Yesterday we got a few catalogs in the mail that were advertising this seasons biggest sellers and I found Megan like this after the girls left for school this morning.
"What mom, I'm just trying to see what I want." It's no surprise she had about 25 things highlighted. I think it's such a funny moment to find her like this as I remember what it was like to get those big catalogs in the mail around this time of year. I remember going through them getting ideas and being so excited with the prospect of actually getting the toys. Seeing her like this reminded me how badly I want this holiday season to be about something more. I really want my girls to focus on others and am working on ways we can incorporate service throughout the season. I know last year as we counted down to Christmas with our advent calendar we did a service type something each day (write someone a note, make a family members bed, etc.) and I still want to do that, but I also want to find other ways to keep them thinking about giving instead of receiving.
On Monday night for FHE we discussed the window's mite parable from the Bible and I think it really hit home to them as we used their Halloween candy as an example. We encourage them to go through their candy and give to those in need who didn't have much and were unable to go trick or treating (as a family we also went through coats/hat/gloves to donate since our ward is doing a fundraiser). It was so interesting to see them sort their stash and go from only wanting to give the things they didn't want, to slowly giving up the prize candy they didn't think they could part with. It was a sweet moment for me to see and they really seemed happier in the end. It's that same spirit of giving I want to keep throughout this holiday season.
I would love to hear any ideas/traditions you all do as a family to make the season more meaningful.
7 comments:
WE went to Walmart on Monday I was so surprised to see the Christmas stuff out and the music on the radio.
I agree Thanksgiving does get swept under the rug. I wanted to get a few Thanksgiving decorations, I checked Walmart and Target all they had left was Clearance items the rest was all Christmas!
Megan looks so cute looking at the catalog. I too remember when they came, but they were huge when I was a child from JC Penny's and maybe ZCMI. Thanks for letting me remember that :)
You know, I had forgotten about going through catalogs until you mentioned doing that as a little kid. I can remember folding pages down (like half the pages in the catalog) and then giving my parents a perfunctory notice of my Christmas present selections. I was lucky if I got one from the 100 page catalog. :)
I don't really shop much at stores other than grocery stores, and it definitely doesn't even feel like fall here yet, so it seems weird to think that Christmas is only a month and a half away. Maybe I need to get some Christmas music going. :)
oh the christmas catalog obsession was a MUST for me as a kid. I can remember getting one right around the same time and sitting with my pen and paper! Good times!
we also have an Advent Calendar. We call it 'les petits papiers' which means 'the little papers'. you can see it here
http://rachdur.blogspot.com/2007/12/le-calendrier-de-lavent.html
it's a tradition since our mariage (6 1/2 years).
so during a FHE at the end of november, we write down some ideas to focus our Christmas month on giving, sharing, doing things to be closer to each other or as a couple. for example we have:
'write to a friend'
'tell our mom we love her'
'make a cake for someone single at the branch'
'dance together'
'sing some Christmas songs'
....etc.
24 ideas like that and so each day we open those papers and try to do what's written during the day...
I guess it's quite the same than your advent calendar (could you give the page cause the link doesn't work...?).
we also want this Christmas not to be focus on gifts or toys ...but on the Savior and on giving and loving each other. there's a lot of other occasions during the year to offer gifts, isn't it?
I used to LOVE poring over those catalogs! JCPenney is the one that stands out in my memory and it was huge...
Yes. Lucy went beyond highlighting and cut out the pictures of the toys she wanted. Then she asked me, "mom, did Santa give this to you?" (speaking of the pottery barn kids catalog on her lap). Of course I said, "Yes!"
We're starting this year a tradition of having a thankful tree. Everyday you write something you're thankful for and hang on the tree and on Thankgiving day you read them all as a family....I'll blog about it soon!
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