Holidays in Hand Day 1

Okay today is the first day of the Holidays in Hand assignments. I am so excited to do this. Everyday there is a write prompt, a photo prompt, and a place to write something to make and do. I am glad those line are blank since right now I am just working on decorating the house. There is also a remember prompt, which I have decided to record, not just remember.

Write your thoughts about your family's holiday values.

Okay I have been thinking about this all day today. I think what our current values are and what I would like them to be in the future are a little different. Right now my kids are mainly focused on Santa Claus and what they will be getting for Christmas. Which is totally fine by me. I want them to be carefree children as long as possible. I try to not let them be too greedy, by limiting the number of gifts they can ask for. I also try to emphasize them giving gifts and finding joy in picking out gifts for others, but I think that is lost. Savannah is starting to grasp this. She had the opportunity to shop by herself and had a great time picking out the perfect thing for her friends and family.
Ideally, I would love for our values to eventually evolve into a service based Christmas. I want my children to know the joy that comes from serving others and what a great gift that is. As they get older and find out about Santa Claus, I know this will be easier to do. For now I am going to sit back and enjoy the magic of Christmas while my children still believe.

Photo assignment: Take a "Welcome to December!" photo.

This is a goofy picture of the kids, but oh well. Welcome December!!




Remember: What is your earliest holiday memory?

I can remember going to Stauffer (my dad's side) Christmas parties at the Smithfield Lions Lodge. All the extended family was there. Santa came every year, and one year I got up the guts to feel his beard, and it was real! My mom tried to tell me that he was a helper, but I think this is when I started to doubt. I must have be 7 or 8.