Christmas Day

After church, we changed our clothes and ate lunch. Then it was FINALLY time to open our remaining presents.

We did something a little different this year. I wanted our focus to be on service and Christ...and less on getting and gifts. Jason and I agreed that each person would receive 3 gifts; a gift of "wonder", a gift of "usefulness" and a gift of "meaning".

I also focused more on the wrapping of presents, since I would have less to wrap. I used cute brown paper wrappings, white yarn pom-poms, unique tags and cute ribbon. It was fun to have cute presents under our tree. :)

I should clarify...everyone's gifts were wrapped except for Treyson's. Treyson had snooped in my closet and found one of his gifts. So instead of lecturing or punishing, I chose NOT to wrap his gifts. I tied a bow and label each one and put them under the tree. He could see all that he was getting. It was interesting to see that he wasn't that excited about opening gifts this year. Wonder if he'll have the desire to snoop again. Time will tell. :)

I like our new 3 gift tradition, but I'll have to say, there was a little bit of an adjustment. Honestly it was a little hard for Jason and I to narrow down gift giving to only 3 gifts...but it was good. The kids went along with it. They were a little confused at first, but they enjoyed what they got.

We tried to get things they REALLY wanted/needed, instead of lots of little things just because they were a good price/on sale. Less trinket-y... more sustenance... I think.

We will continue this tradition, but possibly make some adjustments along the way.