Fun doing service

The first week is done, and we have had so much fun doing our service with a smile.
This week, we brought donations to the food bank, dropped off toys to the school toy drive, helped cook a dish for our church Christmas party, gave gifts to our basketball coaches to thank them, and sang for someone who is very sick in the hospital. My boys favorite thing this week was when we drove through Tim Hortons, and paid for the order behind us. They were so excited, they asked me to drive slow, so they could watch the people's faces behind us, when they came to the window and the lady told them their order had been paid for. They found so much joy in sharing, and look forward to doing more this week. One day we had to give 5 compliments to people, and really mean them. They reported at dinner time, who they complimented, or helped, and how it made them feel.
I am really enjoying this season much more, when we have something kind to do each day. Tonight we are dropping off goodies to our local fire department, and the boys hope they will get to see the fire truck up close!
They are also starting to talk about getting each other gifts, with the money they have been saving up. This has been a nice change, since most of the time they only think about themselves. Maybe we will conquer this youth entitlement afterall.

Is your shopping under control?

Around this time of the year, we all hit the stores and shop like crazy trying to get everyone the perfect gift. They we buy, and buy and buy some more. If you are like me, I  forget what I already have, and see a terrific item on sale, and think "That would be perfect", and I buy it. My kids do not need much, and we try hard not to spoil them (this is part of them growing up not expecting so much too!)
My sister gave me a great idea last year to keep shopping under control.

Each kid gets something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. 

That is it. We buy 4 gifts for each child. I am finding it difficult as their toy want list keeps growing, but I am going to stick with the plan. Santa brings them their favorite thing, and other family members get them things too, so why do we feel as parents that we have to get every item on the list to make them happy. Does that really make them happy?

The Experiment at Christmastime

We are now on to month #4 in the ongoing getting rid of youth entitlement experiment here in our home. Since Christmas is just around the corner, we decided to give the kids a bit of a break. Not much, just a bit!
They are currently keeping their rooms clean, beds made, making meals and cleaning up once a week, and doing laundry without a complaint (at least not too many complaints. I still find some clothes just dumped on a chair in the room, so I just take 2 coins, and eventually those clothes are put where they belong).
 Today we cashed in, and the boys were asking what the next challenge is. I am grateful they are still happy to participate.
For December, we are doing SERVICE WITH A SMILE. Every day on our advent calendar there will be a piece of paper that will say what we are going to do that day to serve someone else. Yes, that is right, every day this entire month.
We created a list of things we could do together, and Mom filled in the rest. I wanted to include things that would really help them to overcome being shy with others. Otherwise, we will be making cookies everyday and dropping them on people's doorsteps and running away. They have to learn to show proper manners when giving.

Here is our list:

1. Donate a new toy to the school

2. Donate food to food bank (at the church party and craft fair entrance)

3. Donate clothing/bedding to Phillippines

4. Donate an item for an adopted family (Scott’s work and Tyler’s class)

5. Attend the Church Christmas Dinner (make a dish to share)

6.Attend a Christmas Musical (give a gift to one of the performers)

7. Attend the Kids Christmas Active Party (make a new friend)

8. Be Secret Elves to 2 families (wrap all gifts, put on doorstep, ring bell and run)

9. Drive around looking at Christmas lights and leave money donations if they are asking

10. Sing Carols on Christmas Eve to our neighbours

11. Hold an open house and invite the street over.

12. Give gifts to elderly single men and women that we know.

13. Sort through toys and find good condition ones we don’t use and donate to toy bank

14. Make and give cookies to our missionaries and friends

15. Give special German cookies in cloth bag to our teachers and wish them a Merry Christmas!

16. Set up our Christmas Tree and spend time together

17. Make ornaments for the tree (paper/ribbon in glass balls)

18. Record a song as a family and send via email to friends/family.

19. Deliver goodies to our local Fire and Police Departments

20. Sing songs at the Care home.

21. Leave a special surprise for the mail carrier (in the mail box)

22. Serve each other. Do something nice in secret for each other.

23. Go shopping and pick out a gift for a member of the family

24. Smile at everyone you see today, and remember to say thank you

25. Donate warm clothes to our local homeless

26. Invite someone over for dinner that is all alone on Christmas.

27. Drive through Tim Hortons and pay for the persons order behind us

28. Compliment 5 people today and really mean it

29. Do something kind for someone today and tell us about it at dinnertime

30. Make Christmas cards and give to our friends and family

31. Shovel snow for someone else (or take in their garbage if there is no snow)

If you need more ideas:

http://momlifetoday.com/2012/11/25-ways-your-family-can-serve-together-this-holiday-season/

http://www.amylsullivan1.com/2012/11/99-ways-to-serve-your-family-and-world.html

http://creatingnaturally.com/tis-the-season-to-serve-7-practical-ways-to-serve-others-this-christmas/

Wrap It Smart

Wrap It Smart

Reusable

Washable

Saves Time and Money

No Garbage

Simple to use

Unbelievably Hassle Free

This is the poem I hand out for those who purchase the bags. My kids give these to their teachers each year, and I attach this to the bags, so they know what they are for! 

