Friday, November 6, 2009

Here comes Christmas, elves and all


We have not even bought our Thanksgiving turkey and there are jolly little elves dragging magical-looking green and red wrapped gifts across my computer screen. Yep, it wasn't my imagination, here they come again with their impish little faces, reminding me it is time to get cracking with the gift shopping.
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With 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren to shop for this year, it can be a challenge finding something unique, fun, useful AND affordable for each one. My toddler grandson's mom is already hinting that a swing set would be nice for this year and I found a great assortment of swing sets to choose from at CSN Stores. I must admit, she was right when she gave me hints last year. I wonder if she was the one who put the toy store sales flyer under my windshield wiper. It did appear just after she left here last Sunday. Hmmmm.

One of our traditions (started by that same daughter) is having the kids make a gift wish scrapbook. This happens on Thanksgiving day as they wait for the turkey to come out of the oven. The house is heavily scented with nutmeg, cinnamon and the pungent undertone of poultry seasoning. The TV is tuned to the Christmas Parade and the kids' eyes are sparkling with wonder and excitement at the prospect of having all their wishes come true.

They sit at the breakfast nook table, or outside on the porch if it is warm enough, supplied with sales flyers, notebook paper, scotch tape, scissors and a pen.  The process sounds easy enough "make a wish flyer showing what, where and how much it costs." But it is complicated enough to keep them from underfoot for several hours. If they remember to put their names on each page it works well. Of course, we have to remind them that there are no guarantees in life.

Jingle bells, jingle bells...  okay, I think I feel the mood coming. Look out elves, here I come!

3 comments:

Danna Crawford said...

Here comes Grandma Clause, right down that Florida lane!!!!!
It must be exciting with grand kids about during the Holidays for sure!!! ENJOY and watch the budget,, lol

Susan Adcox said...

I love the idea of making wish lists on Thanksgiving. I did have my youngest daughter sit down with the Toys R Us flyer yesterday and circle the things she wanted. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the flyers tend to highlight the newest, most faddish toys rather than the old faithful stand-bys that I favor. I'm also always careful to tell the grandkids that there are no guarantees.

ConnieFoggles said...

I have to get my daughters to give me their wish lists early because I'll be doing my Black Friday shopping online. What fun!