And the winner of yesterday's canvas is:
| Beth Ann (mbs & j) |
Random.org chose your entry:
We open our gifts on Christmas morning and no change there after I got married. Once we had the kiddos, we all open one gift Christmas Eve - and it's always new pajamas! Last year we got my son red "Cars" pjs and discovered later on Christmas day, that they had rubbed off red all over his new stuffed beagle pup AND his bed covers! No more red pj's that aren't washed first!
Hugs to you for your constant inspiration to us all and a blessed and merry holiday to you!!
Beth Ann
Congratulations!!! Email me at gitzengirl@gmail.com with your mailing address :)
Here's today's giveaway:
Even though we had a lot of fun remembering our favorite and most memorable gifts, to me remembering Christmas is really all about the moments.
There was one Christmas after my sister Laura was divorced that she and her two munchkins spent the holiday at my parents' house. My sister Janette and I are both single and were used to it just being the two of us with Mom and Dad over Christmas, with the whole family getting together the weekend after. As much as we enjoyed our quiet, more intimate celebrations... having two little kids in the house made Christmas have magic again.
Thomas and Becca were reluctant to go upstairs to sleep on Christmas Eve, so Grandma had the bright idea of Santa motivating them. We were all in the living room (minus Grandma who was getting ready for bed, *wink *wink) when there was a loud rap on a window in the other room.
*BOOM*BOOM*BOOM*
Becca flew out of my arms and behind Grandpa's chair faster than I've ever seen a child move (apparently I wasn't security enough in that moment), and Thomas was close behind her. Grandpa declared that Santa must be waiting for them to get to sleep and the two of them tore upstairs with their mom like their heels were on fire.
The funniest part was looking at mom when she came back in; she obviously hadn't considered the snowdrifts she had to walk through to get to the window and she was soaking wet... the things we do for kids!
Laura came down to get their gifts from Santa set up, and I went and laid down with the two little ones... Thomas' heart was still almost beating out of his chest as he told me he was sure he heard the bells. In that moment, I was pretty sure I'd heard them too.
It was so fun to get up that next morning and see their faces and play with their toys. I think my sisters and I had about as much fun with all the stuff as Thomas and Becca. I doubt they remember the gifts they got, but I wonder if they remember Santa rapping on the window that night.
[Below: two pages of a mini-book from that Christmas]
I know with money being tight for many this year, there are a lot of people who are coming up with ways to make Christmas more about the moments rather than the number of presents. My friends Meg and Scott have always had a tradition of getting three gifts for each of their kids every year (one for their body, mind and spirit), just as the wisemen brought three gifts for baby Jesus. I love how that ties all of the gift-giving together with what we are really celebrating, and it also helps their kids to have realistic expectations every year rather than always trying to outdo the year before.
Answer this question in the comment section to win today's canvas:
What are the ways you make Christmas about the
moments and meaning instead of just the gifts?
We have a birthday party for Jesus every year on Christmas morning. We make a cake the night before, and in the morning we put candles on it and sing happy birthday to Jesus. It helps the kids remember why we celebrate Christmas at all and that when we open presents it is because God gave us the greatest gift of all on Christmas day---Jesus.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am the "family photographer," I will try to find photos from the previous year that have significance and give them as gifts. Candid shots and quasi-posed portraits. This year I am giving my sister a photo I took of her and our dad standing in front of the Mississippi River when we visited him in New Orleans this past Thanksgiving. It's a long story, but he and Mom divorced after 41 years of marriage, about 7 years ago. Because he was the one that left, my sister and I had some anger issues with him, but we've come to see his side of events a little more clearly and are working on restoring our relationships with him. My sister was especially angry with him, and I just love this photo of the two of them, because you can see a sparkle in her eyes because she and her earthly daddy have "kissed and made up."
ReplyDeleteThis year we had a few old home movies made into DVDs and we are going to use the time we usually spend opening one gift after another, to watch the old movies and remember...
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you yet how much fun this is? I love A Canvas A Day!!!
I think today's is so insightful :)
And thanks for sharing the scrapbook pages from your Christmas with you sister and her little ones...I could just feel the love you were all giving Laura during her difficult time.
Okay...I can't close without pointing out that you just made casual mention of the snow in your story...SNOW on CHRISTMAS EVE!?!?!?
