They get an outfit (since I do not do that but at Christmas), a book and a "big gift". The big gift is usually something in the 20-30 dollar range that they have been eyeing or that I think they would like.
We have gone over that price range before but, for the most part that is where we stay!
We started this for several reasons. One, we haven't always had a lot of money. Sometimes we are doing better than others... but, we never wanted the kids to wake up on Christmas morning , on the years when things were tight, and be disappointed. We didn't want it to be about gifts. This way they KNOW what they are getting, there are no high expectations ..... no disappointments.
We also thought it was a great way to bring Christ into Christmas even more. Three gifts represent the three gifts that Christs received and so, I always really liked that aspect of it too.
Also, we have four kids. Four kids + four Christmases + four Birthdays = a TON of stuff.
I don't know about you but, I never know where to put all of the stuff that they get.
We stopped doing Birthday parties except for the big ones because it is a lot. This year I asked for a bigger gift for them all to share instead of each getting stuff ... I think that helps the gift giver too!
But, the most important of all of our reasoning is, that we didn't want Christmas to be about gifts.
This doesn't mean that we don't love to get and especially GIVE gifts... because I raise my hand up HIGH.. I love love love giving (and getting) gifts.
I am not saying those who go all out are bad! I am just saying that it isn't/ wasn't for me.
Anyway... enough about that ... as I stated earlier I love to give and receive gifts. I have been likened to a little kid at Christmas when it comes to both. I just do love it.
This year, I was especially blessed. Yes, with gifts but with an out pour of love from people around me and in some cases complete and utter strangers. People who God put into my path to make my life a little brighter. That, was a gift in itself. The blessings that these people brought into my life can not be measured in number or dollar amount . I walked away from Christmas way richer than any other Christmas!
But, there were a few very very thoughtful gifts that I received that I think are worthy of mention and WHY they are so special to me! I don't share these things to be braggy, I share them because I was blessed by the people who gave them to be because of their thoughtfulness .
Here they are in no particular order!
.jpg)
These are our Detroit Tigers ornaments that my Chiropractor made us! These are really special because he thought of us! Just knowing how much we love the Tigers, he made them for us.
We went to his office for a visit and we saw them on the office tree. My kids were pointing them out (we had NO idea at this point they were ours) and when I walked in I told him that he should make them and sell them that I would defiantly buy some!
He said "Those are yours! There is one for each of you." They were on the office tree waiting for our arrival! How sweet of him to think of us like that. The kids loved it and we came home and made our "candy cane tree" the "D Tree". Next year we have big plans (stay tuned :P )
This was a sweet gift from a beautiful lady at church. She had one and I admired it one day. Around Christmas my kids came to be with this beautiful purple gift bag. They insisted I open it and since I thought it was an ornament or something they had made in Sunday School I did. I was wrong, it was this beautiful locket with their birthstones in it and a charm that says mom (or in this picture WOW lol). She (my friend from church), bought it and gave it to my kids to give to me on Christmas. The cuties couldn't wait tho and, because of that I was able to wear it to Christmas festivities. I love it, it is a very precious gift and a sweet gesture.
A tool set! Yes, my VERY own. My mom knew I was without a way to hammer a nail or unscrew a screw and so, she bought this kit for me. It is not something I would have bought myself because, I put the kids first so, she got it for me . I am so thankful for it and will be putting it to good use! It was such a thoughtful gift! THANKS MOM :)
This is a basket o' Bath and Body Works. This is from one of those strangers that God had put into my life. This person wanted to make my Christmas a little bit brighter.. now, not only is it brighter but smells pretty too! :)
And finally my hat. I just love it. My brother and sister in law got it for me. I was so excited when I opened the hat and saw it all glittery and the pom on top. I was SUPER excited when I saw the D. It is also something I never would have bought myself . I am so giddy to have it. They know my love for the Tigers and now I can wear my pretty hat to show it.. also pictured are the bows they got my girls.. Can't even tell you how much I LOVE those (and will also sport for games :P ) .
Anyway, there were a lot of gifts we got that were awesome. I am so thankful for every single thing that my kids and I received.
These were all just so thoughtful and special and even if they were a bag of rocks, they would have been just as special to me because of the intentions of the people who got them for us!
Again this post isn't to say "Look what I got" but more to say "look at how blessed I am".
Maybe you are thinking you didn't get much? Maybe you didn't get what you wanted? Well, first of all our biggest gift was that our Lord and Savior was born to die! THANK YOU Jesus!
But, I am sure if you go through your Christmas stash and look at each gift through the eyes of the giver you can see the awesome in each gift too.
It is so easy to fall into the "woe is me" way of life. Believe me I have lived in slumps of that in my lifetime. I have promised myself NO MORE. I am from now on going to see ALL the good in ALL that comes my way.
I am going to love life even when life doesn't seem to love me!
And, with the Lords help.. I CAN see the good even when my world is crumbling down around me.
I hope that everyone can start off the new year with thoughts of what they have and not what they do not.
Count Your Blessings!
For tomorrow, your world might something you never knew. If you can't learn to count your blessings, you may never recover!
1 comment:
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas, Kristy! Our life has been so much better since we took the simpler approach to gift-giving. I almost feel sorry for other parents wading through all the chaos on Christmas morning.
Post a Comment