In my last post, I told you all about the things we've done to make Christmas more meaningful and Christ-centered. Now I want to tell you about some of our plans for future Christmases and a few things we will be doing for the first time this year. If there is one thing I've learned in all of this, change does not happen over night. In order for it to be a lasting transition, you have to take one step at a time or you get worn out and overwhelmed and don't carry on despite the best of intentions!

1. Make gifts for the kids. Although we make things for other family members, we have yet to create and give a homemade gift to one of the kids (I did make tutus like I mentioned in a previous post but that was for their birthdays so it doesn't count!). I had plans to do just that this year but with the introduction of homeschooling into our home, the past 3 months have been a whirlwind of busyness and I just never found the time to get things underway! Thankfully, the ideas I had are ones that will be just as good for the girls next year so this suggestion is being put back on the shelf for now. To be honest, I'm not sure that this is in any way a money saver. In fact, I personally would tend to spend more on supplies in the long run. It's the love and thought thats put into making something for your child, as well as the uniqueness of the item, that appeals to me!

2. Gifts of charity. This is something we are planning on doing this year. I won't say exactly what as I am sure that there are family members reading but basically, its the perfect thing to give to someone who has everything - something to someone who has nothing! Here are some examples: Gifts of Compassion and Advent Conspriacy. I'm sure there are lots of other options out there but those are 2 of my favorites. The Advent Conspiracy promo video is fantastic at putting things in perspective and says all that I could ever want to say about giving in this way at Christmas:



3. Taking from that video - the idea of giving presence. I think it is a beautiful concept and one that will hit home more with your kids than simply giving money to a good cause. Its spending time with people or helping out in ways that mean you are right in there, getting your hands dirty. For example, I take the girls to the seniors home that my Mom works at for a vist every year. We bake cookies or bring candy to share. The people at the home are so overjoyed to see children. It is so adorable to see the expressions on their faces when the kids enter the room. I will also add that this is very intimidating for kids so I don't push anything. If they want to be in my arms the whole time, thats ok. But usually by the end Piper is bouncing around like her usual self and its a good lesson in being around people that are different from you.

Other ideas that I would like to someday try:

-go to the SPCA to drop off needed supplies and spend some time with the animals. I think its important to cultivate kindness to animals in your kids especially when you have none at home. Plus this is something very much at their level. Snuggling a kitty or petting a dog is very do-able (not to mention enjoyable) for a 3 and 1 year old!

-help out at a soup kitchen in the community. I realize this is something that will have to wait until they are a tad bit older but I can't wait. I think showing your kids that there is need locally and that they can help can be impacting on their young lives. Have you ever taken your child to something like this? If so, I'd like to hear about your experience and any advice you have to offer!

-go carolling and collect for the food bank. My kids will rarely sing for me let alone a neighbor so this too will have to wait. I like that it involves an old tradition with the results of helping out your community! An alternative for younger children could be taking a special trip to the grocery store and letting them help pick out items to put in the food bank bin at the store.

Any other ideas in this department? I'd love to hear about them!

Another goal of mine is to be concerned about giving 'presence' all the time, not just Christmas. I know far too often I get wrapped up in our busy lives and forget about the needs of those around us!

4. Teach the kids to give their own things. Now at first sight, this one may seem cruel. Ask the children to give up their own precious toys?! Well, if you're like me, every year before Christmas I do a bit of a 'clean out' in their rooms. Of course, everything goes to good will and they never miss it! Then recently I had a friend come over with her kids. They gave my girls each a present, ones from their own stash of things at home. I thought it was an awesome idea. Isn't that really the true way to give? Something of your very own? Something that may cost you something? I think its a wonderful life lesson. Not that I'd ever force my daughters to give away their prized possessions...I don't think thats a lesson most people are ready for let alone a 3 year old...but I do think if you make it fun by letting them pick the item, wrap it up and give it, it might just be a worthwhile activity!

Thats all I've got on the subject for this year! I'm sure some of you are breathing a sigh of relief but hopefully I have presented some things worth adding to your family's traditions! In conclucion, I'd like to recommend a book that I've found very useful in the challenge of creating new traditions for my family: "Treasuring God in our Traditions" by Noel Piper.

Long before our first daughter was born, Matt and I knew we wanted to do Christmas a little bit differently. We were not very fond of the materialism/consumerism that our culture glorifies at this time of year and talked often of what traditions we could put in place with our own family to put the emphasis on more important things than on spending money, getting lots of things and surviving the stress.

Being a stay-at-home mom has really been the greatest catalyst for us taking all our ideals and turning them into reality. As a one income family, we don't have a ton of money to spend even if we wanted to. Instead we have gotten creative and learned to enjoy the whole season for other reasons than shopping and presents.

Now don't get the wrong picture. I am not some heroic, self sacrificing Canadian who easily says goodbye to the Christams rush. Nope, not me. I LOVE to shop and spend money and go all out. Like really love it! So this has not been the smoothest of transitions in my life. I am actually so thankful for the lack of finances so that as I gradually shift my focus, there is less temptation to slip back into my old materialistic ways.

Here are a few of the things we have worked to implement in our own little family in order to start making an effort to redeem Christmas:

1. For Matt's and my gift to each other we often buy something that is on our big purchase list but that we truly need. That way we are getting something we really needed to buy anyway but get the extra enjoyment of calling it a Christmas gift!

