The “do” family outing
is always the most anticipated gift. Over the last couple of years we’ve done
Snow
Mountain, the
Circus, and Medieval
Times. This year’s “do” is the bulk of their gifts (very small things for 1, 2 and 4) and we can’t wait for it to get here!!
In addition to the 4 Santa gifts, we give them each one (small) gift from us and they are giving each other a gift this year for the first time. It was pretty cute to shop for and, remarkably, both chose a board game for his brother :-) I still remember the year Sister and I independently chose the exact same gray stuffed animal cat for each other. So sweet.
Since I’ve droned on and on about our gift exchanging, I might as well share the last little bit. Honey and I both choose an ornament for their Christmas trees in their rooms, and we also pick an ornament for each other. The ornament is something symbolic of that year….we’ve done everything from sports to cartoons to trips.
Speaking of Honey, I’ve got the best $6 gift ever for him and a surprise for him and the boys. I usually end up giving him something lame (ie. clothes) so I’m super excited for 12/25 to roll around this year.
xoxo
I love you gifting tradition. We do Christmas ornaments, too – one family ornament & we buy 2 each of ornaments fir the boys to represent the year. When they are grown & take their ornaments with them, I'll still have those ornaments on my tree!
Can't wait to see what surprises you have under your tree! xo
My children always got 3 gifts and then a homemade one. They also made gifts for each other. It was so fun for everyone to be hiding in their room making gifts. Love your tradition, it is perfect and especially the family "to do" gift. Hugs, Marty
I love your "to do" gift and added that to my list of gifts for my own littles this Christmas. Thanks for the great idea.
I know a few people who use that gifting system and I love it!
Santa brings 3 gifts (items from their lists) & then Hubby & I get them each 3 things: something to read, wear & do. We used to go crazy overboard with gifts (umm like days to open them all), but now we really enjoy our scaled back version much more.
And when my eldest complained about only 3 gifts I told her, "baby Jesus only received 3 gifts. You certainly don't think you're more important than He is, right?" She thought for a second & said, "absolutely not"…it was so cute. My kiddies also exchange gifts with each other. The boys just give the gifts I shop for but my daughter shopped for her brothers' gifts this year & she is really excited to give them.
Amelia
Love this Amanda! Can't wait to hear what the boys "do" is this year! And, I am intrigued by the $6 gift for hubby!
I love your tradition! I wish I had started something like that years ago…I don't know if I could switch over now! We buy special ornaments that represent something from the year also. I love looking at the tree and remembering each year!
-Shelley
We're doing the same thing this year! I cannot wait either!
I love this idea and wish I had thought of it when my children were younger. We do have friends that we do Thrift Store Christmas with. You can check out what we did last year at numbersandnails.com and search Thrift Store Christmas. It was loads of fun.
I always have such a hard time finding something for my husband for Christmas. His birthday is December 24th so I am usually out of ideas before I get around to a Christmas present for him. So please share your $6 gift for "Honey" with us so that we may "borrow" your idea. :)
I can't share here in case he pops in and reads it :-). Email me. However it's something only he would love so don't get too excited :-)
We love this tradition as well – we do Something they want, need, wear, read – might have to change "to do"
A great gift tradition! Can't wait to see the ornaments you have chosen.
xo
Pat
Our children are now out of college and starting their 'grown-up' life and your '4 gift' idea is perfect. Like all the other followers on here we are so anxious to hear what the boys 'TO DO" is and especially what the $6 item is….our honey's might like it too!
I love your "Santa Sack". Where did you find them?
I found them at Walmart for $1 each after Christmas a few years ago!
I would be embarrassed to say how many gifts my only child gets, in fact I really couldn't say because I couldn't begin to count! I LOVE the 4 gift idea ! My problem is that I enjoy shopping for her because she really doesn't ask for much. She is grateful for everything so it's really not her its me! I am picking up things for her the whole year long and put them into a gift closet. How do you resist buying them more? I think the 4 gifts is wonderful but how do you decide what 4 things to get and not end up with more?
Tina, It's just how we've always done it so none of us really know differently. I don't feel tempted to shop much throughout the year because I feel like they change their minds about what they like so often! I have nothing against an abundance of gifts. This is just one thing we keep simple :-) Honey and I usually start making a list right around Thanksgiving for each category. We tweak it based on what they get for their birthdays and go from there.