We don’t normally do anything fancy or over-the-top for Christmas so this year doesn’t feel much different except for the fact that we can’t really go anywhere or see a lot of people. There are no company holiday parties, gift exchanges with girlfriends, or brunches and while I can’t wait to do those things again next year, we are making the most of our time at home and creating special memories with our kids this year. Honestly, I am not sure they know any different and think Christmas is just as magical as any year before.. thankfully!
We found a way to visit Santa from a safe distance and my kids got to tell him what they wanted and if they have been naughty or nice this year.. I’ll let him determine if they deserve anything for Christmas 😉
If you recall, our neighborhood went OFF on Halloween with their decorations so when December 1st rolled around, the lights went up all around us and it feels like magic. Every house is decorated with lights, reindeer, Santa on the dang ROOF people.. I love our new neighborhood, neighbors, and how festive and spirited they are. But one night, we needed to get out of the house during that witching hour.. you know the one.. and so we drove to a neighborhood in Kirkland that has rows and rows of homes LIT UP.
We get together with Alix and Quinn about once a week and last week we decided to make 3-ingredient cinnamon ornaments to gift to some of our friends and family. The kids always enjoy an arts and crafts project and this was no different. They got to use cookie cutters, glue, and glitter and make each ornament their own. Such an easy, cute, and affordable activity that the kids love.
I bought a pre-made gingerbread house from Whole Foods and let the boys decorate it together one afternoon. Don’t buy the kits where you have to assemble it yourself.. you will regret every minute of it! It is worth the extra $5 to get one already made. In between licking frosting and eating candy, we decorated and listened to Christmas music and it just broke up the afternoon in the most perfect way.
Now as far as Christmas gifts go this year, my husband went a little over the top with some gifts I didn’t necessarily agree to for Jackson and Cammy but I know it’s going to be a really special Christmas morning for them. Parker is getting Fat Brain Toys and building block sets while Jackson is getting a mini dirt bike and Cam a 4-wheeler. Both came from local shops in the area but you can easily find kid-friendly 4-wheelers on Amazon.. not so sure about dirt bikes lol. There will be SO MANY RULES around these “toys” and so many helmets, elbow and knee pads. And they will only be allowed to ride them in our backyard with our supervision and while I said NO a million times, my husband is relentless. Men and their toys.. this is going to be my life so I just threw my hands up and said FINE! As long as you get the best helmets money can buy. So stay tuned for that s-show and please pray for me 😉
While my kids are spoiled beyond belief, we also make sure to make room for anything new coming in the door and giving back to those less fortunate. We make piles of toys and clothes that don’t serve us and drop them at local shelters or Goodwill. My favorite place to give back in Seattle are women’s shelters like Mary’s Place because I know my clothes are being used right away. I honestly feel like teaching the kids to give back and show them how lucky they are makes this time of year more special. And while Jackson is the only one who really gets it, we will continue to do this year after year in hopes they continue giving back to their community. We’re all just trying to raise good, decent, loving humans and I often feel like I’m failing. But at least this time of year, I can really show them how lucky they are and hope they find it in their heart to want to give back.
I hope you are all finding ways to make this year special.. because we know it will be memorable! Thanks a lot, 2020. Really looking forward to a new year.
xx, H
