Christmas on Purpose: Simple, Easy Gift Ideas for the Kids

I think twinkle lights make things a little bit magical, don’t you?  And once these bad boys were up today I just wanted to sit down with some sort of hot beverage and gaze at them.

 

But then the kids something something about school and I realized that it’s ballet day and youth group and I needed to get a little bit of work from home work done too. 

Poof.  Just like that, it goes by.  There go all my ideas for the day. 

I always think that during the Christmas season every non-Christmasy thing should stop.  Appointments should not be made or kept, work should not have to be done, checkbooks shouldn’t have to be balanced (wait, do people still do that?  I know I do, by hand, like a grandma-it makes me happy).  But life does go on, even during Christmas.  Sometimes we have to do the necessary things that aren’t really that fun.  But because I long for more Christmas fun, and less normal work during December I usually try to keep things simple.  Especially when it comes to gifts.  When the kids were little I was typically stumped.  What on earth to get these three little wonders who lovingly believe in Santa?  And how to do that without going into debt?  I was stumped until two years ago when I read somewhere that a mom buys just 4 things for each child:  something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.  Genius.  So that’s what we do.  We keep the gifts simple, and easy and try really hard not to overcomplicate things.  We also set a budget at the beginning of the shopping time for each and every single thing we think we’ll need to buy.  It keeps us accountable. 

We also try really hard to buy classic things, not the current fads.  This is tough, but Sarah of Clover Lane always has great ideas.  Here’s a few of her ideas to get you going:  her family’s favorite toys and their favorite games. 

How about you?  What are your favorite gift ideas?

Christmas on Purpose: keep the main thing the main thing

We are just coming back from a wonderful week away with family.  There was rich food, riotous, laughter, late nights, shopping, and more.  It was wonderful.

(sneak peak of family pics my sister took)

We came home late last night, grateful and happy and ready to be sleeping in our own beds.  But this morning reality hit me.  It could be a lingering head cold that is clouding my thinking, but I think it’s just mostly the overwhelming urge to do.  Make lists, go shopping, finish setting out the Christmas décor, do laundry, etc, etc, etc.  In an instant I was snapping at the kids and feeling frazzled.

Thankfully, gracefully, the still small voice of the Lord broke through. 

Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Be happy, be praying, be thankful-no matter what.  No matter the circumstances, drippy noses and to do lists and laundry up to our ears.  Give thanks.  Be happy.  Pray. 

That’s all God wants me to do today.  And in the gratitude my stresses melt away.  And the thankfulness causes me to remember that Jesus did not come so that I could be a basket case over all that I feel like I have to do this season.  He didn’t come so my twinkle lights would hang just right.  Or so the cookies wouldn’t burn.  Or so that I could shop for perfect gifts for everyone on my list.

He came because this world was desperate for a savior, was dying in sin and didn’t even know it.  He came to extend grace and mercy and peace.  He came because of love.

Today I am challenged to keep the main thing the main thing this Christmas.  If it’s decorated just so or not, if the house is clean or not, if the presents are all wrapped super nice, or not.  None of that really matters, especially if I focus on those instead of on the life giving gift of my savior.  The gift that Jesus brings is what matters, and that is it.

Don’t get overwhelmed, don’t go into a tizzy, today just be happy and pray and be thankful. 

Christmas on Purpose: Change

Keep change on hand for the Salvation Army kettle.  My kids love to drop some in, I love to also.  Especially when the person ringing the bell is enthusiastic and happy.  Because you know they aren’t always that way. 

But it’s long been an important thing to have change on hand for the kids, because they always ask and I want them to know the joy of giving too.  It’s simple but it’s an easy way to remind my kids that Christmas isn’t about us, but about others.  And that not everyone has everything they need, or even want, at Christmas.  It’s a way to extend ourselves to others, and a way to share the love of Jesus with others too. 