Oh, this is a big thing for me. I could die happy if that ever happened here:)
Probably the most memorable thing we did was on Christmas Eve before the late candle light church service, my parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins would come over to our house for dinner and then we would sing Christmas carols for hours. It was fun and everyone laughed alot because none of us are good singers like you Sara. :) We had a lot of special moments on Christmas Eve with the extended family singing and then going to church at 11PM. On the way to church we'd drive my grandparents around and we would look at the Christmas lights and sip hot chocolate. That was more fun that opening any presents!
ReplyDeleteCandace
:)
PS-Give Riley a big hug from Tini and I!
I had to visit you several times yesterday to read all the great comments! This is so fun : )
ReplyDeleteWhile we were growing up our church group would go caroling the Wednesday night before Christmas to anyone unable to leave their house : ) One of the stops was always at my grandpa's and grandma's house. Only this one year, he was in intensive care in the hospital. Our pastor, knowing how much it would mean to grandpa, got permission for us to carol through the halls of the hospital so that grandpa wouldn't be left out. The only thing we brought was our voices, our scriptures and prayers, but the way it reflected in the eyes of the recipients I could tell it brought CHRISTmas.
Now for the boys I am still figuring this out! I hope for some good suggestions through your comments! Thanks for letting me share : )
What a wonderful question! Because we're a very small family and until this year there haven't been little ones around, I think our 'moments' have been just being. We didn't have to do anything special. We simply hang together Christmas Eve and again on Christmas day, munching, laughing (always laughing and laughing and then laughing some more). This year we have a one-year-old with us but still it shall be much the same. Four adults, one little one, laughing and hanging together.
ReplyDeleteWe started several years ago with three gifts only for Christmas, plus Santa. Why? Because that's what Jesus got and that reminds us and our girls of the real meaning of Christmas. We also make the extra effort to give to others. This year my kids ransacked toys and closet to give away to other kids without toys and we hand picked gifts from "World Vision for Christ" to give to someone else in our friends and families name.We also spend time thinking about gifts so they are meaningful and not just a present for a present's sake. There is much joy that comes from that.
ReplyDeleteOh, almost forgot, my most favorite thing that keeps us all focused on Christ throughout the season is the Christmas music. We listen to our favorites and all the rich music focused on Christ's birth from Christian artists. Our favorite this year is the Casting Crowns new album.
I have had to really think about this one. This year is a real "downer" for me. I am soooo used to having a crowd around me at Christmas time, and now, it will just be the three of us...
ReplyDelete...When the kids were younger, we used to make cocoa, pile them in the car (and I mean PILE - we outgrew a regular van years and years ago, so we either had to take two cars or break the law and put younger ones, on older ones laps) and drive around town to look at all the Christmas lights and decorations.
We would also pick a family from our church, who we knew were somewhat "down on their luck". We would buy small gifts for each family member, and buy groceries and candy for them. We would all get together and wrap the gifts. We would put everything into a laundry basket, and put a big bow on it. We would drive to their neighborhood, and stop about 2 or 3houses down from their house. Dear husband would turn off the car lights. Our oldest son, would get the basket and quietly creep up to the front door. He would ring the bell and then run like crazy to the side of the house closest to our car. We would all hold our breath until someone answered the door. Once he had to ring the bell three times before they looked down and discovered the basket. As soon as they went inside, the car lights would come back on, so that our boy would know that it was safe to come out from his hiding place.
The kids loved doing this, and I don't think that any of them every let the "secret out of the bag".
In retrospect, it was a miracle that we never got stopped by the cops! Now days, I don' know if I would dare try to pull off a stunt like we did back then...
...but then, just maybe...there might be a laundry basket filled with goodies...in my near future:)
We do the three gifts also and I love it. One thing we do with our boys is read a Christmas story every night in the month of December. We have several books, but also check some out at the library. They really enjoy taking turns picking out the story for the evening. This year has been pretty special, because my oldest is learning to read. He is going to help read from the Bible this year!
ReplyDeleteWe do three gifts too! Three from mommy and daddy (usually Christmas jammies, slippers and a book or stuffed animal) and three from Santa (items on their wish list).
