I’m in danger of appearing fastidiously organised but it’s true: I’m thinking about Christmas. Many of my precious childhood memories are bound up with the magic of Christmas: the lights; the music; the joy; the tree; the decorations; the presents; the nativity story; family; friends; the pure excitement of Christmas Morn. No “Bah Humbug” here; I love Christmas.
I’m blessed to be part of a large family. Now, when I say large, I mean really BIG. When I count, just family, I have 40 presents to buy so if I’m not somewhat organised, well, I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. {Hint: Kelly running around with a fist full of hair.}
Below are six of my Christmas-thinkings.
1. Christmas Presents Box
I have a present box at the end of my bed (or as Tina writes, keep a gift closet – which sounds much more romantic). During the respective year, I buy presents, mostly on a drastic special, and place them in the box. I don’t necessarily know who each present is for, I have a vauge idea of what gifts I’m looking for. Close to Christmas I go through the gifts and find that my shopping is almost done.
My Present Box
2. Christmas Cards
I’ve given up on traditional Christmas cards in favour of personalised photo cards. Monique from Your Cheeky Monkey writes about being on the lookout for the best Christmas photo of her boys so she is prepared early. I think this a great idea.
InkPink Designs did my gorgeous photo Christmas cards in 2009.
Christmas Card Ideas: Made by Meeya & InkPink Designs
3. A Special Outfit
The festive season is party season, from playgroup break-ups to work functions. If you are looking for an outfit, think causal elegance so you have the best of both worlds: a little bit of glamour plus a lot of comfort. Here’s some ideas:
Sara Ruffle Dress $69.95 Emerge Ruffle Dress $79.95 Capture Shift Dress $59.95
Watch my Elegant Christmas Hair-do video tutorial
4. Craft
Do you need ideas for your Playgroup, Mother’s group or Sunday School? Below are some of my Christmas Crafts. My favourite is the Christmas Wreath Tree Decoration craft. This would be a fun gift pack to make up for nieces and nephews too.
Christmas Wreath Tree Decoration
5. Santa Claus
Our family doesn’t focus on Santa at Christmas-time and the children don’t receive presents ‘From Santa’. Firstly, when my children were very young, they were afraid of him, and fair enough I say; what could be worse than being handed over to a strange man with a long white beard for a photo? Secondly, Santa Claus is not the main reason for Christmas, and so I strive for balance on this issue. I’m certainly not taboo Santa: Santa can be fun in moderation, and my husband has been known to dress up for the children; however, our family focuses on the Birth of Jesus and the spirit of giving.
I’d be interested in reader’s opinion about ‘believing in Santa Claus’. My children don’t ’believe’ in Santa; however, I respect other families decision to play the game and I teach my children to be considerate and not to spoil the surprise for them. Colin from SuperParents has a clever solution to this predicament in the Santa Claus Club.
My husband playing Santa, minus the beard
6. Life-Changing Gift
There are opportunities to purchase a life-changing gift for those living in extreme poverty instead of buying a present. For more information visit Gift Opportunity. I love this way of giving.
Do you have any Christmas-thinkings? Tell me! Or maybe don’t or I might just get carried away.
To see pictures of the entire range of Christmas Crafts on this blog, click here: Christmas Crafts.
Not into Christmas? I appreciated these posts:
Not into Santa? Read these posts:
Christmas Ideas
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
My youngest is 23, so the Santa days are over. But here’s my yarn:
I think Tim was about 9 and as far as I knew, he still believed in Santa, still hung up his stocking on Christmas Eve and was delighted with its contents at 5.00 am next morning. One day he slipped up, and made a comment about Santa being make-believe.
I pounced. “What? I thought you believed in Santa!”
He shrugged. “I know you did. I thought if I told you I didn’t, I wouldn’t get as many presents.”
Mercenary little beast!
Love your ideas, Kelly, especially those gorgeous photo cards!
Ha-Ha-Ha! Or should I say Ho-Ho-Ho! That is so funny. What a witty thing to say. I like it.
you are way too organised!!!