Christmas on Purpose: Keep Christmas Past in the Past

Let Christmas past stay there.  Maybe you’ve had some less than awesome Christmas seasons.  Tragedy or loss, sickness or disaster may mark your memories more than joy to the world does.  Or maybe you’re just sad and nostalgic for the kind of Christmas you had as a child.  There might be a temptation to go there, to wallow in those Christmas pasts.  We might go there because it’s comfortable.  It’s all we know to live in the past. 

But the past is called the past for a reason.  It is the Christmas that was.  Right now is the Christmas you have.  And that is the Christmas that should be enjoyed.  Don’t let the past events of Christmas keep you from enjoying the Christmas you have right now.  That doesn’t mean we minimize or lessen the loss and sorrow that might have happened.  There is real loss and sorrow that rips a soul right open and leaves it bare, like an exposed wound.  But healing doesn’t come by agitating the wound.  Healing comes by acknowledging it happened and then moving forward to what is ahead. 

In the midst of the real loss and real sorrow and the pain and the memories there is hope.  There is always hope.  It’s hope that appeared to weary shepherds who were working the night shift.  Dirty, smelly men who tended sheep.  I can hardly imagine that the life of a shepherd was easy; a nomadic wandering life looking after smelly, dumb animals.  But on that night so long ago smelly shepherds were the first to receive the greatest message of hope ever given.  Christ had come, a savior, one whose very name speaks of God coming to earth.  They received a message of hope.  That message is the same today as it was way back then.  It invites to move forward, to strain towards what is ahead. 

Forgetting what is behind and pressing to what is ahead, I press on…. (Philippians 3:13)

Embrace the Christmas that is now, not the Christmas that was.

Christmas on Purpose: Celebrate Advent

Remember making paper chains?  I loved doing that as a child to count down the days until Christmas.  As the number of chains dwindled down I grew more and more excited for the day when there would be only one left, one more to go until Christmas morning.  The activity I loved so much as a young girl is now one the highlights of Christmas activities I do with my children now.  Of course back then the meaning was a bit skewed for me.  But now as I grow older I completely understand the meaning behind the advent calendar.  And it makes me anticipate the coming of Christmas that much more.

Advent simply means arrival or coming in Latin.  It specifically relates the arrival or coming of the Christ.  Advent is celebrated in the weeks and days leading up to December 25th.  The way to mark or count down the can be done by week, four weeks before Christmas, or by day.  At our house we use an Advent calendar that we mark by day, starting December 1st and ending on December 25th.

Why celebrate Advent?

Advent is more than just counting the days until Christmas, it is purposefully marking each day until the coming of the Christ.  Many years ago people were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, they yearned for his coming but they didn’t know when it would be.  Now that Christ has arrived we celebrate Advent as a way to commemorate his coming.  We are re-enacting the days so long ago when God’s people looked for his arrival on earth.

Advent is really about preparing our hearts for Christ’s arrival, getting ready to accept him into our hearts.  It is about making room for him in our hearts and our lives.  We do this as a family because we want our kids to realize that Christmas is about more than presents and fun movies and cookies, but it’s about receiving the greatest gift of all.  I think we need to have our hearts ready for this, ready to accept his great gift of love and grace and mercy.

Our advent calendar includes a variety of things.  Daily we include a little piece of candy, because we all like candy.  But we usually include a mix of gifts and activities.

Here are some things we have done:

small sticker books

a special hot chocolate mug (usually picked up second hand, or at a huge discount after Christmas the prior year)

a nutcracker (also picked up at a discount)

small thrift store finds, they’re full of little snow globes or ornaments this time of year

a special Christmas book

Christmas pencils, pens, earrings or other small things found at the dollar store

We also include activities for the day: (these are usually a surprise thing for the kids, the parents “elves” set the schedule each night after the kids go to bed)

Christmas tree hunting

A fancy dinner

Christmas movie night

sledding

shopping for adopt a family

baking treats and sharing with friends and neighbors

ice skating

shopping day

craft day

visiting an assisted living facility

choosing an angel from the angel tree (buying a gift for someone in need)

This is just a sampling of what we do, it doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy or even expensive.  It’s more about our hearts and embracing the tradition.  It’s one of those things we do as a family, and it’s enjoyed by all of us.