ReplyDeleteThis year, we're also doing three charities: the senior program at the YWCA collects gifts for seniors that have nobody to celebrate the holidays with; Clare House is a food pantry and social service agency run through our local Catholic churches; Brotherhood Tree is and "adopt a family" type program in our community. We've involved the whole family in the shopping process this year, and the two older kids really seem to get it this year. They also "get" the fact that Christmas is about Jesus' birthday. I think this year we'll start a tradition of holding a birthday party for Jesus, like so many commentors do!
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I am loving reading all the posts! This is my first time to comment on your blog. I love it!
This year I am doing something completely different with my son. He is 12 and an only child. It is bittersweet to see him growing up so fast but I am loving the young man I see before me. I decided that I want more time with my family. So, each day Trey gets a scroll with a family activity written on it. Then our little family will do that activity together. I love this because it actually makes us slow down and enjoy each other instead of focusing on all the hectic stuff associated with this special time of year. It also reminds us to appreciate each other and to value our time together.
We have baked cookies, gotten hot cocoa and gone Christmas light looking, played board games, watched Christmas movies....you name it. The best part is that it is free! We are creating memories that I hope last a long time.
Thanks for letting me share our family Christmas idea. Merry Christmas Everyone!
:)Lynn
I think the best part is playing games together or going for a walk and talking together. Especially with grandchildren that do not live near.
ReplyDeleteWe share our good fortune with others. Donating to the coat drive,
ReplyDeleteholiday toy drive, and food pantry.
We also try to do special things
for our older neighbors if they need
help during the winter/holiday season. The warmth from doing kind
things goes way beyond any gift.
I made an Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan's Purse) shoebox for a girl, age 5-8. (I got to choose the gender and age and it was so much fun buying little things for her). And I liked decorating the shoebox as well. The shoeboxes are going to Letland, Uganda and a couple of other countries. I'd love to see her face when she gets it :D
ReplyDeleteBesides that, I'm all about Advent. I'm preparing for Christmas, waiting for and expecting Jesus. I do an awesome devotional, and focussing on Advent really helps me to prepare dor Dec. 25. It's really nice. This way it's not just one day, but approximately 3 weeks and it really gets into your brain.
(Fun random fact: in the Netherlands we have First Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day. Weird huh? Same with Easter.)
Well, I had to think a bit on this one.....could not pick what to write about. The main thing I try to do each year is find a family in need, and help that way. When the kids were smaller we would bake cookies, candy and cake and take to the Salvation Army and missions here in town for the homeless. As the kids got older, we stopped doing that, and as I type this out, I wonder why....I think I might pick that one back up.
ReplyDeleteOn a funnier note....when my son got to the age that he did not believe in Santa, I still had a younger daughter who did....my husband kept telling him Santa was too real.
Well, that year, my husband had a deer lease, and I went with him the week before Christmas. I filled "deer droppings" in ziplock bags and on Christmas eve....there were piles of "reindeer Poop" in the yard....as well a hoof prints...but we won't go into that.I am sure my neighbors would have thought I had lost my mind for sure if they had seen me that night!
The next morning wee did not say a word, and let my son discover it on his own.....should have seen his face.....my daughter said.."SEE SANTA WAS HERE!!" He did not respond. That was the last I ever heard that Santa was not real.
*reading all the comments this week has really been fun.
There are many things, but the one I love the most of Christmas services at my church! You cannot miss the meaning of Christmas with this group! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWe have so many special Christmas things that we do, but I think my favorite has to be our book tradition. Each year, I count out 25 of our xmas books and wrap each one individually. Then starting on Dec. 1, the kids take turns each night unwrapping one. This serves as a visual cue to them about how many days are left. Now that my daughter is almost 8, she is now doing most all of the reading for us. She is also having fun predicting which book it will be by the size and shape. I think every night so far she has said, "Oh, that is my favorite one!"
ReplyDeleteOne other fun thing that comes to mind is ringing the bell for salvation army...complete with all four of us in santa hats. When she was younger, Emma was a pretty cute, but high pressure bell ringer. We told her that she would make more money if she belted out some christmas songs while ringing. People would just stop and watch her in action and couldn't help but put a little money in the kettle.