Wrap It Smart

No scissors, no tape, no garbage, no mess

Wrapping your gifts will take no time at all

Just put the gift in, tie it up with a string

Reuse them each year and just have a ball

Wrap It Smart

Cloth Bags

The smart way to wrap gifts…

 S…$2

M…$4

L…$6

XL…$10

Bottle…$4

This is what the set up for the craft fair looked like! 
Simple and Easy...just like the product.

Craft Fairs

I love the idea of reusable cloth bags for wrapping all my gifts at Christmas. Check out my post: Cloth Christmas Bags
I was interested in seeing what the world of craft fairs is all about, so I registered to see if this was a product that others would be interested in.
In truth, I really want to encourage others to be more earth friendly, and to find ways to simplify their lives (especially at Christmas time, when there can be so much stress). These bags are just one way to make things hassle free in our lives, and it feels so good to wrap the gifts all up in minutes, and then have no garbage on Christmas morning.

Scott and I worked together to come up with prices, display and a business plan. Well, actually, he did an entire spreadsheet, working out the square inch of each size, how much it cost for each bag, what my expenses were, and what I should charge. He is so number savvy. He even had the great idea to put the pricing and information in picture frames. What a smart man I married.

The craft fair was a bit disappointing. It was in a poor location, not well advertised, and only about 50 people came through the entire day. I was hoping for a better trial run.

But, I still had a great day.

I found out there is some really valuable information about craft fairs online. If you want to try it yourself, there are list of what to bring, what to say, and suggestions on how to display.

I was lucky that I did not have to pay for my table at this one, but most others you are looking at around $25.00 to rent the space for the day. Most of the craft fairs want you to donate a door prize, which can also take away from your profit..and it is really tough not to spend money when you see so many other neat crafty things. I was also lucky to have a good friend right next to me, so I had someone to chat with, otherwise, I would have been very bored. And I hope that people know when they go to a craft fair that some of these people spend hours making their home made products. My friend made cranberry steamed puddings which take two hours each just to bake. There is a reason they charge what they do! I am lucky that I can make mine in advance, and at a low cost. I keep them very simple, because again...I want to encourage simplicity!

I will try again on November 17th at the Alex Hope Elementary School in Walnut Grove, Langley. Come on by and see them for yourself!

Garbage Free Christmas Morning

Scott pointed out to me that this was our first garbage free Christmas morning. Every one of our gifts was wrapped in a reusable cloth bag, even Santa borrowed some! It took me 15 mins. to "wrap" all our gifts. And when I had an odd shaped present, I just custom made a bag to fit it.
The packages looked beautiful, with all sorts of different sizes and patterns. The boys had just as much fun opening bags as they would have paper. And when we were all done, the bags were all folded up and placed into one to be used next year. I love it! And since we were travelling, the bags helped keep everything together for the trip home. That is right, we did not lose one piece of Lego, Uberstiks or Mr. Potato Head body parts. HAHAHAHA!
We even saved money this year by giving reusable bags as gifts to teachers, friends and co-workers. Then they could all enjoy a hassle free Christmas too!
If you would like to try it, check out my post on Christmas Cloth Bags. You can buy them, make your own...or ask me...I will most likely be selling them next year. They are so wonderful.

Cloth Christmas Bags...reduce, reuse, recycle!

I love cloth Christmas bags!

• They eliminate garbage on Christmas morning
• I never have to buy wrapping paper or tape
• We reuse them every year
• There are lots of different colours and patterns under the tree
• They make great gift ideas for friends and teachers
• Wrapping gifts takes no time at all...just drop in the gift, and tie it shut!
• Every gift can fit, and the wrapping looks beautiful.
• They are easy to make (even for individuals who are sewing challenged, like me!)
• I feel like I am doing my part to protect the environment.

Here is a shot of what some of ours look like:

My mother in law has used cloth Christmas bags ever since her kids were young. She is the one who gave me the idea. The bags she made are still around..and we continue to use them every year. She has made all sizes...even very small for stocking gifts. Once the gift is put in, and tied up with ribbon, we just attach the tag either to the ribbon or stick it to the bag. It is so fast. It is also great fun to see the material patterns change over the years, and to feel a connection to the past. 

Check out the bags in this video...they do not even use ribbon!

