Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids and Adults

 

Welcome to December!

   Most everyone is struggling in some way these days. Hopefully better days will come; but, for now, let's do what we can with what we've got where we are. The enemy of enjoying the Christmas season is expectation. Be frank with your children, and tell them that this is going to be a different kind of Christmas. Celebrate Jesus, and love your family and friends with gifts of time and resources. Think of unusual gifts, things recipient needs, or educational items (for the kids).

Here are some ideas to get you started....

For kids:

• Legos
• toys from historic sites
• polished stones from tourist shops
• non-fiction how-to books
• picture books
• classic chapter books
• socks and undies (Everyone needs them. ~wink~)
• pillows
• slippers
• mittens or gloves
• knit hats
• doll clothes
• matchbox cars
• ear buds

For adults:

• ingredients for recipes with recipe cards
•  I once wrapped the following things individually and gave them to my mother-in-love: 2 eggs, a stick of butter, a cake mix, and a mixer. By the time she got to the mixer, she was really enjoying herself and her crazy daughter-in-law.
• gas card
• STP
• chocolate covered cherries
• warm gloves
• knit hats
• scarves
• Christmas or other CDs
• books
• Bath and Body, Hobby Lobby, or other gift card
• earbuds
• car emergency kit
• bird feeder and birdseed

Use your imagination. There are lots of things that would be nice gifts that don't break the bank. Give one or give a basket, box, or stocking full if you wish.

Whatever you do, don't go into debt for a momentary gift. The important thing is to show love and/or friendship. Your loved ones and friends don't want you to go into debt for them.

God bless you all!

Laura

A Crippling Loss of an Unexpected Kind or a Candy Cane Mystery?

 

Photo by Madara Moroza on Unsplash

     I have been so excited to write to you this season about favorite recipes, memories, Christmas quotes, and ideas to enjoy Christmas a bit more this year. One of my favorite things to do is make Candy Cane Cocoa. I'm planning to share the recipe in a couple of days. I was in for a big surprise. Never in my lifetime did I expect this! The United States is experiencing a candy cane shortage!

    I like Bob's candy canes the best. I couldn't find them. I was searching for them on-line, and I was shocked to find that Walmart is charging $6.99 for a box of twelve Brach's candy canes— and they have to ship it to me! Every other flavor is $1.72. I then looked on Amazon, and I found that they are charging $9.98 for two boxes of twelve. Needless to say, candy canes aren't going on my tree or in my cocoa this year. I'm still going to share my original post about making the cocoa if you happen to find a sale.

    Since I was at the computer, I started Googling. Why the sudden price hike? It seems that in the last few years domestic sugar crops were lost in Hurricane Ida, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that many peppermint and spearmint crops were being lost to fungus. 

    We are definitely subject to supply chain issues. But now, for another surprise to me. When I Googled candy canes again, within five minutes of my first search, to check other sources, an ad from Walmart popped up with peppermint candy canes for $1.72! I clicked on it, and added it to my cart. Why were they only showing it as $6.99 before?

    This is definitely weird. Do we have a Crippling Loss or a Candy Cane Mystery?

    Well, if I can indeed purchase the candy canes for $1.72, I will be making a small batch of candy cane cocoa. I'll leave the rest of the candy canes for other sleuths to track down. Stay tuned for the recipe in a couple of days. 

    Happy Kringling dear reader!

    

    Laura

    Jesus be Glorified!

Here's a link to the story of the candy cane on YouTube. 

    

Just Something to Think About...Precendents and Children's Gifts

Christmas 2023

Hello everyone! 

    Christmas time is upon us. I wanted to share something that I wrote about a long while ago when my children were young. 

    I once heard some mothers talking about how their children were disappointed when they didn't receive a lot of gifts for Christmas.  It saddened me.  I have a word that guided my gift giving with my children.

Precedents.... What does that word mean to you?

    As I was looking for definitions, most were related to law precedents. That tells me it's a pretty strong word. I am most interested in the first definition that the American Heritage Dictionary presented:

"An act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances."

    This is the definition that has been a guiding thought for me. At times, in the past, money has been tight, and some years not quite so tight. Nevertheless, I always thought about the precedents that I was setting with my children when I chose gifts for celebrating special days and holidays. For instance, even when we could afford it, and we wanted to give our children their first bicycles, we didn't buy such a gift for Christmas or a birthday. We don't give many big gifts—we never have. The receipt of their bikes was an event in itself.