Interested in more?  Here a few links to get your going:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/561389@N24/

http://www.craftideas.info/html/advent_calender.html

http://ourhouse.typepad.com/full_circle/2007/12/advent.html

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/11/2011-advent-calendar-ideas.html

http://www.tipjunkie.com/christmas-advent-calendar/

Do you do advent activities with your family?

Christmas on Purpose-Day One: Make a Schedule

Welcome!  I’m so glad that you’ve joined me for Christmas on Purpose!  I’m coming off a food coma, and you just might be too.  Or maybe you were up at o’dark thirty to shop.  Whatever your day after Thanksgiving looks like I’m so glad you’re here.

What is “Christmas on Purpose” all about?

Well, it’s just a little bit of daily inspiration for all of us to keep the main thing the main thing during the Christmas season.  We all know it can be crazy busy.  We all know we can get stressed.  We all know we can take on a bit too much.  And in the midst of all that we sometimes forget the reason for Christmas. 

I know I can be distracted by all the trappings and glitter and shiny things, and I end up focusing on those more than I focus on the birth of Jesus.  And I’ve always said, “Jesus didn’t come as a baby so I could have my own idea of a perfect Christmas.”  So Christmas on Purpose is my attempt to remember the meaning of the holiday, and to share 30 days of experiencing Jesus and purpose during the Christmas season. 

So today, on day one let’s keep it simple okay? 

I’ll just share this quick tip to keep Christmas sane:  make a schedule.  Get your calendar out and mark all the activities you know you will have, and the ones you know you want to have.  Our calendar this year includes a few children’s performances and a Christmas party or two. 

But I will also schedule in the fun things, things we aren’t at all obligated to do but really want to do.  The things we really enjoy doing.  Because I know that sometimes it’s hard to fit in the things we really enjoy if we don’t actually put them on the calendar.  Things like ice skating and sledding and baking cookies. 

But as I schedule these things I also keep in mind the need to be flexible, there might not be enough snow to sled.  Or we just really might not feel like making cookies on the appointed cookie day.  And that’s okay.  The schedule serves us at Christmas time, we don’t serve it.  And that’s how we keep a bit of sanity.  And one thing that’s always on my schedule, especially during the holidays?  Rest, clear days with nothing scheduled so we can indulge in a Christmas movie marathon, or go out sledding one more time or take an impromptu drive to see Grandma.  They’re flex days, and no matter the season those days are needed.

What kind of things are your schedule this season?

snow

We had our first snow this week.  It was surprising and exciting. 

I think God knows we need a little something special when he sends us snow.  I love the way it slows things down.  It’s arrival invites us to linger and play and laugh, then sip hot chocolate and do it all over again.

Snow is like that.  It’s irresistible to the kid and the kid at heart. 

And so we played.  Well, they played more than I did.  But they did play, all day long.  And then the next day I enjoyed a nice run through the snow spotted trails.  We all enjoyed the lovely white gift of snow.

Snow feels like magic.  We missed the first snow of the year last year because we were out of town.  I was feeling bittersweet about leaving home for Thanksgiving this year simply because I did not want to miss that first magical snowfall.  It was right on time for us this year, God is pretty cool like that. 

I think it’s been all played out as it slowly melted away yesterday and today. 

But the coming of the first snowfall marks the beginning of a wonderful winter, filled with holidays and evenings by the fire and cozy blankets with hot chocolate.  And I’m so thankful for all of those things.

I’m thankful for well used snow too.  At our house it doesn’t lay all pretty and smooth like in some other yards.  Every bit is used and reused until it all melts away.  I like it so much because it reminds me of the very excited kids who will gladly postpone lessons and everything else to go out and play.  If I’m delighted that much by my kids enjoying God’s creation, how much more delighted is God when we enjoy what he’s created just for us?

 

I think it makes him pretty pleased, don’t you? 

time

Today I am grateful for the gift of time.  I was supposed to be gone overnight tonight but the weather changed my plans.  At first I was a bit bummed about it.  I mean, who doesn’t want a night away every once in a while, and with it the opportunity to be with some fabulous ladies and eat breakfast without a child hovering inches from your face?  It can’t just be me. 

