Comments on: Of Stuffing Carts and Stockings

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:58:26 +0000

Thank you for all the gift giving tips. I will just stay home on Friday to clear the way for all of the serious shoppers. This week the scale was not kind to me. I have kept to my eating and exercise regiments, so I am trying not to be discouraged. After the first few weeks of any change to my diet, the weight loss drops off after a few good weeks. This is where I usually get very discouraged. I have decided to skip the scale next week and go by ‘How are the jeans fitting?’ method. I am hoping that a less snug fit will give me the motivation to stay away from too much of the stuffing and potatoes (my favorites) this week. Yes, this week. I have a Thanksgiving meal at my house tomorrow (I can smell my turkey cooking as I type) and another one on Saturday. Since I am hosting tomorrow I can be sure to have lots of healthy food to go with the traditional goodies and Saturday is potluck, so I will bring with what I need to stay on track.

By: krisf

krisf — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:06:58 +0000

We too do the 3 presents, but we don’t open the “clothing” until Christmas morning. It has been a huge reliever for us. Its always fun to share the idea with someone who spends wayyyy to much for christmas and hear them say “wow. that sounds great. I guess that is what the season is about anyway”. I always wonder if they change or not?

By: javadiva

javadiva — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:34:36 +0000

LOL You are so funny! Thanks for your honesty.
We do 3 gifts for epiphany, our little family Christmas. A need, want, surprise. I really like how you make it gold/frank/myrrh. That’s really cool.
TFS

By: kadie314

kadie314 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:09:29 +0000

I now do the three gifts (well, four really) because of your suggestion, Karen! (The fourth one, and the stocking stuffs are from Santa. I still believe!) Anyway, when I first heard this idea at Hearts at Home two years ago, I thought, “There’s no way I could do that.” But, I discussed it with my husband and he really wanted to try it. A BIG deciding factor was that my in-laws get our children TONS OF THINGS every year, and no matter how hard we’ve tried, we can’t convince them to give less, and we can’t convince them to give “use-up-able” items like memberships, etc. We have three boys now, and another baby on the way, so our house is just overflowing with STUFF. So, last year my husband and I went for it, and we absolutely loved the process. We were able to be so thoughtful for each item, and weren’t filling our carts with junk that would pile up with the rest of it. We’re in again this year! It also helps keep my stress down, because it’s easy to know when I’m “done”. I’ll never go back and Christmas morning is so much more meaningful! Well, at least until we head over to the in-laws’!

By: jld4

jld4 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:52:51 +0000

I love the gift giving tradition you described. Wish I would have thought of that years ago with my girls. What a great way to keep the spirit of Christmas directly connected to gift giving and receiving. Thanks!

By: jekkaj

jekkaj — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:17:38 +0000

I am not a Black Friday shopper. I never have been and never will as I do not do well in crowds. I am a shop all year long type of person. However I have to tell you this short story from my Sunday School class this past Sunday. I teach the first and second graders and am blessed to have all boys. Each morning we start our class out with praises and prayer requests. This past Sunday, one little boy raised his hand and requested prayer for all those shopping the day after Thanksgiving that they would be safe. He went on to say that those people are out at 3 in the morning and sometimes don’t think and end up hurting other people trying to get a deal. So we prayed for all those people. It touched me heart and reminded me of how insightful children can be.

By: thepadens

thepadens — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:14:40 +0000

Hi Karen! this is what we are doing this year! I read it in your blog last year and Mary Beth’s ebook! We attempted it last year, but our kids were adopted by a family from our church; lets just say it was overwhelming all the “stuff” they got! But, this year we have already prepared our hearts and mind to make this happen! THANKS FOR POSTING THIS! I am going to post a link to your blog on my facebook and blog.