I think I will make some like these this year, and then we can just punch a hole in the tag, and stick it on the ring. So clever.

Go ahead... make your own. 

This ehow video will explain. 

Christmas Advent Calendar - Closer to Christ and Family

Our Advent Calendar

Tis the Season for FAMILY

If anyone thinks for one minute that I am crafty enough to make this..think again..my talents lie in cleaning and organizing, remember? 

I found this at a craft fair and knew it would be perfect. 

The plastic pockets are great for tiny treats, notes, or a small Christmas ornament to move each day.

This year we are trying to be more centered on Jesus Christ, so each day they will remove one of the notes and on the back will be one scripture to read, and one fun thing to do as a family.

 Here are the days, if you wish to use kind of thing for your advent calendar:

Dec 1 - Matthew 1:16     Give to the Elementary School toy drive
Dec 2 - Luke 1:18-20     Put out your favorite Christmas decorations
Dec 3 - Luke 1: 24-25     Attend Christmas Parade
Dec 4 - Luke 1:26-27     Attend a Christmas music concert
Dec 5 - Luke 1:57, 62-62     Make paper snowflakes
Dec 6 - Luke 2:4-5     Watch a Christmas movie
Dec 7 - Luke 2:7     Make cranberry apple cider
Dec 8 - Luke 2:8     Make beaded Christmas ornaments          
Dec 9 - Luke 2:9-11     Kids Christmas Party (work)
Dec 10 - Luke 2:12     Decorate the Christmas Tree
Dec 11 - Luke 2:13-14     Start the 12 Days of Christmas tradition
Dec 12 - Luke 2:15     Tell someone you love them
Dec 13 - Luke 2:16     Give to a sponsor family (work)
Dec 14 - Luke 2:17-19     Kids Choice...what do you want to do today?
Dec 15 - Luke 2:20     Give to the food bank
Dec 16 - Luke 2:25-26, 34-35     Last Day of School...give notes to friends!
Dec 17 - Luke 2:27-29     View the lights at the local park
Dec 18 - Luke 2:36-39     Make Christmas cookies
Dec 19 - Matthew 2:1     Go skating
Dec 20 - Matthew 2:2    Learn your favorite Christmas song on the piano
Dec 21 - Matthew 2:3-10    Give to a family in need (church)
Dec 22 - Matthew 2:11-12     Make/Wrap your gift for your family
Dec 23 - Matthew 2:13-15     Learn to ski
Dec 24 - What gift will you give to Christ?
Dec 25 - Merry Christmas!

   

Clutter and Christmas

I was pondering this week about Clutter and Christmas.

We love stuff. We fill our lives with stuff, because we think it will bring happiness. We shop and buy more stuff that eventually fades and breaks and is thrown away. Stuff clutters our homes and creates organization problems. Where are we going to store all our stuff?

Christmas is already on the shelves in every shop. You are already thinking about what you are getting for your family. Some of you are preparing for the Black Friday sales coming up next month, or are looking through online stores to find the perfect thing for that perfect someone.

Is it all worth it?

There are a few things that we are going to do differently this year for Christmas, to prevent more clutter (as well as reduce waste) and bring more Christ into our lives.
Giving instead of Getting.
Sharing instead of more Stuff.
I urge you to ponder it for yourself, and share with us any further ideas you may have.

• We ask the boys to go through the toys they own, and find ones that they no longer play with that can be donated to children in need.
• We are giving them "experiences". This year we are going to teach them to ski!
• Creating long lasting memories by taking old VCR tapes and turning them into DVDs to watch together. Our boys love nothing better than to see their dad when he was their age.
• Each member of the family picks a name and has to make or do something for that person on Christmas day.
• We use cloth Christmas bags for gifts instead of tape and wrap. 
• We do an advent...but not with candy...we put in one thing we are going to do that day.
• Look at the world vision gift guide. You choose the card, and they choose the gift. There are all sorts of amazing ways to help. Buy a goat, chickens, school supplies, soccer balls, toys, medicine...
• Create an online Christmas card to send out to our family and friends.
• When I was young, my family would all go out carolling on Christmas eve to our neighbours, it is something I miss, and want to start with my own family this year.
• Contact your Church Authority, or the local Christmas Bureau and adopt a family for Christmas. You get to have all the fun shopping, but you are buying for someone else.

I have to be honest, I am going to do some Black Friday shopping this year. I have never been before, and I am kind of excited for the adventure of waking up early and seeing what all the craziness is about. And please, don't think that we do not give each other gifts, we do...and Santa still comes of course...as well as grandparents!

I am just trying to make our Christmas more meaningful and searching for a way to have peace instead of stress during the month of December!

If you have any thoughts, please share them.