But after a moment of saying, “oh man, that kind of sucks”  I started feeling like I had just been given an extra day.  Who doesn’t want just one more day, at least every once in a while? 

I’m grateful for the gift of time; extra time to be with the people I love, extra time to fluff up the house for Christmas, extra time to get my ducks in a row before Thanksgiving.  What started out as a disappointment has turned into quite a wonderful little gift.  I just had to shift my perspective and roll with it. 

So as the wind of an incoming storm batters the house I’m grateful that I’m here to enjoy it.  I’m grateful that my kids are tucked away in bed and cozy.  I’m grateful to hear the rumble of the truck as my husband pulls into the drive.  And grateful for the possibilities of an extra day tomorrow.  It makes me think I should be very careful not to waste it.  And then it makes me think that we should all be very careful not to waste the gift of each day, every single day we have is special but so often we get lost in the mundane things.  We forget to revel in what lies before us, life should be enjoyed.

So I am going to enjoy my Thursday.  And I’ll leave with a bit of Christmas inspirations, via flickr, via pinterest.  Isn’t it pretty?

Christmas on Purpose

A while back a whole bunch of bloggers got together and devoted the month of October to blogging daily about a particular subject.  There was 31 days of Lovely Limitations, 31 day of Real, 31 days of Gratitude, 31 days to a better picture, and 31 days inspired for the holidays-plus a whole lot more.  I thought it would be fun to join in, but I really couldn’t even think of what I could possibly say for 31 days straight.

So I decided to blog for 30 days straight.  One less day makes all the difference. 

Christmas can be stressful, we all know that.  There is always much to do, much to spend, much on the calendar.  It all seems like a little too much, doesn’t it?  I got to wondering about what would happen if I was intentional about injecting meaning and purpose into all of my December activities, the sacred and the silly.  I thought about how I could find meaning in this busy season, and I came up with an idea.  30 days to Christmas on purpose, 30 days to finding meaning throughout the Christmas season.  This is mostly for me because I don’t want to get to Christmas morning wondering how I got there so fast, and wondering why I didn’t stop to savor the season more.

So beginning on November 25th I will be posting every day.  Yes, every single day, until Christmas eve.  That will be 30 days of ideas and prayers and tips to putting more meaning into our Christmas season.  Some will be simple, some will be profound, some will be silly.  They will most likely be short, because you and I both know that time is usually of the essence come December.  But my prayer is that these reminders for you, and for me, will be encouraging and helpful and point us all back to the true meaning of Christmas.

Sound good?  I’d love for you to join me for 30 days of doing Christmas on purpose. 

And if that’s not enough, Nancy over at the Goat and the Kid is hosting some awesome blogging fun too! 

Christmas is for parties, and fun and inspiration.  So mark your calendars….it’s gonna be a blast!  

laundry confessions

why do I hate this job so much, when it only takes 6 minutes?

Really, it isn’t that hard, right?

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Happy Monday friends!

Over here we are practicing gratitude, going through Christmas decorations, and catching up on mountains of laundry.

I’m feeling grateful for the snow in this weeks forecast, good gluten free products (and all your great tips last post), happy children who say “OK” when asked to do things, and a day home to play catch up.

Hope your week is off to a great start too!

good bye

Dearest Gluten,

It gives me great pain to write you this letter, but it must be done.  We have had a good run you and I.  Thirty three years of baked, floury goodness-we have a long history indeed.  But it is with deep regret and sorrow that I am breaking up with you.  It seems that my body and your gluteny goodness are no longer a compatible pair.  This is very hard, and I can honestly say that you will be greatly missed.  You have been with me for a long, long time.  You have faithfully been there for yummy birthday cakes, comforting cookies, delicious sandwiches, and the traditional Thanksgiving stuffing that I have eaten every year of my life.  But those will be no more.  I am trying to look at this as a new chapter in life, one in which I get to experiment with new flavors and new flours to fill the large void you have left. I can easily say that I will miss you.  However I will not miss the discomfort you seem to be causing me, the vertigo and dizzy spells and lingering brain fog that has been hovering over me.  If eliminating you eliminates these things then I know it will be worth it.

