If you’re looking for the typical holiday gift guide, this
isn’t one of them.
You see, I wanted to instill a simple idea to my daughter
this year—that the holidays are far more than just shopping to get the best
deals, wrapping items with a beautiful bow, and anticipating a gift in return. I
agree: the spirit of giving is important this season, but there’s also being
thankful, there’s being kind, and there’s remembering that it’s not what’s
under the tree, but who you’re with during the holidays that’s most important.
All these take precedence over a wrapped object or the expense of giving it.
Of course presents has its time and place during the holidays,
that I won’t deny. My daughter is nearly two after all, and the tradition of
tearing into a wrapped gift (from Santa, or whoever else) is something I still
want her to experience. I just want to make sure that there’s a balance; that
gifts are not all she expects during the holidays.
So, when I saw this
4 gifts idea circulating on Pinterest, I
decided to give it a try and make it my own. The original concept was to give
four items--something your child wants, needs, wears and reads—for any gift
giving occasion, Christmas, birthday or otherwise. Some interpret it as a money
saver, while others use it as a guideline to form their own gift list. As a
parent, I decided on a different approach.
I wanted the “gifts” to be a mix of tangible and intangible, with a bit
on the practical side, and plenty on being memorable. The result is a list
below. Call them suggestions, call them tips, but my goal was simple: to share
with you gift ideas that are a bit out of the box, but unforgettable as well.
Want and Need: Quality
time
If this
Christmas video is any indication, it’s safe to say that kids’
needs and wants are simple. Believe it or not, time with their family ranks
much higher than toys or that coveted video game. So, what better way to
celebrate the holidays than by being together and honoring their request?
Perhaps a simple tradition of getting a tree to decorate should suffice, or
maybe volunteering at a local shelter could be another. It could even be
something as simple as popcorn and a Christmas movie for a Saturday or two that
would satisfy their need. Whatever it may be, spending time with your children
should be priority amidst the chaos of shopping, prepping and entertaining. As
any parent will know: time is fleeting with our kids, and whether this is your
first or your 16
th Christmas with them, it is precious time you will
never get back.
So savor each simple
moment as much as you can.
One would think that having a winter baby would make me an
expert on buying coats, but as a still novice mom, purchasing clothing that
will last an entire season (instead of just a few weeks) is still a skill I
have yet to master. However, I have found that buying coats a size bigger
works best for us. It allows for building comfortable layers underneath, and
the bigger sizes guarantee a good fit even through those growth spurts in the
winter time. Suggestions for affordable and lasting coats are below:
1 | 2 | 3
Read: Build their
Library
I’m lucky that my
daughter absolutely adores reading. In fact, books are far more effective for
distractions than the typical toy in our home, and it’s no surprise that Dr.
Seuss and Shel Silverstein outnumber Little Tikes toys and Fisher Price around
here. Building a library for our daughter has been a goal of ours since before
she was born. That’s why we’re thankful to find services like
Bookroo to help
us to instill our daughter’s love of reading through the years.
Bookroo’s
concept is simple: to curate the best books that
cater to your child’s age and ability and send you a set to enjoy with your
little one every month. Whether you’re a parent, a doting grandparent or aunt,
Bookroo is one of the best ways for kids to discover new stories and enjoy some
classics as well. Not to mention an easy and practical means to
build your children’s library.
I know, this is far from the other typical gift
guides out there.
There’s very few items
to purchase and hardly any brands to suggest, but I hope you still find it valuable for your
children and for yourself this season.