I’m not really… just when it comes to Christmas I am. lol
Sorry Kel, I don’t share your enthusiasm for all things Christmas! Though I think you’re just too cute in your enthusiasm!! Just call me Scrooge … there are a number of reasons behind my antipathy, in fact I wrote two blog posts about it, http://footprintsaustralia.com/blog/2009/12/06/ghosts-of-christmas-past/ and also http://footprintsaustralia.com/blog/2009/12/14/bah-humbug/. If you get a chance they will shed some light on my feelings!
I’ll head over now and read them Janet. My Mum LOVED Christmas — so much. I guess my love for Christmas comes a lot from that.
LOVE those dresses you have picked out!! May just have to have a closer squiz
They are so pretty aren’t they.
I am also a lover of all things Christmas. We have chosen not to do Santa with our kids. I wrote a blog post about it last year here: http://worksformehomemaking.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/why-we-dont-do-santa-controversial-post/
Because we don’t do Santa, I am focussing on developing other family traditions and making Christmas a fun and exciting time for our kids in other ways. I wrote some other posts about our traditions last year. I’m nowhere near as organised as you at this point thought – I don’t really start thinking about it all until November!
Good on you Julie, for thinking about it deeply and deciding what is best for your family. I enjoyed your post. There are so many beautiful Christmas traditions and when I think about what I remembered, it was more about Jesus, family, Dad reading the Christmas Story, Holidays, Presents and food.
We choose to acknowledge Santa but don’t make a big deal of it.
I love Christmas too – and just yesterday thought I should start getting my act together….I have a gift shelf in a cupboard, and also try to do the buying throughout the year. We don’t do Santa with the kids – and they are ok with that. They too were scared of him when they were little (so was I!) They know that some families have Santa – but “it’s just a game some families play, and it’s our little secret so we won’t spoil it for others.” So far, it’s working. We also participate in Operation Christmas Child each year (by Samaritan’s Purse) – and have other traditions that make it special.
You’ve inspired me to get planning….
We enjoy doing Operation Christmas Child too.
I wonder, what is”Do Santa’ with the kids? My children don’t get presents form Santa is that ‘Do Santa’?
noooooo… not Christmas!!
I want to be organised… I so want to start now and really really be organised…. but then a big part of me wants to just pretend it isn’t happening….
lol… Just wait until the decorations go up in the shops… I won’t be long
Great post Kell!
I don’t think Jessyka belives in Santa any more, however she wont tell us she doesn’t know, i think for fear of not getting any presents LOL
This year, the family (except children of course) are doing no presents, but I’m going to be giving them something home made – Brownies in a jar, cookies in a jar and something else in a jar – not sure what yet though
They’re so easy to make and are fabulous cheap gifts. I also store little pressies on special through out the year for the kids santa sacks and I’ve done all my shopping already! 
I looove being organized! now to unpack them all, fill with batteries and wrap!
LOL…. cute.
I think it’s a great idea not to do presents for the adults. It’s just a little too much sometimes I think. But it’s fun to spoil the kids hey.
I love the brownies jar thing… I’ll have to blog about that one. xx
Christmas!? Already! My how this year has flown!! Although..i do adore christmas time..carols!!
K xx
YAY Carols!
Isn’t ezibuy great! I love all of those dresses that you’ve chosen. I have become a tad obsessed with ezibuy since having my bub. It is just so much easier to buy online rather than having to trek to the shops! I have also found that looking for presents online (for Christmas or birthdays) can be really helpful as it saves a lot of money too. I am also from a big family so starting Christmas shopping early is a must!
My husband and I are both commited Christians and we have decided that we will have santa for our kids. Our little man is only 10 months old so he hasn’t really expressed any thoughts on the matter yet, but we both grew up with Santa and didn’t feel that it had a negative impact on our relationship with God so as long as our kids want Santa we will have him.
I have a similar expierence to you Megan. Both my husband and I grew up with a little of Santa, and there was no negative impact on our relationship with God. Oh and Ezibuy is FANTASTIC for Mums hey!
Oh my, I think I’m in a bit of denial about Christmas! Thanks for helping me get ideas and start seriously thinking about it.
I discovered the idea of a ‘Christmas box’ a couple of years ago and think it is the best idea I have ever come accross. Although it is only August I have more than half my Christmas shopping done and the family will be getting some fantastic presents this year and they wouldn’t believe the prices I have picked them up for in sales throughout the year (and I will certainly not be telling them!!) I would recommend the ‘Christmas box’ for everyone
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