Jon and I (leftover bacon from Tuesday) and chicken nuggets and applesauce for the kids.
Friday- meatball sub casserole and salad. I found this new recipe in one of my magazines and it looks really good. If it comes out good I will share the recipe.
Saturday- Jon and I are going out with friends, the kids will have grilled cheese and carrot sticks
Sunday- Easter dinner. I am making a spiral ham, mashed potatoes, and a strawbery and banana trifle for dessert. My mom is bringing green bean casserole and my grandma is bringing rolls. I bought an almost 10 lb ham in hopes of having lots of leftovers for the following week!
Visit I'm An Organizing Junkie for more menus!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Lent
Lent is next week. I am not the best Catholic in the world, probably not even on my street. You will know that be reading my blog. I am rasing my children in my Catholic faith but it is not often that I talk about it here.
I want to be a better person and I am trying. One way I am trying is by teaching my children about their faith. Easter will be here soon, but I don't want to gloss over Ash Wednesday and Lent.
After reading Martin Family Moments, a post Colleen wrote about Lent inspired me on ways to teach my children about Lent. Owen is very young and won't really know what we are doing, but Madeline is almsot 4 and I think she can really begin to understand. I plan on taking her to church on Ash Wednesday. But I want to start talking to her about it before we go. I still remember one famous questions asked by a kindergartener at my school. When told they would be receiving ashes at mass that day the child becaem concerned and asked "will they be hot?" The teacher very quickly explained that no they would not and aslo what the ashes are made from. I don't want a loud question like that asked by my daughter in church!
Anway, after reading this post I was inspired on a way that I could teach Madeline about growing and becoming a better person. In the past I have been famous for trying to vive soemthing up. Some years I made it (though the year I gave up chocolate I almost lost a few friends) and other years I didn't even come close. But this year rather than give something up for 40 days(which is something that would be difficult for a 4 year old) I am thinking of doing several projects, giving to others, doing nice things for others. 40 is a lot, but I think if I am for one a week and do things each day to build up to the final activity it is doable. Plus it will involve all of us in giving. I plan to include Jon in these plans as well as Owen as much as he is capable.
Some ideas I have are:
*collecting books and donating them to a charity (my MOMS club is involved in this and I am now thinking of involving Madeline in the sorting of her books)
*donating food to the open pantry
*cooking a meal for a friend or family member and delivering it in time for dinner one night as a surprise
*making get well cards for children at shriner's hospital to make them smile
As you can see I have only four ideas and there are six weeks in Lent. I need a couple more ideas, but I think that doing these things will help teach our whole family about caring for those around us, both family, friends and strangers. In addition we will be reading the story of Lent from our bible and working on some craft projects to understand the story and the season. A last idea that I have is a jelly bean jar. I found this idea on several websites. Each time a child is noticed doing something nice for another person they put a jelly bean in the jar. The jelly beans are saved until Easter.
Those are my thoughts so far. I have until next Wednesday to get everything in order and would appreciate any suggetsions!
I want to be a better person and I am trying. One way I am trying is by teaching my children about their faith. Easter will be here soon, but I don't want to gloss over Ash Wednesday and Lent.
After reading Martin Family Moments, a post Colleen wrote about Lent inspired me on ways to teach my children about Lent. Owen is very young and won't really know what we are doing, but Madeline is almsot 4 and I think she can really begin to understand. I plan on taking her to church on Ash Wednesday. But I want to start talking to her about it before we go. I still remember one famous questions asked by a kindergartener at my school. When told they would be receiving ashes at mass that day the child becaem concerned and asked "will they be hot?" The teacher very quickly explained that no they would not and aslo what the ashes are made from. I don't want a loud question like that asked by my daughter in church!
Anway, after reading this post I was inspired on a way that I could teach Madeline about growing and becoming a better person. In the past I have been famous for trying to vive soemthing up. Some years I made it (though the year I gave up chocolate I almost lost a few friends) and other years I didn't even come close. But this year rather than give something up for 40 days(which is something that would be difficult for a 4 year old) I am thinking of doing several projects, giving to others, doing nice things for others. 40 is a lot, but I think if I am for one a week and do things each day to build up to the final activity it is doable. Plus it will involve all of us in giving. I plan to include Jon in these plans as well as Owen as much as he is capable.
Some ideas I have are:
*collecting books and donating them to a charity (my MOMS club is involved in this and I am now thinking of involving Madeline in the sorting of her books)
*donating food to the open pantry
*cooking a meal for a friend or family member and delivering it in time for dinner one night as a surprise
*making get well cards for children at shriner's hospital to make them smile
As you can see I have only four ideas and there are six weeks in Lent. I need a couple more ideas, but I think that doing these things will help teach our whole family about caring for those around us, both family, friends and strangers. In addition we will be reading the story of Lent from our bible and working on some craft projects to understand the story and the season. A last idea that I have is a jelly bean jar. I found this idea on several websites. Each time a child is noticed doing something nice for another person they put a jelly bean in the jar. The jelly beans are saved until Easter.
