Search Results for: blog the elf shelf including children in holiday fun

Fun Stocking Stuffers

For years now my extended family has been doing inexpensive gifts for one another. We call these “stocking presents” and for a lot of years the presents did get stuffed in a stocking at my mother’s house. Now we are more scattered, so the presents get mailed. Stocking presents are a nice way to still buy for a large family. It’s fun to see what people come up and it is fun to still be wrapping up tiny presents for my siblings, and for their spouses and children. The challenge though is to find nice gifts for under five dollars. … Continue reading →

A Fun Shopping Tradition

Yesterday my husband and I took our annual “day off”. We are both so busy we need this day to get our Christmas plans straight. It’s a great tradition. I know a lot of women do all the shopping by themselves. I like to include my husband. Particularly now that the boys are older they have a lot of technical gadgets, games and software on their lists. He knows which are worthwhile and he knows the best places to get those kinds of things. And I really feel like he should be the one to pick out gifts for his … Continue reading →

Week in Review – Family Fun

Visit the Fun section for ideas for keeping the kids busy, for involving them in the holidays, and for having fun as a family. Advent Calendar Fun reviews the many calendars you can buy along with a lot of ideas for making your own. What to put in handmade calendars? Read Fun Treats and Surprises for Advent Calendars. It’s Fun Being an Elf! Don’t miss this post on ways to play elf in your own neighborhood! And speaking of elves, read The Elf Shelf post for a way to include children in the holiday preparations. A Christmas Party for Dolls … Continue reading →

A Christmas Party for Dolls and Stuffed Animals

Ever since I reviewed The Doll’s Christmas by Tasha Tudor over in the Media Review section of Familes.com I’ve been thinking about the idea. The Doll’s Christmas is the story of some little girls hosting a pretend Christmas for their dolls. The holiday is complete with a special tea, gifts, a tree, and a Christmas play. Tasha Tudor based the book on her own family. She started the tradition of the doll’s Christmas when her own children were young and she needed a fun way to occupy them. Several years ago my twin boys wanted presents for their stuffed animals. … Continue reading →

The Elf Shelf – Including Children in Holiday Fun

Today my boys got to visit the Elf Shelf at their elementary school. I’ve heard of other schools doing this, but it was a first for us. The PTA had three tables set up in an empty classroom. The tables were covered with inexpensive gifts. The children got to go and visit the “shop” during school, and could make their purchases after school. What amazed me was how excited my boys were about the “Elf Shelf”. We go to stores all the time. Just last weekend we went to an incredible toy store to look around. So I was surprised. … Continue reading →