An Uncomplicated Holiday: Resisting the Rush

by on December 12, 2011
in holidays & celebrations · 11 Comments

The following post is by Megan Tietz and originally appeared in December 2009. With just a little less than two weeks until Christmas, I thought her words would serve as a good, gentle reminder to keep the holidays simple for our kids and for ourselves. Enjoy! – Kara

With just ten days left until Christmas Day, the pace is beginning to quicken in my home.

Does it feel that way for you?

It seems that no matter how devoted I am to the pursuit of an uncomplicated holiday, the days leading up to Christmas and New Years feel more and more frenzied.  I find myself doing frequent “tension checks” throughout the day – noticing the curt responses to my children, the nagging weight of gifts still not purchased, and the inner turmoil over the dwindling Christmas budget.

When I take a moment to step back and assess what helps me resist the rush in the countdown to Christmas, I’ve noticed three practices that inspire me to an enjoyment of the season rather than an attitude of “I must endure.”

1) Stay out of the stores.

We’ve thoughtfully planned out our children’s Christmas presents, using the “Something she wants, something she needs, something to wear, something to read” idea as we made our purchases.  Yet a simple dash into the discount store or a brisk walk through the mall leaves me feeling bombarded with all that my children will not be receiving this year.

My days are so much more simple and guilt-free when I can stay out of the stores (and curtail my internet browsing as well!).

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Weekend Links

by on December 11, 2011
in showcase · 1 Comment

Guess who learned how to blow raspberries?

No-Sew, No-Knit Homemade Gift Ideas (updated for 2011)

by on December 9, 2011
in crafts, holidays & celebrations · 29 Comments

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck. It originally appeared in November 2010 and has been updated for 2011.

Last year, I wrote about homemade gift ideas and shared with you what I was working on Christmas 2010.  Since I’m a knitter and I dabble at sewing, many of the gifts on that list were related to those skills.

I got a request for ideas that don’t involve knitting or sewing and I thought that would be a helpful idea for a post.  So, here you go: a round- up of homemade gifts ideas that don’t involve any sewing or knitting – updated for 2011.

Handmade Gift Ideas: The No-Sew, No-Knit Version

I have been going through my bookmarks, my Pinterest boards, as well as some of my favorites from this year’s Weekend Links posts, and have pulled together a list of no-sew, no-knit gift ideas for kids. (Note: I have not personally tried all of these).

Blocks

This year our family has been doing some woodworking and my oldest two kids are helping their Dad make a set of blocks for our youngest.  The blocks we are making are simple rectangles and squares that the kids are measuring and cutting (with help from Mom &  Dad).  Max and Jillian are sanding the blocks smooth and we will give them a light beeswax polish finish before giving them to Lucy.

2011 notes:  these were a big hit and have turned out to be a terrific present idea that we can add to.  This year Jillian and her dad have been busy in the woodshop and we’ve got a few more blocks, including some arches and longer pieces, to put in Lucy’s stocking this year.

Tree blocks (blocks with the tree bark intact) are also a favorite of ours and I found a tutorial for making them here at Counting Coconuts.

Other Wooden Gift Ideas:

 

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Eight Lessons from Hanukkah for All of Us

by on December 7, 2011
in holidays & celebrations · 14 Comments

The following was written by contributor Robin Zipporah of The Not-Ever-Still Life. It originally appeared in November of 2010.

When Hanukkah begins this Wednesday night I’ll light the brightly-colored candles with my family, sing the ancient blessings and traditional songs, and delight in my kids’ enjoyment of the holiday. And then I’ll wash dishes or pay bills or fold laundry, I’ll tuck my little ones into sleep, and I’ll prepare for work on Thursday.

In terms of religious significance Hanukkah is actually a minor festival. We make time in our schedules to remember a long-ago miracle but we move about our regular days. It’s a little sparkle at the beginning of winter. Its significance is conflated because of its proximity to Christmas, but really, they’re not in the same league.

Still, I think there’s something in Hanukkah for everybody:

1. Let your light shine out.

The two-sentence version of the Hanukkah story is that when the Eternal Flame in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was extinguished, only enough oil to relight it for one day could be found. God made the day’s oil ration burn for eight days, the time it took for messengers to travel and return with more rations. Jews light the Hanukkah candles to remember the miracle of the oil, and they light them in their windows and doorways to publicize the miracle. What gifts can you share with your neighbors?

2. Develop the long view.

We’re commemorating a story that occurred over 2000 years ago. It still matters. Can you imagine what impact your actions will have in 2000 years? How can we add relevance to our everyday lives?

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10 Great Gifts for Kids Under $25

by on December 5, 2011
in books and music, holidays & celebrations · 9 Comments

The following is by editor Kara Fleck.

Unless you’re one of the lucky few who is already done with their holiday shopping (and, yes, I do know a few folks who claim to be finished) then you are currently looking over your list and checking it twice.

Here are a few gift ideas for kids to get you started, all under $25.

Books

First on my list because I believe that books are a can’t miss gift.  Books are great to give kids young and old, boys and girls alike.

A few of our current favorites:

You could combine a gift of the book Strega Nona with this adorable wooden Strega Nona and her magic pasta pot from etsy seller Crunchy Family Rising and you’d have a lovely gift for just under $25.

Check out our Books & Music category for more ideas.

2. A Hippopotamus for Christmas

Photo by Happy Bungalow
Speaking of etsy, I have recently been introduced to the Happy Bungalow shop.  Don handcrafts wonderful items from wood.  Does your child want a hippopotamus for Christmas?  This adorable stocking stuffer is extra special because Happy Bungalow will donate 40% of all its handmade hippo sales between now and December 31st to Heifer International and Cincinnati charity The Neediest Kids of All.  Be sure to check out the wooden chickens, giraffes, and the doll house furniture, too.

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