A Christmas Tradition of Santa Giving Books

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Jennifer

***I am reposting this from 2 years ago since it is my most popular post ever – plus the time is perfect***just to clarify a few things which I have been asked – the post office gives anyone those airmail stickers and yes those are real stamps with a stamp marked all over them – the books always have a quick message from Santa on the inside cover, something like “I can’t wait to eat those cookies you put out” or “Rudolph’s nose is all shined up and ready to go.” – add a flourish to your writing or ask someone else to do the writing)

One of my favorite family Christmas traditions occurs on Christmas Eve. Every December 24th, usually in the afternoon, Santa’s elves deliver a holiday book (or two) and leave it at our door.

Once everyone has showered and put on pajamas we get into bed and read the book. The kids love receiving the book and I’m pretty sure Santa loves giving it just as much. Over the years we have built up quite a collection of holiday books. Here’s a peek at some of our favorites:

The Berenstain Bears Christmas by Stan & Jan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Santa Claus by Rod Green

This is an amazing book, just gorgeous illustrations and just magical for kids 5 – 10 yrs old.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson Santa’s Reindeer by Rod Green

Another unbelievable Christmas book. Tells all about Santa’s reindeer, where they sleep, how they fly, and more. This one will not disappoint.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Cajun Night Before Christmas by “Trosclair”

Just a few lines of the beginning to give you the gist of this favorite of mine – lay on a thick french/country accent as you read it 🙂

‘Twas the night before Christmas

An’ all t’ru de house

Dey don’t a t’ing pass

Not even a mouse.

De chirren been nezzle

Good snug on de flo’

An’ Mama pass de pepper

T’ru de crack on de do’.

Do you have any family traditions or holiday books that are special to you?

Holiday Eating

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Jennifer

I just ate 2 pounds of toffee in the last day and a half,

proving that buying desserts at Costco should be outlawed.

Fortunately, those calories have been completely negated

as I drank skim milk with said toffee

thus insuring I have successfully maintained my “eat reasonable through the holidays” goal.

Easy Advent Calendar with a Paper Bag

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Jennifer

***I am reposting this from 2 years ago – the only change I will be making for this years advent calendar will be at the end of this post***and sadly, I have to report that there was no big Powerball win for us last night – here’s to hoping no one won!

Last year the kids and I made a paper bag Christmas tree which they partially decorated using markers. Here’s the way our advent tree works.

On December 1 they receive a paper ornament which states something we will be doing, watching, or making that deals with Christmas.

One of the boys gets to glue it onto our tree. The next day the other one gets to glue it on.

On certain days they receive their ornament before school while other days they receive their ornament after school (it depends if I have my act together or not). Here’s a picture of the finished project.

Here’s a close up of some of the ornaments. Some days they would receive one ornament while on other days they would receive a bonus one.

There is a small part of me that cringes when these are glued onto the tree every which way. I do have to tell myself that having symmetry in this craft is not the purpose. But oh how I sometimes try to make suggestions of where the ornament could be placed.

This year I’ve made a tentative list of activities for our family. Some will change based on schedules and weather but it’s a start:

Wed Dec 1 – Watch The Grinch
Thurs Dec 2 – Make Christmas cards for grandparents
Fri Dec 3 – Choose Angels from Angel tree
Sat Dec 4- Andrew’s Christmas program
Sun Dec 5-Shop for Angels
Mon Dec 6 – Have hot chocolate & marshmallows
Tues Dec 7 – Watch Frosty’s Winter Wonderland
Wed Dec 8 – Turn in Angel gifts & get cookie at mall
Thurs Dec 9 – Watch Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Fri Dec 10- get tree?
Sat Dec 11-Photo with Santa at school
Sun Dec 12-make snow globes
Mon Dec 13-Assign & Hang Stockings
Tues Dec 14-drive around and look at lights
Wed Dec 15-?
Thurs Dec 16- Andrew’s school Christmas party
Fri Dec 17-Alex’s school Christmas party
Sat Dec 18-Frisco downtown – Santa parachutes in?
Sun Dec 19-wrap some presents
Mon Dec 20-Go see Northpark train display?
Tues Dec 21-Make Christmas cookies
Wed Dec 22-Aunt Amanda, Uncle Ryan, and Gramma & Grampa arrive
Thurs Dec 23-Aunt Kelly & Uncle Ben arrive
Fri Dec 24-go to ICE! display in Grapevine
Sat Dec 25 – Christmas

***Changes this year – Now 3 children will be placing ornaments on the tree *** Our activities each day has changed *** I am using large brown craft paper that I also use to wrap gifts in***

Do you have any unique ways your family celebrates the holidays?

