I finish all my shopping by December 1st.
But also? I figure out by November 1st all our Christmas gifts, if not sooner. (This year I did way sooner so that I could shop the Amazon/Target/Walmart sales in mid-October.) I figure out what we’re giving KK, what we’re asking from my parents, what we’re giving teachers, what we’re giving each other, what we’re giving friends, everything.
I’ve learned these two self-imposed deadlines help me savor this time of year so much more. I’m also more likely to authentically enjoy gift giving, pick really intentional gifts, stay under budget, and not fall victim to the 398273 amazing gift guides coming out this time of year. win, win!
A few other things that really help me:
We have a line in our budget just for Christmas that we add to all year long.
Brett and I have a holiday planning date sometime in September or October where we figure out this year’s priorities. A roughhhh draft of our plans and priorities for the upcoming months, if you will. Like, we love to block off Christmas Eve evening and Christmas morning as time spent under our roof, just the four of us. And what about hosting a cozy pajama Christmas brunch for the cousins at the beginning of the December to kick-off the season, and maybe a hot cocoa bar Polar Express playdate with our friends? and do we want to go to that holiday parade - is it even worth going to? do we maybe want to see my family on this day? hey, any ideas about what we should eat Christmas morning? Taking time to dream about what we’d like the next few months to look like is so much fun (and makes saying no to the things not meant for us so much easier.) I love our holiday-planning date.
I keep wishlists for me, for Brett, for KK, and for Joey all year long. and anytime I think of something we want/need, I add it to the list. so not only is this a great reference for Christmas, it’s also a great reference for gifts from loved ones, for birthdays, for stockings, for Easter baskets, etc. And around this time of year, I use these lists for Christmas gift ideas, but I also think: what are things we need, or would get a lot of use of in the next year? And from there I decide Christmas gift ideas.
I also keep a list of our Decide Once gifts - many of which are our Christmas gift formulas. More on this in a second.
Let’s talk this year’s tentative plan for Christmas gifts.
First our are gift formulas, but after that I’ll list what we’re actually giving/receiving this year!
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Our gift Formulas:
The kids get three things each:
something they want*,
something they need,
and something to do together.
*My mom did this growing up and it was the best lesson. She’d ask, “If you could get just one gift for Christmas, what would it be? What one gift would you be thrilled to have?” And from there, we had to practice so many skills - skills I didn’t fully appreciate until I was grown. :) For now I choose gifts for the kids, but I’m excited for them to be apart of the conversation as they get older.
We do a similar formula for our birthdays - see our three birthday traditions here!
Then Brett and I have a joint gift tradition of three gifts:
something(s) to increase the comfy/cozy factor of our home,
Oftentimes during the year, we think, “Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if our home had XYZ?” Like, a tiny change. That becomes a passing thought and sometimes never acted on because important things (like HOA dues! and groceries! and toll road bills!) need to be paid. I love this category in our Christmas Eve Box because it gives us permission to intentionally indulge in something that makes our home that much more enjoyable and cozy.
something to cultivate intimacy,
It’s so much fun having a gift category specifically for this - it allows me the yearly reflection of asking, “What do we enjoy as a couple? When do we feel closest and most connected as a couple? What would I like to do more as a couple? What new thing would I like to try as a couple?”
and something to do together in the coming year.
some sort of adventure or experience - I love, love, love this.
Read more about our joint gift tradition and what we gave each other for each category the last five (!!) years here.
And Santa brings us three things:
a stocking each,
a few UT items*,
and a joint family gift of some sort.
*Brett and I met at the University of Texas. More accurately, my grandpa taught at UT, my parents met at UT, my dad graduated law school at UT, my sisters and I all went to UT, and Brett and I met at UT. So UT is our beloved alma mater, yes. But it’s also a family affair, and something I love with all my heart. We have Santa bring us a few UT things every year - clothes for football season, daily necessities - like dog leashes and reusable grocery bags - with a college twist, handy trinkets - like a good coffee cup - in a burnt orange theme, etc. We love that this gift theme gives us an excuse to indulge in UT pieces that we may not otherwise buy - and we love the trip down memory lane (and the joy!) these pieces infuse in our lives all year long.
Our Gifts:
KK’s gifts:
something she wants:
something she needs:
and something to do together:
Want more ideas? Here’s a list of my favorite toddler gifts for under $20.
Joe's gifts:
something he wants:
something he needs:
or a water bottle
and something to do together:
tickets to a Dinosaur Park we’ve wanted to visit
or an annual membership to the zoo
or a gift card to a local ice cream shop we’ve wanted to try
or a gift card to a breakfast restaurant we love with a great playscape
Want more ideas? Here’s a list of my favorite toddler gifts for under $20.
Brett and I’s joint gift tradition of three gifts:
something(s) to increase the comfy/cozy factor of our home:
some nice insulated drinkware for the Airstream for drinking coffee (or a cocktail) around a campfire together :)
and/or a baking steel griddle
and/or mats for Brett’s truck
something to cultivate intimacy:
leaving this one blank - you can use your imagination and because I don’t want my answers to limit the possibilities of this category, as every couple is different - but know I love love love this category. So does Brett. :)
this post gives details on past years’ gifts
and something to do together in the coming year:
something that Brett needs to Work from Home in the Airstream - not the most glamorous gift, but definitely something we want to do together in the coming year, and something we need to invest in anyway!
And Santa’s three gifts:
a stocking each:
more on this next
a few University of Texas items:
and a joint family gift of some sort:
a National Parks Pass for our Airstream trips
KK’s stocking:
this awesome magnifying glass contraption for looking at bugs and easily releasing them
toddler fork and spoon set for the Airstream
with our playing card holders
a treat or two from Target/Trader Joe’s
Want more ideas? Here’s a list of my favorite gifts for under $20.
Joe’s stocking:
grape/tomato cutter for the Airstream
fork and spoon set for the Airstream
this awesome set of scoops for water, sand, sensory bins to share with KK ;)
our favorite huge race car for restaurants, parks, Fit4Mom, etc
our favorite mini cars for indoor/outdoor/water play, etc
magnifying glass to share with KK ;)
Want more ideas? Here’s a list of my favorite toddler gifts for under $20.
Brett’s stocking:
goggles for swimming in campground pools with KK
rechargeable lighter for grilling/camping/candles/etc
and a treat or two from Target/Trader Joe’s
We love stockings to invest in (or upgrade to) some tiny household things we’d use all the time.
My stocking:
mini angled measuring cup I love
my favorite deep clean brush set for shoes, dishwasher filter, etc
more lip balm since everyone steals mine
a treat or two from Target/Trader Joe’s
We love stockings to invest in (or upgrade to) some tiny household things we’d use all the time.
Our gifts from family:
Here’s the five gifts we love to ask from grandparents + loved ones
Our gifts for loved ones:
Our two nephews:
a Christmas book
a game (with gift receipt)
and some sort of Christmas treat from Target/Trader Joe’s
Other loved ones:
Will share later. :)
Brett’s best friend’s baby:
My friends:
Will share later. :)
But the theme is “Have yourself a cozy little Christmas” as a nod to our Thursday nights together. :) See more about our Thursday nights here.
Brett’s friends:
Brett and his best friends do a Secret Santa every year.
Our neighbors:
Holiday plant (or treat) from Trader Joe’s + our Christmas card.
KK’s teachers:
Will share later. :)
The end!
Sending lots of love to you this season.
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