In previous years I've had each of the kids randomly choose one another to give a Christmas gift to, and would help them choose something they knew that child would treasure. (usually a toy of course ended up being purchased) My kids do NOT need toys! They embarrassingly have enough toys to make most children a bit jealous I think, even though there are times I'm sure where they would argue me to the death, not having the ONE toy they THINK they need. All that being said, let's face it, they get spoiled by friends and family! :) This year we're trying to cut back. I'm trying to get Grandma and Grandpa to cut back too. Not only because the spending is a little out of control, but also with so many things to open on Christmas morning, I think the meaning behind the gifts and the specialness of each gift gets overshadowed by opening the next. I'd like to concentrate more on the gift and giver, and the Gift and Giver. Shift the focus, but in a way that the kids won't buck the idea and will start ever slowly to open up to the idea of giving even more than they already do.

With the kids, I had seen a few blogs where the kids made homemade gifts for their siblings and I thought what a wonderful idea. They were a little more practical than a toy, time and thought went into each gift, and the kids really had a hand in them as they made each one. So this year that's what they're doing! They each have a great project that they are going to be making and as they do I'll post what they're making and pics of each so that if you'd like to duplicate any you can. They are going to be very inexpensive, but highly loved and treasured I think! And they're each very practical, useful gifts! (Well, maybe the olders a little more than Liam's, but his will still be great!)

I have NOT limited my parents (as they like to think!) BUT suggested that why not get a family type gift, a clothing type gift, and one special toy they really want. So, when over the summer I saw that a certain store had the Zh*u Zh*u pets on clearance, I suggested that was a great family gift that they were beginning to crave and that they could play together. They ended up purchasing each child (plus our unknown fourth child, just in case!) a hamster, an outfit, and a "set" that can be connected together to build a play "area" for them to share. Not long after, I was sharing with my mom my idea for getting the kids embroidered, monogrammed towels to hang in the bathroom and she jumped at the idea of getting those for the kids for Christmas saying she had had that idea also quite a while ago. I found a set I really liked and she got four (yes, I said four, I know I'm anal!) :) and they are AWESOME! They will also be giving each of the kids a toy that they each specifically wanted this year. I think they will be so focused on the special toy and the family gift that they will have so much fun!

While I know that many families choose not to "do Santa," we still do. I think they realize that he isn't our focus. They usually ask for ONE special thing and then Santa also gets a few small surprises to tuck under the tree. Santa is allowed to get a few gifts that they know mom wouldn't necessarily purchase! :) Like when Olivia was getting rid of all her Barbi*es, Santa still gave her a couple Han*nah Mon*tana ones. :) So Santa also took advantage of the sale going on with the Zh*u Zh*u's and got them a few more sets to go along with what Grandma and Grandpa are giving! They should play with that forever! (We can hope right!?)

All that to say I am so excited to share with you the gifts the kids are making one another! Hoping to get to one of them this weekend, but it's going to be hard not letting the other kids see, so we'll see how that will work...