The best Christmas gift is you

Key ingredient: creativity

The best Christmas gift is you

Key ingredient: creativity

FROM THE OF: TERRY BONET
Wife and mother of four girls

Christmas had become all about what the children got. They had long lists of expensive wants. So one year I announced that we were no longer buying presents. Everything under the tree would be handmade. I expected rebellion! Instead, it brought out amazing creativity that we have all come to love.

Recipe: A Crafty Christmas

WHAT YOU NEED

Time:  Low   Medium   High

Budget:   $   $$   $$$

  1. Creativity
  2. Thinking about what is special to your family members
  3. Planning ahead (at least a week before Christmas, depending on what you decide to make)
My crafty Christmas image for recipe card.

DIRECTIONS

  1. Think about it: Brainstorm with each family member on ideas of what to make. Focus on helping your kids think proactively about what the person would like, not just what they want to make.
  2. Create it: Kids may need help in the creation process, depending on their age.
  3. Give it: Wrap it up for Christmas and celebrate their creativity!

 

SEE MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS

Recipe: A Crafty Christmas

WHAT YOU NEED

Time:  Low   Medium   High

Budget:   $   $$   $$$

  1. Creativity
  2. Thinking about what is special to your family members
  3. Planning ahead (at least a week before Christmas, depending on what you decide to make)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Think about it: Brainstorm with each family member on ideas of what to make; focus on helping kids think proactively about what the person would like, not just what they want to make
  2. Create it: Kids may need help in the creation process, depending on their age
  3. Give it: Wrap it up for Christmas and celebrate their creativity!

 

SEE MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS

Get the 12 recipes download PDF

Make unforgettable memories with your family this Christmas with these 12 ideas!

DIY, Family Activities, Prayer, and more.

Get the 12 recipes download PDF

Make unforgettable memories with your family this Christmas with these 12 ideas!

DIY, Family Activities, Prayer, and more.

My 'Recipe' Story

I have four girls, and as they grew, the costs of items on their Christmas lists grew with the latest electronics and clothes. I decided I’d had enough. Christmas is supposed to be about family and sharing joy, not stressing about the latest popular gadget or how far we could stretch our budget to cover the costs.

When I announced one year that we were no longer buying presents and that everything under the tree would be handmade, I thought they would be upset. I was surprised that they took the challenge, and their creativity blossomed!

That first year I made them all quilts. My husband wrote a children’s book that was all about the girls. They made us photo books and artwork. We all cried that Christmas morning as we snuggled under the quilts and he read it to us.

We all came to appreciate the talents that God has given each of us. We have many traditions at Christmas that haven’t changed, like cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. We still give them something nice like jewelry for their stockings and a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve, but Christmas Day is all about what we’ve made for each other and cherishing the time we took to come up with something that is special.

All but one of my daughters are grown and have left home. The time we have together is very precious. We learned through this change at Christmas that it’s about the joy of being together and sharing our love and talents with one another. I believe that this is a tradition that they will carry with them and share with their own families.

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