My life will be different without you, but I believe that it will be for the better.  Although I will miss you and apple pie as I know it, I know that there are other good and yummy things on the horizon.

Goodbye,

Gina

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The gluten free adventures are beginning around here, and yes I know writing a letter may be a bit over dramatic.  But it felt good to get it out.  I kind of wish I had an old school typewriter to do it on, pounding on that keyboard is a lot more effective for dealing with emotions.

It is different and probably won’t always be easy, but I know this is going to be good.  I’m looking forward to learning new recipes and experimenting with new flours.  Eating out may just be tricky, but I’m okay with that.  And if I eat out less, I’ll be saving money, right? 

I figure I can be one of two ways about this.  I can complain and pout and carry on, or I can accept where I am right now and joyfully embrace this new adventure.  And honestly?  If doing this helps those pesky Meniere's symptoms then it’s totally okay with me.  And after a particularly rough go of it the last few weeks I am happy to report that now, without gluten, I have a clear head that feels like it’s correctly attached to my neck, which means I can teach lessons to my kids without having to lay my head on the desk.  That’s got to be worth something, right?

So in honor of my new independence from flour, I baked bread today.  Gluten free.  Multi-grain.  Yummy.  And then I ate a sandwich, which I haven’t done in quite some time.  It almost felt naughty, but it wasn’t.  It was good. 

And that is all I have to say about that.  I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer about gluten and food and making everything about that, cause no one wants to hear about how I can’t eat this or that. 

But I’d sure appreciate it if you happened to know of any good gluten free recipes.

taking back Thanksgiving

I’m thinking about starting a campaign. 

No, I am not running for office.

It’s kind of a grass roots effort, it’ll probably start with a small minority.

I won’t be occupying anything, except my own home.  But, I will be working to make a change.  At least within my four walls.

I think Christmas is wonderful.  The heart of the season is amazing and beyond compare.  But the commercialism of the season is a bit too much.  When Christmas displays start appearing in October or even September I shudder.  I shudder not because I’m a grinch but because of a society that glosses over a heart of thankfulness and pushes straight to a heart of consumerism.  Buying this and that, making wish lists and feeling a need to purchase the latest Christmas decorations all take our focus from what really matters.

But how can we truly embrace the heart of Christmas if we haven’t stilled our hearts long enough to embrace a season of thankfulness?  To mark our days with gratitude and quiet contemplation of all that we have been blessed with.  And what if we spend an entire month focusing on a thankful heart?  Wouldn’t our hearts be like fertile soil, ready to accept the greatest gift of all?

This month I want to be intentional about gratitude.  Yes, I will be preparing for Christmas.  What busy mom isn't?  But I will shift the focus of my heart.  I will focus on who I need to say thank you to and what I need to say thank you for.

Are you interested in joining me?  Here are a few things we’re doing around our house to foster gratitude:

study gratitude, what the word means and how we can act it out

write thank you notes and letters of appreciation to family, neighbors, friends

make a thankful tree, a simple construction paper tree that we’ve taped to the fridge.  each day we all add a leaf with what we are thankful for on it

read Thank you, Sarah (the woman who saved Thanksgiving).  We found it at the library, it’s a wonderful story about a woman who really did save Thanksgiving.  It gives the history of the holiday and is full of delightful drawings.  I cried each time I read it, because it’s that cool of a story

It’s not too difficult to incorporate feelings of gratitude into your regular routine.  The result is what Madame Blueberry of Veggie Tale fame sang of, “a thankful heart is a happy heart.”  It is so true.

So today I want to say thank you to you.  All of you who read and comment here.  I appreciate that you show up and I treasure your comments.  What started out as an effort to keep family up to date on our lives has turned into much more.  Thank you for joining me on the journey.

I'm linking up with Heather today for some lovely inspiration.