Those are my thoughts so far. I have until next Wednesday to get everything in order and would appreciate any suggetsions!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Advent Week 2 update
This has been a crazy busy week. Madeline and Owen look forward to the advent calendar every day, I still think that the candy is the motivator, but they love the activities! I have gotten better about prepping the activities the night before which cuts down on trouble during the activity. Some activities we do in the morning and some in the afternoon (todya's activity will actually be done after dinner.) It all depends on the lenght of time needed and whatever else we have planned for the day.
Our activities for this week:
Day 6- Getting our Christmas Tree
Day 7- hand and foot print reindeer (I traced and cut out the hand and foot prints and the kids glued on the pieces)
Day 8- Gumdrop Christmas tree (idea from chasing cheerios) note to self- there is a large difference between spcie drops and gum drops, namely the sugar coating...
Day 9- gingerbread house (messiest by far) and decorating the Christmas tree
Day 10- cotton ball snowmen (Owen was not in a participating mood this day)
On top of our advent activities we have been keeping up with our preschool work. This week we did letter S for Santa and Snowmen. This coming week we are working on letter G for Gingerbread Men (I should've saved the gingerbread house for this coming week but that is what I get for not pre planning!) We are doing a lighter load to leave time for advent and Christmas activities but are still spending about 45 minutes to an hour a day on it.
Visit Sugarplum Creations for more advent ideas!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Monthly Craft Challenge
Hurray! I got my stuff together and managed to get my craft done in time for this months challenge.
I wanted to create an advent calendar for Madeline and Owen. Each day they get a small treat of a hersey kiss and find out our activity for the day. Some days it is a craft, other days it is a move or making cookies, and sometimes it is an event we had already planned to do.
I found a great idea from Maya*Made. I cannot find her post from last year, but she also updated with another version this year. When I saw it was made of toilet paper tubes I was SO excited. An activity that would clear out my overflowing supply. I had been saving them for something.
I modified mine a little. The original idea used fabric. Instead I wrapped my tubes in paper and ribbon. I cut and folded the bottom of the tubes to make it able to hold things inside. I strung them together in my living room and numbered the tubes. Overall it took a little longer than I had thought, but Jon helped by hot gluing the ribbon on.
Each day we look for the correct number and find out our activity. Madeline and Owen both love it. I think they mostly love it for the hershey kisses, but they also get excited about the activities as well.
For more monthly craft challenge ideas visit Heidi!
Week 1 of Advent Activities
I cannot believe the first week of advent is over. We started our activities on Tuesday and so far these are we have done:
Day 1- made our Santa advent calendar (sorry no pictures yet)
Day 2- jingle bell bracelets (pipe cleaners and jingle bells, and idea I got from from Chasing Cheerios)
Day 3- made a foam craft penguin (kit I bought for $1)
Day 4- our paper wreaths:
And today we had breakfast with Santa:
playing games with Buddy the elf
Tomorrow we are going to get our tree!
Day 1- made our Santa advent calendar (sorry no pictures yet)
Day 2- jingle bell bracelets (pipe cleaners and jingle bells, and idea I got from from Chasing Cheerios)
Day 3- made a foam craft penguin (kit I bought for $1)
Day 4- our paper wreaths:
And today we had breakfast with Santa:
here are the kids decorating their cookies
playing games with Buddy the elf
Tomorrow we are going to get our tree!
I will try to be better about taking pictures this week so you can see what we have are doing. Honestly, I get so caught up in the activity that I forget until afterwards to take a picture. I am trying to get better!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tis The Season
..for spending, spending and more spending. At least that is what it feels like sometimes. Everytime I turn around there is another something to buy.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas. And I love choosing and giving gifts that people will enjoy. I try to make things personal to the receiver.
But sometimes I worry that we are forgetting the meaning of the season. This past weekend at church Father Scahill was talking about advent. The point that struck me the most was how he empasized that advent is not simply a countdown to Christmas. It is a season itself. Advent shoud be celebrated and we should be getting ready for Christmas, not simply counting down to it.
It made me think. When I taught Catholic school and CCD I did treat advent as a season. Now I don't as much. And how sad is that? I taught the meaning of advent better to my students than to my own children.
I also find myself empahsizing Santa more than Jesus when talking to Madeline about Christmas. Part of that is the kid in me and just enjoying that this is the first year she really "gets" the whole Santa thing. But is that what I want her to grow up thinking Christmas is about? In order to begin to teach her the true meaning of Christmas I looked for books at the library today. I found TONS of books about Christmas, but very few about the real meaning of Christmas or the nativity. I am having Jon drag out my box of Christmas books tomorrow becuase I want to read her and Owen stories about Jesus and the season of giving (not just getting). When choosing Christmas books I choose some fun ones, but I also try to choose books that have a lesson about Christmas as well. Even the Berenstein Bears and the Grinch have good lessons in them if you look.
