1st Day of Christmas Giveaways with Karen Ehman
Welcome to the 1st Day of Christmas Giveaways!!!
Tweet ThisFor the next 12 days, I will be featuring a special guest sharing a Christmas idea, recipe, or favorite memory with you. They will also offer a giveaway of the day and toss out a simple question about the topic of the post. To join in on the fun and be entered to win the various prizes, simply leave a comment on the post answering the question of the day. ALSO—one grand prize will be given to one person who comments on all 12 days. Are you ready? Here we go.
I am going to kick things off today a favorite idea what we have done for our children over the years, especially when they were small. But first, today’s giveaway AND the grand prize.
Today’s giveaway is this darling Christmas apron and wooden spoon from ALynn’s Aprons Etsy shop and a $25 Target gift card.
The Grand Prize is a $50 gift certificate to Proverbs 31 Ministries store and a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com!!!
Now, for today’s post….
The 3 Gift Tradition
While my husband and I have made many mistakes and missteps in the rearing of our brood resulting in some “I wish we could go back and do that all over again” feelings, there is one decision we have never regretted. That was our decision as brand new parents to simplify the Christmas gift giving and NOT spoil and splurge and give into their every whim going into debt in the process.
When we became parents over 20 years ago we began the tradition of giving these items at Christmas:
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One thing to open on Christmas Eve –usually pj’s, slippers, a soft throw blanket, a stuffed animal to sleep with—something they can use right then as they try to fall asleep with all the excitement.
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In the morning, there is a stocking full of treasures and treats. (This is where I am tempted to overspend!)
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And then, they open their three gifts from us.
Yep…. that is not a typo. I said three. That is all baby Jesus received- remember gold, frankincense and myrrh? When they were younger, the categories were: one thing to play with, one thing to read, and one item to wear.
Over the years, we morphed this tradition into a gold gift, a frankincense present, and a myrrh package. Here is the concept:
GOLD GIFT
This, like gold, is a highly desired item; precious; maybe even pricey. An electronic gadget, tickets to a professional sporting event, a new hunting rifle, a fancy coffee maker for our adult daughter.
FRANKINCENSE GIFT
Because the real frankincense was burned during prayer and arose heavenward, the gift in this category is something that will draw them closer to God. Perhaps a new Bible, a book series, a CD, or tickets to an event or concert.
MYRHH GIFT
This is a burial spice used to cover the whole body. So the myrrh gift does the same thing. It goes on the body. In past years this has been leather boots and a new coat for Kenz, a hunting jumpsuit and camo boots for Mitch, or Spence’s favorite Detroit Tigers player jersey and pair of tennis shoes he really wanted.
Since our kids knew the number of items was limited, they didn’t expect oodles of gifts, just three. And we also included them when we shopped for a less-fortunate family we adopted each year. We also took them along when we delivered the gifts to the family. It was good for them to see that we used some of the money we would have spent on more gifts for them to purchase for a family who might not be able to afford any gifts.
The three gift tradition. Try it out this year!
Growing up, we always got to open one gift from under the Christmas Eve. (That was after spending Christmas Eve with the cousins on my dad’s side of the family who opened everything Christmas Eve.) After my sister & I were grown and out of the house, a new tradition of getting a Christmas ornament for Thanksgiving started. While I have missed some Thanksgivings and Easters and other various holiday/special days during the year, I have yet to miss Christmas with my parents & sister..and now brother-in-love, nephew, and husband of my own. (And yes, I know what a rare blessing & treasure this is….getting ready to celebrate my 50th Christmas with my family this year!)
I started a tradition in 2000 to give each neice, nephew and my three children one item of a Fontanini nativity set. I wanted them each to have a setting to take with them when they moved out on their own. I have one on his own and has enjoyed sharing him memories with his new wife.
In 2015 I had a goal of giving a “homemade” gift to friends and family. My list of people to include was a LARGE list. I crocheted a lot, giving many an infinity neck scarf or I gave them a dishcloth. I tried to pray for the people I gave the gift to and encouraged them to pray for me as they used the item or wore the item.
I love to make homemade gifts and I also love to receive them. I don’t give everyone something homemade each year but I always incorporate this somehow into my gift giving.
Begun with the first, who still gets one even though he’ll be 27 in January, all three get an ornament each year. And it has moved on to the grandkids now.
We do one gift on Christmas Eve….usually new pj’s. A new tradition since we have young adults now, is an afternoon movie on Christmas day. I cook a big breakfast, exchange gifts then head out for a movie. I love spending time with my hubby, my son & my daughter. I know one day they will have families of their own & new traditions.
I’m really enjoying reading everyone’s posts and getting some new ideas to share with my family! :) Our Christmas Eve tradition is to bake Santa and our neighbors cookies and fudge. My daughter wants to start a new tradition this year and bake Jesus a birthday cake for Christmas day! I love her idea and wish we would have started it before this year. :)
I’m a day late but I LOVED your gifts in 3 idea! I’d love to implement it. My husband is NOT huge on Christmas gifts, so at our house its not a huge thing. Maybe an addition to their Thomas wooden train set or Lego collection, a book for my 1st reader or clothes they are needing. No huge traditions.
I don’t have a set pattern of gift giving, but I love meeting a need, whether big or small. My lil girl has started the tradition of doing a shoe box and we want her to learn to grow beyond that and do even more as she gets older.
No tradition…we just make sure that at least one gift is aiding in their walk with the Lord.
