12 Days of Christmas- Dollar Store Version

Ever thought that you would like to do the 12 Days from someone, but it just seemed overwhelming?  This is going to be easy.  And it will only cost $12-$15!  You are going to need to make a trip to the dollar store, print some tags on your computer, wrap the gifts, and decide whether you will deliver the gifts one at a time or drop off a bag of gifts and let the recipient open them one at a time.

Shopping List- (if you can’t find these items, substitute something similar.)
Chap Stick/ Lip Balm Gloves
Notebook and Pen Dishwashing Gloves/ Dish Detergent
Crosswords/ Sudoku Book Candle
 Measuring Cups  Hand Soap
Candy Hand Lotion
Fuzzy Socks 4x6 or 5x7 Picture Frame Download here. 4x6 PRINTS
5x7 PRINTS

Any items can be used- be creative!

INSTRUCTIONS: Download here INSTRUCTIONS

Print the “number” tags and cut out.
Download here.  NUMBER TAGS

Print the “labeling” gift tags and cut out. (optional)
Download here  LABELING TAGS

Wrap each gift with the labeling tag INSIDE the wrapping.  (No hints!)  Then securely attach a number tag on the outside of the gift.  You choose the order.

If you are going to make a one-time delivery, put all the gifts into a cute bag with a not of what they are supposed to do.  Our family likes to sneak up to the door, drop off the gift, ring the doorbell, and RUN! But, let’s face it, unless you have children who can run, that might not work for you!

And pondered them. . .

Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart. ...

I love this verse about Mary, the mother of Jesus.  She was a woman who had found favor with God and he had blessed her to be the mother of the Savior.  What a mind boggling thought.  I bet there were days when she didn't feel like it was such a blessing.  I imagine she was a bit put out when her 12 year old wasn't where she thought he was supposed to be.  And it probably was hard when he was out teaching the Gospel.  I imagine the neighbors had plenty to say that she had to hear and defend.  I cannot imagine her grief when her perfect son, The Perfect Son, was crucified.  How could she have understood in her immense grief the gift that he would be to us. . . to me. . . more than 2000 years later.

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ.  I feel joy at the thought that he was born and died that I might return to my Heavenly Father.  What an amazing plan.  I am grateful for his sacrifice for me- especially since I am often so unworthy of his great love.  It is such a blessing to have the love of Christ and Heavenly Father in my life on a daily basis. 

As I ponder these things in my heart throughout the coming year, I hope that I will be a better wife, mother, friend, and follower of Christ.  That is my gift to him.

Why Can't It Be Easy?

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is over already.  Isn't it amazing how a meal that takes a good three days to prepare turns into leftovers in about 20 minutes?  We cleaned up and got out of dodge.

We went to the cabin for the weekend, and had a wonderful time.  Ed and I discussed it this afternoon and we could not get over how well the boys got along and how helpful they were.  It is entirely possible that they are aliens.  Or that the turkey was drugged.  What ever happened, I hope it sticks.  It was a lot of fun.  We had beautiful weather and it was quiet.  What a blessing it is to have a great place to get away from "life" for a few days.

Since the Fairview/Mt. Pleasant area isn't exactly a shopping mecca, I didn't do ANY shopping.  OK. . . we did buy 4 3/8" wooden pegs for a total $.60 but that is not what I think of shen I think of Black Friday.   I have not bought one thing for any of my children.  Or my husband.  I have been teasing the boys that we are having a homemade Christmas and that if I can't make it, they aren't going to get it!  Parker immediately directed me to a kit that allows you to build a muzzle loader.  Very creative for a 15 year old!  Can you imagine me building a muzzle loader?  I'd have to tole paint it or something.

This afternoon I packed away all the Thanksgiving decorations.  I have been editing my decorations, so anything that I don't absolutely love is being donated to the DI.  That made it a lot easier to pack away the decorations because everything fit in the tubs.  "Editing" is such a refined word for "chuckin' stuff."

Then it was time to start thinking about Christmas decorations.  Last year we bought a 12' pre-lit tree.  We have a 16' peak in our family room area, but in the only place we can put a large tree, the height is apparently 12'!  The tree touched the ceiling and we couldn't even put the angel on!!!  I don't know what the heck we were thinking.  Maybe we were suckered into the whole "he who has the biggest tree, wins" thing.  I just don't know.

Anyway, I wasn't happy with the tree, but I didn't say anything since we had just bought it.  Today though, I fessed up.  Ed suggested that I put it on KSL classifieds and in 2 hours and 22 minutes it was sold!  Ed thinks I sold it for more than we paid, but I can't really remember.  I hope I did!  We bought it so late in the season last year that it was on clearance.  For those of you who don't remember last year's Palm Tree, you may need a refresher.  Anyway, I had the tree packed up nicely in two rolling garbage cans so that no dust or spiders could get in- I think that helped the sale.

I still have our 10' tree that we used for 6-7 years.  It is not pre-lit, which is why we bought the new one.  I put it on KSL, too, but if it doesn't sell I might put it up again.   I have found about a zillion strings of lights in the garage during my editing, so if I have to go back to my old tree, I'll have lots of lights to choose from!   I wish Christmas trees were easier to deal with.  I love the beauty, but hate the hassle!