This year is the first year I could really focus on making memories with the boys. Owen kind of got left out....as there's not much he can do yet. ;-) With the other two though we've made decorations and ornaments and talked about Christmas...Santa vs Jesus...what Christmas is really about... and on and on. Dylan always says "do we have Christmas because Jesus died on the cross?" ;-) haha We explain that we get gifts on Jesus' birthday because HE is the ultimate gift giver, so in his honor, we give gifts to eachother. I'm excited about them getting older because now we can really start to focus on making memories at Christmas time. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year. And I try to find ways to make Christmastime special for my children. We have some planned activities that we participate in every year...and although they are still little, our children are starting to associate those activities with Christmas. We make a Jesse tree each year and read the Bible verses for each day. We read Christmas stories every night in December. And we usually watch one Christmas program each day. We keep Christmas carol CDs in the car and sing along as much as possible. Our children know that this time of year it's just a little over the top...and I think they enjoy it. I am certain they will remember it...and that is special to me.
ReplyDeleteEvery year we give out dozens of plates of goodies to our neighbors and friends. That is all well and good, but the kids get a reward of thanks from the families as we hand them the plates. This year, we have added a Secret Santa activity. We have selected 12 different families and each night for the 12 days of Christmas, we wrap a gift and sign it "from Santa." The boys take turns leaving the present, ringing the doorbell and running like blazes not to get caught. It has been a very successful endeavor so far. The kids love it and are getting a taste of giving without receiving. Hopefully, this will become a tradition we do every year.
ReplyDeleteEach night we gather in our family room and light a candle on the Advent wreath. We read a short story from THE ADVENT STORYBOOK by Antonie Schneider about a little bear on his journey to follow the STAR. We turn off the lights, say our family prayers and then comes the best part...each child takes a turn blowing out the candles. It's such a great way to end our day and really focus on Christmas!! Merry Christmas to ALL!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are going to follow the 3 gift rule for Dylan. Jesus got 3 gifts and so will you. Also, we like to find various ways to help out in the community whether it's serving food to the homeless, helping those less fortunate find gifts for cheap or making monetary donations. It's our chance to give, not just receive. We also do a family vacation around this time to create special memories.
ReplyDeleteEvery year I make something "homemade," usually sewn, for each family member. It is something that while I'm working on I can think about each person I'm making the item for and how much they mean to me. I feel the Christmas Spirit during the project. Those gifts mean a lot...both to the receiver but also to this giver. It's one of the happiest parts of my Christmas.
ReplyDeletewe help others when we can....adopting angels, especially elderly ones with no family around to visit. and by prayer, as a family, thanking Him for the ultimate sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteOne day, when we have our children I want to teaching them the spirit of giving and helping others
We spent Christmas Eve at Church reminding us all that Christmas is really about the birth of Christ.
ReplyDeleteSomething else that helped was that my parents did not encourage writing a letter to Santa. We would talk about what we would like but we never asked for things because that isn't what Christmas is about.
My grandchildren celebrate Jesus's birthday with a cake and such.
I just love to make home made things from frames, scrapbooks to xmas tree ornaments.
ReplyDeleteBTW - Just started reading your blog. It's official I love your dog! I would offer to walk him anyday...he looks so playful! x.
WE always read the Bible before opening any gifts for Christmas. We all go around the room telling what we are thankful for this holiday season. jamie
ReplyDeleteWe serve Less gifts. Every year we try to pare it down and make it a family time instead of an indulging time.
ReplyDeleteoooh...this is a good one..
ReplyDeleteWe def. don't spend an intense amount of money on the kids. We have a small budget, and do our best to fit a few gifts , of their choice, in.
We also choose gifts that will help others. This year we are doing Solesforsouls as well as a calendar sponsorship at our church that will help children from a 'dump city' in Philippines. (there homes are built in the city dump). Buying a calendar will help one child go to school for one year. we try to get the kids as involved with this as possible.
Christmas morning we have a party for Jesus, then celebrate with brunch at Grandma/Papas. It's a special time of eating, celebrating and enjoying, while still in p.j;s!!
I can hardly wait!!!!
We make sure to have lots of nativity scenes around the house with the baby Jesus not in it. When my children ask why, we talk about why we celebrate Christmas and how we look forward to Christmas day so we can place the baby Jesus in the manger.
