[MamaChinch]

Delaney's first Chirstmas home was simply shameful...so much so that she got tired of opening gifts! I tried to be better last year, and defintely cut way back this year. Since her birthday is in Feb, last year and this year I took a couple things from Christmas for b-day gifts. This year I am done with her and have picked things for gifts up on clearance, and her big Santa gift is a used train table I got at Once Upon a Child. Her b-day preset last year was a bike , and it was used also.
Last year I tried to make a big deal out of doing things like cooking, listening to music, I play the piano and we sing, we drive around at night and get hot chocolate from Starbucks and look at lights. We made reindeer food.....(okay you can make the hot chocolate, too!)
Delaney's class has adopted a familiy locally that needs help and they have asked for the kids to bring in coins for a big jar they have. So we have been making a big deal about finding coins around the house and taking them to school. Last night she got some from her piggy bank and Mommoy took change from her purse. Also, this weekend we cleared out toys to give to the homeless shelter, to make way for her Christmas gifts. We will make a trip there for her to give them away.
We get new Chirstmas pj's and she loves that. I really think if find fun things to do and make them a tradition, she will remember those things long after presents go away. You are doing the right thing! Bella sure has a wonderful Mama!!