The Countdown has Begun

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Jennifer

Folks, it’s time we get serious here.

I’m going to tell you something that may excite you but it may panic you.

Are you ready?

Christmas is less than 100 days away!

In fact, it’s only 94 days away!

Yep.

For some (my children), it seems far away and for others it seems like it’s right around the corner.

I must confess that I have started shopping already. In fact, I’ve almost completed some people off my list. What can I say, buying for my little nephews is just so much fun. Big people, well, they’re a little trickier.

I came across this site the other day with free Christmas organizing printables and I thought it would be worth it to share.

I have in the past, bought something for someone, completely forgotten about it, and bought them a second gift. Not that anyone is complaining but I do plan on using some of the printables in order to avoid that mistake this year- the shopping list, the gift list, and I kind of love the master checklist.

So confess now…

Are you a Christmas shopping planner or are you a the last minute shopper?

A New Addition

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Jennifer

Remember my post “A Hairy Christmas?”

It could have been considered hairy for an entirely different reason.

We got a dog.

Now to be clear, I never wanted a dog.

Ever.

In my experience, they are stinky and their hair gets everywhere.

But this kid changed my mind.

My son has always loved animals and desperately wanted a pet.

When he was four we got him fish.

When he was four they died.

Not quite the pet he was looking for.

Before my husband and I went out looking for a dog I made a list of the type of dog I would welcome into my home.

1. Dark haired dog.

2. Short haired dog.

3. Medium sized dog.

Instead we came home with Sophie.

She’s got white fur.

She’s got long hair.

She’s 42 pounds as a puppy.

She only met one of my requirements.

She makes my son happy.

Thank You

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Jennifer

My husband and I are trying to raise our children to be well mannered, considerate, and respectable young people.

Emphasis on the trying.

They’re not walking around wearing white undershirts and smoking but some days I worry if we’re making any progress.

Thank you cards are big in our house.

I believe it’s important for kids to learn how to write them and send them each time they receive a gift.

So everyday for the past week, our kids have written a thank you card to someone who gave a present to them over the holidays.

I’m fairly sure my 6 year old’s thank you card proves we’re not succeeding in our goal.

A Hairy Christmas

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Jennifer

Our family has a history of silly gifts on Christmas day, from my Dad’s t-shirts, to wrapping a present in multiple boxes, to the matching pants my sisters and I received (not an intentional gag gift but one which occurred since apparently JCrew’s sizes run waaaaaay small).

So I figured this Christmas it was my turn to be the ring leader.

Browsing through etsy in September I came across some crocheted beards and I knew this was it.

Laura was wonderful to work with and created 7 beards for me to give as gifts for the family.

Feast your eyes on this awesomeness!

Top row:

My brother the hairy beast (I’m sure this look will be a hit on the college scene)

My dad (gray to match his current stache)

My husband (just what he needs, more hair 🙂

My brother-in-law (Very stylish and practical for shoveling snow in Michigan)

Front row: My sons who are in heaven to be with the big guys

Yes, I said seven but there are only six beards in the picture.

Where’s the 7th beard you ask?

Introducing Princess Grizzly …..

Her hat and beard were created by Laura.

Outside playtime this winter will probably lead the neighbors to think we’ve adopted three middle aged munchkins.

Check out Laura’s site here and have your own hairy fun.

Christmas Stress

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Jennifer

My kids are thrilled with the new addition to our neighbors’ Christmas display.

Me? Not so much.

Thanks to them, I’ve been stressed since the day after Thanksgiving.

Every time I drive by their house I am reminded of the six thousand tasks I still need to complete.

You can rest assured I will NOT have a cup of sugar to lend her when she comes asking.

A Christmas Tradition & Holiday Books

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Jennifer

One of my favorite family Christmas traditions occurs on Christmas Eve.

Every December 24th, usually in the afternoon, Santa’s elves deliver a holiday book (or two) and leave it at our door.

Once everyone has showered and put on pajamas we get into bed and read the book.

The kids love receiving the book and I’m pretty sure Santa loves giving it just as much.

Over the years we have built up quite a collection of holiday books.

Here’s a peek at some of our favorites: