Not too long ago, we were holding a Massive Clean-up Event. You've done the same thing, right? M. C. events happened when you've completely lost your mind with the toys, parts, thingamajigs, crayons, scraps, books, shoes and socks all laying about.
Often during the M. C. event one might become very frustrated, and yet one wouldn't want to loose their temper ( you know, it just isn't nice....no love growing during those times....).
So instead of yelling, one might simply, even off-handedly, said,
"I think this Christmas will be a one gift Christmas. You guys have so much. Really, you are very lucky."
Imagine one's surprise when the reply comes,
"That's okay mom, you're right." ( the middle one)
"Yeah mom, we get stuff from grandparents and everyone....really, one gift is okay." (the oldest)
So one might play it off like she meant to say that...cuz you know she did, she's cool like that.

So wow. This year a one gift Christmas.....

Now, we also observe St Nickolas day. Which I love. We read all the stories and poems, print out the coloring and activity pages.
It is a tradition we chose to start when the oldest was very little. She was getting so wrapped up in Santa and Rudolph and I was already worried about her reaction at finding out the "truth", so we learned the truth about St Nick.
They will set their shoes outside their bedroom doors on Dec. 5th, on the morning of the 6th they will hold gold coins & little trinkets. Which is another reason why one gift for Christmas sounded okay... St Nickolas day brings several little goodies, all is not lost~!

So I find myself really considering the gifts this year, and with all the handmade talk about, I'm leaning toward these ideas:

knitting kit
puppet theater (found a pattern in a back issue of family fun)
leather work

what's turning your head this shopping season?