During the year, I look for gifts that I think they will enjoy. I put them away in a box until their birthdays, Christmas, or an I Love You Day. Because I don't usually give big gifts, they don't expect them. Because I don't give them often, they are thrilled when they receive one.

Does this mean my children are disappointed with their Christmas gifts?  On the contrary, they are happy with what they receive.  Thrilled in fact. 

When we don't set a high precedent of expectation, our children are free to be grateful for the gifts they do receive.  They can truly enjoy their gifts without thought of cost or quantity. 

I love my children.  I am not required to give them gifts.  I want to give them gifts.  They know that.  They are thankful and enjoy the gifts because they know I am giving them out of love.

Just something to think about...

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Laura

Hope You Have a Lovely Thanksgiving Weekend!

 

The turkey has been eaten,

the sweet potatoes consumed,

the potatoes, gravy and mac & cheese enjoyed,

and the napping is in session.

Pie and putting up the tree to follow tonight.

My thoughts,

while I clean up a bit,

are turning to Christmas.

Sunday is the first.

I'll be back writing about all things 

Kringling and Christmas

for the month of December.

I love my Jesus and my family.

My thoughts and my actions are devoted to both;

but, this time of year, I'm Kringling, too.

Come back Sunday to hear about Kringling.

Be blessed!

Laura 

You might enjoy:

Regarding Santa Claus

Lately in Photos

Happy Thanksgiving prepping!

Laura 

Strategize NOW for a Stress LESS Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  Yes, it's really here!

Some of you us may be getting a little stressed at this point. Thanksgiving is but a couple of days away. Mmmm... I'm dreaming of sweet potato casserole with lots of pecans! Oh, pinch me and wake me up! Back to planning.

• First, take a deep breath. Now, go take your turkey out of the freezer. Put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly and safely.  Are you still reading? Stop it! Go get that turkey in the fridge and meet me back here in five minutes. ~smile~ 

• Get yourself a delicious drink, light a candle, and put on some relaxing music.  Pandora has some great Christmas music.  I like the Jim Brickman and Bing Crosby Christmas stations. Spotify has some great music, too. They let you build your own play list. 

• Sit down with paper and pen right now and think think think.

We have a lot of control over how much tension we have in our own minds over holiday dinners. Planning is so very important. 

• Plan your meals for each day from now until the end of the holiday weekend. Try to use the food you have on hand as much as possible to save your money for special items you will need to celebrate. Plan for a few impromptu snacks as well.  Write this out for every meal. Then make a list of every item you will need. Example

• Now, ask yourself a few questions. Where will you be for Thanksgiving?  Will you be providing the meal?  Bringing something to a dinner?  Traveling?  Needing snacks for the car?  Candles?  Decorations?  Jot down any notes you might need.

• Make a cooking timeline. I had to follow a timeline when my children were little, and I did most of the cooking. Now that the kids and my hubby help me cook, it's not as critical as it once was, but I still have to know what to cook when!

When you're done with all of this, you should have a shopping list. 

First, shop your pantry and freezer. Check off what you already have. You should be left with a shopping list. Check it twice and add anything else you need.

Now, plan to go to the store as soon as possible. Take your list!

I know it's coming fast, but pray, breathe, and believe that you can get it all done peacefully. Remember—perfect is only in magazines and books. 

This is your real life. 

Live it well by enjoying the journey.

Happy Thanksgiving preparations,

Laura

Who will be following her own advice!

A Little Fireplace That Fills a Big Longing ~ Christmas Gift Idea

    My husband and I have been privileged to have a fireplace or woodstove in a few of our homes. Unfortunately, we do not have one now. We've really missed it. Purchasing and installing one will cost thousands. Bummer.

    When I found this little fire pit, I thought, why not? We enjoy candles. Maybe. Just maybe this will give us a hint of what we are missing.

    Boy howdy! It did!

    It cannot be simpler to use. A little rubbing alcohol is all we needed, and that was in the medicine cabinet. My husband poured a little in, and lit it. We were amazed and delighted with the effect. It lasted just about an hour. We enjoyed it immensely. The sturdiness of the pit calmed my nerves when the fire got big. I was confident that we wouldn't accidentally knock it over.   I'm sharing it with you; because, we are really enjoying it. 

    We had friends over for supper and made s'mores for dessert last weekend. We had so much fun!

     If you, too, long for a fire, but have no way to make it happen, this is a great alternative. 

    Let's make our Thanksgiving time, our Christmas time, and our winter time a bit cozier using whatever means the LORD brings to our minds and our abilities.

    Happy Novembering!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Happy Christmassing!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Momma's Making Christmas

UPDATE:

This product has been recalled.