The holiday season has arrived. Stores will be flooded, if not already, with stressed out people trying to find the perfect gifts, even if that means breaking the bank to do so.
We have all done it as children. Now as adults, we again see the perfect catalog and dream about the perfect present or presents.
I grew up with a traditional Christmas Eve celebration at my Grandmother’s house every year from when I was two weeks old (and it has been even longer than that) and it still continues even though my Grandmother has passed away. I am so happy that my daughter gets to be around a big family on Christmas Eve for the first time this year.
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday because it is the one solid time of the year where we all get together, share a meal, and memories. Of course there are gifts—but honestly I think several of us are simply there for the family. Presents are nice, but throughout the years, they are so easily forgotten. Family is forever.
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I told my husband the other day that there are a handful of really special gifts I remember getting as a child, but other than that I do not remember them. What I do remember are the memories, the silly cousin photos, and special moments.
This year my husband and I are giving our daughter a very simple first Christmas. We plan on attending Mass, putting together a Christmas Eve box with crafts (like salt dough ornaments,) pajamas, books, etc. to share as a family with some little fun gifts as well. We also plan on attending my family’s Christmas where she will meet the majority of her family on my side for the first time.
We are buying her just a few special gifts but we really want the holiday season to be more about memories than things.
We want to take her to see family and friends, to the Christmas tree forest at the Art Museum and start new traditions as a little family. I want to be able to look back, and as she grows up, have her know that December is more than gifts under a tree. It is about family, friends, love, gratitude, and more.
The stores are always there and we can buy her anything anytime of the year. Here are some of the ideas we are doing for our Christmas Eve boxes:
For Baby
- Christmas Books: Write a sweet note with the date and year
- Toys: Simple things like blocks, and rattles
- Hair accessories or hats
- Socks
- Photo album/scrapbook
- Bath toys
- Bibs
- A few cute outfits
- Snacks/baby food
- Blankets
For Mom
- Socks
- Cute mom shirts
- Hair accessories
- Scarf
- Craft supplies
- Snacks
- Lip gloss/chapstick
- Nail polish
- Journals
For Dad
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Snacks
- Reusable To Go Cups
- Ties
- Dad tee shirts
For the box itself Walmart, Hobby Lobby, etc. sell small unfinished wooden crates that can be painted, decorated, etc. and reused through year or painted a Christmas theme and recycled at Christmas each year.