Each year we visit the Hallmark store and my boys are allowed to pick out one ornament (I do set a price limit). We put their initials on it and the year before hanging it up on the tree. Each year it is fun for them to take ‘their ornaments’ out of the boxes and remember when they got them. It is my plan to give them all their ornaments when they have a home of their own. This year I am starting a new traditions of giving them each their own devotional book to read before bed. We are pretty good at devotions at supper time, but this will be something new for them to do before they go to sleep at night.
I have always done new pajamas on Christmas Eve. Makes great Christmas morning pictures.
My tradition is my seven children all open gifts in age group youngest to oldest.My children ages is between 30 ,28,26 ,25,19,17,7 there is gap .When I had 7 year old they said mom this takes sooo long by the time each one finish opening there gifts they where tiered but they enjoy .only 1 is is married and her husband loves that we have a big family and give each other the stage you can say .At the end it’s mom and dad .And on Christmas Eve morning.I always allowed them to open 1 gift . And after midnight they open all of them it takes a long time depending on how many gifts each one has as they got older they would purchase gifts for each other it was a lot believe me.We have been blessed with little at times and blessed with much .I can tell you something is that the best gift of all is to see you children healthy and together even with little or a lot we know that will God Bless you all that have little or a lot.I have to teach my children to be thankful for what they have.A mother of 7 children God bye and bless all.
Every year we attend Christmas Eve service at our church, followed by dinner with family and then we look at Christmas lights.
My entire family volunteers in our community with the homeless. At Christmas we look for ways to bless some of the guys unanimously – perhaps they need their bike repaired or tuned up, a new sleeping bag or something as simple as new gloves.
Every year, I buy for 2 children who are less fortunate than us. Many years ago, I had to rely on this program for my own children’s Christmas presents, so I feel this is a way to give back.
My kids get excited knowing we are helping 2 other kids have Christmas.
This year I am going to try the 3 gift idea. Thanks for sharing.
For two years after my son was born he was spoiled with sooo many gifts from everyone, it was ridiculous and he really didn’t enjoy Christmas morning because he was so overwhelmed! After that 2nd Christmas, we knew we had to reign it in. We talked to our families and told them that we planned on starting a more modest gift giving plan. We explained to them our reasoning and asked that they think about it as well. We now follow the Something I want, Something to wear, Something to read. We took out the “Something I need” category because we feel that if our kids need something, it shouldn’t be a gift under the tree. Now that we have 2 kiddos. The kids only get 3 gifts each from us. We do 1 small gift from Santa (but we don’t focus on that part of Christmas much) and a stocking with little things inside. We also include our kids in buying or making gifts for others and in giving to the less fortunate. Our families, for the most part, have also adopted this way of gift giving as well which makes the holidays much more merry!
Growing up, we opened gifts on Christmas Eve, after supper and the dishes were done! I thought it would never come! On Christmas, we would go to my Mom’s side of the family and hang out, no gift exchange, but enjoying being together. After marriage, we opened our stockings on Christmas Eve and presents Christmas morning. My first husband passed away and since remarrying, each Christmas has been different but it’s always time spent with friends and/or family.
We also adhere to the 3 gift rule for Christmas morning but are not as strict about the categories of those gifts. I am a huge board game fan, so on Christmas Eve the kids always open a family game. We’ve also made it a tradition to give a book to each of them on Christmas Eve.
We have gifts from us and some from Santa. This year, we are going to the three gifts.
Love your blog! I still have not put up our Christmas tree! I worry a lot about spoiling my kids. I definitely told my in laws no more toys because they get only temporary satisfication out of it then discard them quickly.
We do our gift giving on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 5. We have stockings for each person and inside each are tucked away – a pink marzipan pig, mandarin orange, chocolate letter, and a poem describing the gift. (Years ago we would give clues for where to FIND the gift.) Now that our children are adults, they get this “smaller” gift and one bigger gift. This year it’s snow tires for their cars :) On Christmas Day, no presents (except from relatives). The main focus is on Jesus.
We open our gifts on Christmas Day each of us one at a time in front of everyone. So does my side of the family when we meet later with them. My husband’s side on Eve, different story. Everyone just tears into what they get! Drives me bonkers.
Christmas eve we alway spend the day as a family. Just my husband me and the boys. We usally have dinner, make Christmas cookie, watch a Christmas movie, and end the day at Christmas eve service at church. Great day with just the boys before all the crazy time starts!
We wanted our children to remember the real reason we were celebrating Christmas, so we set a low budget for gifts. We typically spent only $30 per child. One of the gifts was always something to wear. Since the amount spent was low, they knew there weren’t going to be oodles of gifts. They always appreciated what they got and were able to enjoy them since they weren’t overwhelmed. We have continued that tradition as they have become adults. The budget is slightly higher to reflect the change in economy, but we have children who are grateful for what they receive and who enjoy giving more than receiving. We open one gift on Christmas Eve (usually a book or a small toy) and give a family gift of a game. We did not do Santa Claus at our house; at some point, we started joking around that the family gift was from Santa Claus and a new tradition was born!
My mom started buying ornaments for her grandchildren every year after the first one was born. They get a new ornament every year until they turn 18. Her great-grandchildren get an ornament from her for their first Christmas. Now that I am also a grandmother, I have continued the tradition with my own grandchildren.
My kids are little (1 & 3) so we are just starting traditions, so I love reading all the ideas. The 3 gifts are perfect, now I just need the hubby on board with one Christmas Eve! I always got to open one or many that night and it kills me now to wait!!