Somethings I am planning to do with Madeline (and Owen as well) this season to help them learn the real meaning of Christmas:
*go through their toys and choose some to donate to children who don't have what they have
*involve them in creating gifts for family members, things that are memories not just things
*attend mass as a family each Sunday and on Christmas Eve as well
*teach the religious Christmas songs as well as the popular Jingle Bells, Rudolph and such
*involve the children in donating gift cards or food to our church for the Christmas baskets they are creating
*starting next week involve a bible verse and coloring page from dltk-kids.com that teaches the Christmas story
*look for the meaning of Christmas in all videos that we watch and emphasize them as well as the fun
*try and find the meaning behing the christmas tree and the candy cane (I had them when i taught) and involve them in our holiday plans
*take out our little people nativity and set it up correctly after reading a Christmas story
*create traditions that involve family and time rather then just things
I am not perfect, I get caught up in the gifts at times as well. But I am hoping to take this time when I am trying to teach my children to teach myself as well.
How do you keep the meaning of Christmas from getting lost at your house?
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas. And I love choosing and giving gifts that people will enjoy. I try to make things personal to the receiver.
But sometimes I worry that we are forgetting the meaning of the season. This past weekend at church Father Scahill was talking about advent. The point that struck me the most was how he empasized that advent is not simply a countdown to Christmas. It is a season itself. Advent shoud be celebrated and we should be getting ready for Christmas, not simply counting down to it.
It made me think. When I taught Catholic school and CCD I did treat advent as a season. Now I don't as much. And how sad is that? I taught the meaning of advent better to my students than to my own children.
I also find myself empahsizing Santa more than Jesus when talking to Madeline about Christmas. Part of that is the kid in me and just enjoying that this is the first year she really "gets" the whole Santa thing. But is that what I want her to grow up thinking Christmas is about? In order to begin to teach her the true meaning of Christmas I looked for books at the library today. I found TONS of books about Christmas, but very few about the real meaning of Christmas or the nativity. I am having Jon drag out my box of Christmas books tomorrow becuase I want to read her and Owen stories about Jesus and the season of giving (not just getting). When choosing Christmas books I choose some fun ones, but I also try to choose books that have a lesson about Christmas as well. Even the Berenstein Bears and the Grinch have good lessons in them if you look.
Somethings I am planning to do with Madeline (and Owen as well) this season to help them learn the real meaning of Christmas:
*go through their toys and choose some to donate to children who don't have what they have
*involve them in creating gifts for family members, things that are memories not just things
*attend mass as a family each Sunday and on Christmas Eve as well
*teach the religious Christmas songs as well as the popular Jingle Bells, Rudolph and such
*involve the children in donating gift cards or food to our church for the Christmas baskets they are creating
*starting next week involve a bible verse and coloring page from dltk-kids.com that teaches the Christmas story
*look for the meaning of Christmas in all videos that we watch and emphasize them as well as the fun
*try and find the meaning behing the christmas tree and the candy cane (I had them when i taught) and involve them in our holiday plans
*take out our little people nativity and set it up correctly after reading a Christmas story
*create traditions that involve family and time rather then just things
I am not perfect, I get caught up in the gifts at times as well. But I am hoping to take this time when I am trying to teach my children to teach myself as well.
How do you keep the meaning of Christmas from getting lost at your house?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving Activities
I cannot believe Thanksgiving is already over. Christmas is just a month away! We are starting our advent activities this week but before I post about those here are some of the things we did to get ready for Thanksgiving:
Madeline practiced her scissor skills on a turkey
Owen made his own thankful Turkey
his finished turkey
Madeline's thankful turkey
I am working on their advent calendar. We are starting a new tradition this year. I am making the advent calendar I found here at Maya*Made (mine is slightly altered) and will fill it with a activity for each day (and idea I got from Chasing Cheerios) as well as two hershey kisses (one for each kid!). We will start on Tuesday but here are some of the activities I am including:
I made these turkey cupcakes for a playgroup
Madeline practiced her scissor skills on a turkey
Owen made his own thankful Turkey
his finished turkey
Madeline's thankful turkey
I am working on their advent calendar. We are starting a new tradition this year. I am making the advent calendar I found here at Maya*Made (mine is slightly altered) and will fill it with a activity for each day (and idea I got from Chasing Cheerios) as well as two hershey kisses (one for each kid!). We will start on Tuesday but here are some of the activities I am including:
find our Christmas tree:
breakfast with Santa
Gingerbread house
hand and foot reindeer
milkbox gingerbread house playgroup
making cookies
marshmallow snowmen
felt gingerbread man activity
cotton ball snowmen
There are more, and I will try and post pictures as we go along!
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