PAYING IT FORWARD: CHRISTMAS

Raising kids isn't an easy task to begin with!  Enter 2020 and about a million other things were added to our plate.  There just hasn't been a "right way" to parent this year and just about every decision you make, there is something that doesn't feel right about it.  Christmas has been a breath of fresh air for me, though!  Our house feels cozy, our traditions have been fairly easy to carry on, and there is just excitement in the air!  With that being said, my kids are SUPPERRRR excited for presents so we have really been focusing on ways "give" and not always receive.

A couple of days ago, our clever little elf hid in our cookie jar and left the kids a note to pay it forward.  After a conversation about what that meant and a little encouragement from me, we decided to head to the store and buy some snacks for the delivery people.  All of our mail goes to the shop so there are lots of delivery people in and out throughout the day.  We have stopped daily to see what has been taken and refill if needed.  I wish they were able to actually see the drivers take things once or twice just to help make some connections so I will have to see what I can do.  I don't know about your Christmas shopping, but I kept the delivery drivers plenty busy this year.

We headed to Walmart and snagged prepackaged snacks, gatorade, and waters that we could. put in a basket.  I originally saw this idea HERE and was able to print the sign that we used and just put it in a frame that I already had!  I tried really hard to let my 5 and 3 year olds pick out what they wanted.  I did tidy up how they dumped everything into the basket and ended up using two matching baskets, but other than that they picked the snacks completely on their own and I feel like they did a pretty good job.

We have had lots of conversations over the last month about how our lives look very different than some other families and kids do: we have lots of presents under our tree, full toy boxes, and they don't have any NEEDS that aren't met.  While I know it is impossible for them to really understand how fortunate they are we're trying.  We also are attempting to show and explain how to be thankful, appreciative, etc..  If you have any helpful traditions or tips in those areas, please let me know!!