[SchmennaLeigh]

Okay, so it's not RIGHT around the corner but fall is almost here and soon after that Halloween and then Thanksgiving and then... BAM!

For those of you who have contact (visit/letters/what-have-you) with your placed children, what can YOU do for your child this Christmas that would make it extra special? Can you write a special letter? Can you make a special ornament? Can you make a trip this year? Can you make a video? A scrapbook?

This year, with Munchkin beginning to understand that "Jenna" exists and is someone important in her life in some form or fashion, I find myself wanting to give more than just a toy, though, she does love her toys. I find myself wanting to do something special this year. But what? But what.

I know that I want to give something from the heart this year... and so, I'm starting a thread for ideas for all of us for the upcoming season. I know holidays are hard for a lot of us for so many different reasons ... so I thought that possibly focusing on doing something GOOD for our children could lift some spirits a bit.

Yes, I'm overplanning. It's my style.

[lahdh4]

As soon as J's birthday was done I started planning on her Christmas presents and her bday is in April. So no, I don't think that you are over planning at all. As soon as I finish a friends baby blanket I have a counted cross stitch pattern that I am going to do up and have framed. It is simple just 3 hearts with diamonds around it but in the hearts I am going to put my name, her name and amom's name.

[bromanchik]

I always do an ornament. (He now has 22) It is usually something significant to our lives that year. This year I am going to get him something birthday related. It was his 21rst birthday and the second birthday I got to spend with him (the first being when he was born)

[HBV]

Could you make her a "Jenna Movie"? One of the things we treasure is a DVD that H's maternal birthgrandfather made for us of their family. He made a slide show of their family photos with music (Elton John's "Blessed") then incorporated some photos of us in the hospital w/ H. You could do a DVD w/ music and photos of you, Nick and Josh--- make one every year so she has a series.

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by bromanchik

I always do an ornament. (He now has 22) It is usually something significant to our lives that year. This year I am going to get him something birthday related. It was his 21rst birthday and the second birthday I got to spend with him (the first being when he was born)

Amom here but I LOVE this idea!!! What an amazing tradition for your son! And it's sometime he can take with him when he gets his own home, that has history and you too! Wow...

[zxczxcasdasd]

I thought of the baby blanket you've mentioned. Any possibility of working a cutting of that into a small snuggle quilt for her? Then you'll both have the same thing to snuggle with.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Okay, I dig the ornament idea. (Mom got me an ornament every year. I have for Nicholas. So why not munchkin?!) And a video. I mean, hi, I was trained in that.

All interesting. *ponders*

[coco46]

This year, Bean's first Christmas, I plan to ask K and her mom to have professional pictures taken with Bean and I. DH and I will pay for the prints, of course, and have a set framed for them.