ReplyDeleteThis year, as the homeroom mother for my daughter's class, we're doing a charity project during the class winter party to remind us how we need to help others.
I think my husband's favorite thing is driving around town Christmas Eve, after church, looking at all the Christmas decorations.
First thing is that I want you to come over and enter my calendar magnet giveaway, plus maybe one of the other ones if you like - I've been missing you lately girl!
ReplyDeleteAlways, always, Christmas Eve we go to the service at church and come home to read the Christmas Story in Luke before the girls went to bed. Now they still want me to read it every year. And during the day on Christmas, I often just pause to thank God for His blessings to me - they are all the gifts I ever need. This year, our younger daughter will not be getting home, because she is in Iraq - but she will be here with the rest of us, in our hearts.
We focus on more of the "Little Things" that are important verses the gifts... the little traditions of getting the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and putting lights up, decorating the tree with Christmas music (no TV), reading Christmas stories every night up until Christmas, baking certain special things and making things for others. We have fun doing all of these things together as a family. Thus, I hope we are showing that's it's not about the gifts, but giving.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely site that is very inspirational!
knj121287 (at)sbcglobal (dot)net
Hi Sara!
ReplyDeleteIt's such fun reading what all of your blog peeps have to say in response to your questions related to Christmas! I've not commented since I've already had the honor of receiving one of your wonderful canvas creations. That said, I've been very impressed and moved by the great thought that has gone into some of the traditions that have been adopted by many. The one that consistently appears is the three gift theme.
We never had such a tradition, but we have always been blessed to be able to attend Mass together (my side with Mom, Dad, siblings and their families) on Christmas Eve, then gather as a family in a one-room school house. Mom and Dad renovated it a few years ago, not a small task considering this building has served many purposes, one of which was a hog house! It now serves as our gathering room equipped with a wood-burning stove and fireplace as it's only sources of heat.
Mom brings her keyboard down from the house (she played the organ at Masses for years and years), and we all gather around Dad to listen as he reads the story of Christ's birth. Mom took the time about 20 years ago (my, how the time has flown!!) to type up a program which directs Dad to read certain Bible passages with breaks in between where we all sing a Christmas carole which pertains to the verse(s) just read. It's become quite a sacred tradition, and is one that we all cherish deeply. It didn't start out that way, for we "kids" felt that it was silly and "uncool" the first few years that we did it,but Mom (bless her heart) stuck to her guns (one of her favorite phrases) and because of her strength we now enjoy this most blessed moment together each year.
Just had to share that with you. :)
Say, did you happen to get the voicemail message I left for you? Please let me know if you got it, 'k?
Thanks for listening and for the invitation to share!
Blessings, Sara!
Lauratina
Hi Sara!
ReplyDeleteIt's such fun reading what all of your blog peeps have to say in response to your questions related to Christmas! I've not commented since I've already had the honor of receiving one of your wonderful canvas creations. That said, I've been very impressed and moved by the great thought that has gone into some of the traditions that have been adopted by many. The one that consistently appears is the three gift theme.
We never had such a tradition, but we have always been blessed to be able to attend Mass together (my side with Mom, Dad, siblings and their families) on Christmas Eve, then gather as a family in a one-room school house. Mom and Dad renovated it a few years ago, not a small task considering this building has served many purposes, one of which was a hog house! It now serves as our gathering room equipped with a wood-burning stove and fireplace as it's only sources of heat.
Mom brings her keyboard down from the house (she played the organ at Masses for years and years), and we all gather around Dad to listen as he reads the story of Christ's birth. Mom took the time about 20 years ago (my, how the time has flown!!) to type up a program which directs Dad to read certain Bible passages with breaks in between where we all sing a Christmas carole which pertains to the verse(s) just read. It's become quite a sacred tradition, and is one that we all cherish deeply. It didn't start out that way, for we "kids" felt that it was silly and "uncool" the first few years that we did it,but Mom (bless her heart) stuck to her guns (one of her favorite phrases) and because of her strength we now enjoy this most blessed moment together each year.
Just had to share that with you. :)
Say, did you happen to get the voicemail message I left for you? Please let me know if you got it, 'k?
Thanks for listening and for the invitation to share!
Blessings, Sara!
Lauratina