When I started dating my future husband, his children were seven, five, four, four, and 2 ¾. I had met each of the kids maybe once or twice when I found myself in line to see Santa at the Nordstrom flagship in downtown Seattle. Now, if you live in a city with kids, you totally know the chaos of waiting in line to see Santa at a department store. It takes forever. Forever. Like best ride at Disneyland forever. And here I was in a new relationship with a man with five children under the age of eight waiting to see Santa. It was a bit surreal.
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I’m a little late on this post. If I had it together, I would have posted this in October when I was trying to decide which Christmas cards to send out. But that is ok because this post is not about what Christmas cards you should make or buy. It is about why you should make or buy something, anything, and send it right away.
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Years ago, my friend Sharon shared several of her family Christmas traditions that I thought were just genius. My favorite was her story-a-day tradition. As she packed up Christmas decorations after the holidays, Sharon would wrap all of the kids’ Christmas books in leftover paper. The wrapped books were pulled out at the beginning of the following December and her kids opened one book per day to read together before bedtime. Brilliant. Wrapping things the kids already owned? Reading a Christmas story together at the end of the day? What’s not to like?
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Can you believe someone will actually pay me for my opinion? I can’t either. I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life. This post is brought to you by the fine folks over at Wayfair. All opinions in this post are mine (naturally).
I get a lot of questions about kitchen tools. Actually, let me take that back. I don’t get enough questions about kitchen tools. I wish people would talk to me before they register for junky kitchen stuff when they get married. You don’t need a plate warmer, people (and don’t get me started on wipe warmers in a baby registry). You don’t need a monogramed door mat. What you need is a good pepper grinder and at least one damn good pot. Lucky for you, Christmas is around the corner. It’s time to rectify that horrible registry situation with a few key purchases. Ready or not, here come my recommendations.
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For the last several years (read: since we got married), my husband has been trying to get me to tone down the Christmas gifts. I try, really, I do. But sometimes I forget what I’ve already bought then feel like I have to “make it even”. Sometimes it isn’t even me that makes the tree look like Santa has dropped his entire toy load in our living room. It’s simply the fact that we have seven kids and they have five grandparents on our side of the family alone plus cousins and aunts and uncles and godparents. It isn’t much different than when I was growing up. Lots of kids equals lots of gifts, even if you personally don’t buy a whole lot.
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The Elf on a Shelf is everywhere these days. It makes me kind of sad to see all of the products on which our elf’s face have been plastered. My kids, of course, think it is the coolest thing ever. “Look, Mom! I just saw Felix!” I still love our elf. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Felix Navidad.
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It is fair to say that I am on Pinterest all the time. This time of year is no exception as the anticipation of the holiday season begins. I really try to get my shopping and meal planning for Christmas done before Thanksgiving so that I can enjoy making things with my kids during the holidays. I also spend some time planning out and preparing for specific crafts so that the kids have an easy and festive craft-break afterschool.
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