2. The kids get 3 gifts each from us. I remember before I had kids a co-worker of mine saying, "If Jesus only got 3 gifts, why should our kids get anymore?!". It was more of a funny comment than a serious reason for doing it but she really did put it into practice and I really respected that. So now with our own kids, we do the same thing. For our first Christmas as parents, I felt like that was going to be impossible! But in the end, I love that we do this! It makes me take the time to really research toys and think about what would truly be the best gifts for my kids. That way the gifts that we give are truly thoughtful. Not only that but we also enjoy the added benefit of our home not overflowing with toys once Christmas has all been said and done.

Here is a good post at Live Renewed on the 3 gifts concept.

3. I am only beginning to embrace this next suggestion: second hand gifts. On a general basis, I love second hand shopping. I am always thrilled to find something I wanted or needed at a second hand store or yard sale for a fraction of the cost! But for some reason, I feel its wrong to second hand shop for Christams gifts! Well, that is changing! This year I have a Dora house with the figurines that I got for $5 from our neighbor's yard sale in the summer. I've saved it and am giving it to Taitum, our household's newest Dora fan! I also found some great books at the library that were being sold for 25 cents! One is going to be Tait's book gift and the rest, which are smaller, will become stocking stuffers! And I feel GOOD about it! Over time I hope to do more of this. It will probably mean shopping well in advance so I can find things I'm looking for as gifts but in the end, I'd say its totally worth the effort!

4. We try to make gifts for our extended family as much as we can. For example, last year we did up baskets for all the grandparents in which everything was made by Piper (Taitum was a newborn at the time but I'm sure she'll be a happy participant this year!). We included Hot Cocoa Cones, a picture frame that Piper made with a picture of herself in it, a foam snowflake tree ornament with Taitum's pic on one side and handprint on the other, baking that Piper and I had done together, coffee mugs that Piper drew pictures on (this did not work very well...I bought some markers at Michael's that were supposed to be for that very purpose but they didn't work so well. I ended up only including the mugs in one basket since they had turned out OK but for the rest, let Piper pick mugs out at the Dollar Store!), candy canes with chocolate molds that we made using Wilton Frosty Friends Candy Cane Molds and a album of all the pics from Taitum's 2 month photoshoot!

I often get asked by people for ideas of what to get their grandkids or friend's kids or even their own kids for Christmas. I'm definitely not an expert but I thought I'd share some of the things my kids have LOVED playing with over the past year as well as some of the things I have found the most useful! So here goes!

Next, stuffed animals. Now normally, as a mother, I would say, "NO! Please! No more stuffed animals!". Sometimes it feels like their rooms are overrun with the things and more often than not they are not played with. But, as always, there are exceptions to the rule such as 'Eggroll'. He is Tait's all time fav. He gets loved and cuddled, pushed around in a doll stroller and at the end of the day, tucked into the crook of my baby's arm, where she rubs his ear until she goes to sleep! Honestly, I can see why she loves him so much! He is soft and squishable as are all the animals made by JellyCat and at the top of the list!

Here's the big one: Toys! And this was actually the hardest one for me because my girls are pretty simplistic with what they like to play with...Tait would rather be in my cupboards then anywhere else and Piper is all girl, spending most of her time playing dolls or with her Fisher Price My First Dollhouse. The dollhouse has been great fun for her but I have been dissappointed with the quality so I'm not sure I'd highly recommend this one. Regardless, a dollhouse is truly a must have for that little girl in your life! I'd even say it would be worth your while to spend a bit more on a really nice one. I've especially had my eye on this one as it is set up at Chapters and she loves playing with it when we're there. I am also especially fond of Calico Critters and the whole idea of collecting the different sets over time and passing it on to the grandkids someday. (My parents did that with the Fisher Price Little People my brother and I played with growing up and now my kids are playing with them and loving them!)  Alas, I can't give you any real review on these items but they are worth checking out if thats something you think the child you have in mind might be interested in!

I'm excited to share this next item with you because not only does Piper enjoy playing with it but so do I! In fact, you may have heard about them as they are gaining popularity...they're Wedgits! We only have the small single set that I found at a second hand store but it has been loads of fun!

The Playskool Ball Popper has recently been a big hit with Taitum. I'd forgotten all about it until I found it while digging around in Piper's closet. I popped some batteries in and Tait was laughing and giggling for a good hour straight as she chased the balls around and watched them pop out of the machine! Downside: 4 D batteries....

I know its not overly exciting for kids to recieve cloths for Christmas but the Children's Place Tutu Leggings are one item my girls are crazy about wearing! And its so darned cute to see the scurrying around in them! If you're into making your own gifts, here is the Plumtickled tutorial I used for making tutus for the girls for their birthday - these aren't really great for everyday wear like the tutu leggings but fun for dress up and adorable in pictures!!

In the picture to the right, also notice Taitum's shoes - they're  Pedoodles! We gave them to Tait as a first birthday gift since we thought she should have some really good footwear as she was on the verge of walking. I did my research and came up with these. Despite being a bit disturbed about paying $30 on a one-year-old's footwear, I have never once regretted my decision!

And clean teeth! I don't know about you but I want to do all I can to keep the kids pearly whites as shiny as they day they (finally!) pushed through! I came across the Angel Toothbrush one day while shopping around downtown and at the time was using one of those baby brushes that you put on your finger. If you've ever used one before you'll understand when I say that gets painful especially as more teeth arrive and the babes is feeling a need to chew on things! I prefer it not be my finger! The Angel brush was the perfect solution! Tait loves getting her teeth brushed and spends a few minutes every night chewing on the thing!

In Prague with the ever useful Combi!