It’s truly coming down to the wire. Christmas is less than two weeks away and I’m just now getting a hint of the spirit.
If *someone* were to announce her pregnancy at her Christmas Party to all her family & friends, what’s a creative way to do it? Oh, and there will be a Santa visiting with gifts for the kids if that helps.
- Ooh how fun!! I’d set something up with the Big Guy ahead of time if possible. Buy a set of holiday cards. Sign them with the words, “[Wife and Hubby's names] are expecting, [Month], 2009!!” and address them to each person attending. Enlist Santa to pass them out and have everyone open them at once!
- Or, buy a onesie and fabric paint it with , “Joining the family in 2009!” and wrap it. Arrange for Santa to give it to you and your husband, and open it together!
- Another option….buy “I’m the Big Sister/Brother” shirts for your other kids. Wrap them have them open the presents together.
- Bake sugar cookies and pipe “Baby, ’09″ in red and green frosting on them. Place them on the table and tell everyone, “cookies!”
- Make a toast with champagne (apple cider for you), “here’s to a healthy and happy 2009, and for our new arrival…”
I’m sure the readers could chime in on this one!
Christmas wrap or Christmas bags? Truly depends on the gift. I wrap the stuff that’s square or rectangular, and odd-shaped items go in a bag. The kids can use the colored Sunday comics, or color on large sheets of butcher paper to wrap gifts for siblings, parents, and friends.
How do you separate wrapping for the Santa gifts? I personally don’t wrap the Santa gifts. I buy one of those large bicycle bags (dollar store carries them…for a dollar lol) and I put all the unwrapped gifts in there and place it just outside our fireplace.
You could always buy separate wrap and keep it at a neighbor’s or relative’s home and wrap Santa gifts there then move them over on Christmas Eve. Little ones won’t notice as much but it does get tricky as the kids get older.
What is your take on giftcards for Christmas? It depends on the person. Adults and older children can appreciate the option to “buy what they want” at a later time with a giftcard. I wouldn’t buy a 4 year old a gift card. Little kids enjoy opening something tangible and ready-to-play-with is best.
Be careful though. I’ve seen many emails going around with lists of merchants that are going out of business which may leave your gift card void. I checked at Snopes[dot]com and found the following information…http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/storeclosings.asp.
What are some fun holiday traditions to start with my family? Baking is always fun and sampling your finished goods couldn’t be sweeter.
Loading in the car with a warm drink for everyone and heading out to look at Christmas lights is fun. We have a street in our town that goes ALL OUT for all the major holidays and Christmas is the most beautiful. I love the bonding and the conversations on those trips!
If your town offers a community theater showing of the Nutcracker, dress up and make that a special treat for the girls in your family. Grandma, Aunts, Sisters, Daughters alike!
Let your children choose a new ornament for the tree each year. Date them and every year when you decorate your tree share a memory of ornaments past.
Need a question answered, write to me at themomjen[at]gmail[dot]com. Find me at my other home, Cheaper Than Therapy-Musings of a Mom of 3.
The Mom Jen
Gotta say – it never dawned on me to wrap Santa’s presents in different paper than everything else. Hah! Can you tell we haven’t really drilled the whole Santa thing?
Wonderful Ideas. Thanks.
Great tips! I always go out and get a separate wrap from “the fat man”. This year I think he’s going to wrap in a trendy black and silver wrap… something snazzy for the kids!
I love the idea of a Santa sack! Of course I would need a fireplace, but still.
All sounds like great advice!
My take on gift cards…very impersonal. I only give those to people that I don’t know well enough like my brother in law.