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Stocking Stuffers For Kids

Of course, your kids want tons of candy in their Christmas stockings. For my three kids, chocolate, candy canes and even those life saver storybooks that I loved when I was a kid are among their favorites. So, at our house, Santa does bring plenty of candy.

But what else is a good stocking stuffer? Santa tries hard to be inventive with the stocking stuffers for my kids. Mini bath items seem to go over really well. Lip gloss, little bottles of lotion and bubble bath and those bath fizzers that look like scoops of ice cream and the bath confetti that is shaped like candy canes are always a hit.

My little boys like bath things too, but matchbox cars, little packages of legos, playmobil figurines and the proverbial plastic army guys and small high bounce balls make great stocking stuffers.

Since my kids love to draw, they usually find little packages of shaped sticky notes, mini colored pencils, holiday stamp sets and those little mini tubs of play-doh get squeals of delight.

My daughter loves any kind of jewelry. When she was younger, she liked the little girl costume jewelry, but now that she is getting older, I find that jewelry that looks like grown up jewelry makes her the happiest.

All three of my children like to get holiday socks. They love keychains of every kind to put on their backpack zippers. Other great stocking stuffers include mini stuffed animals and little items that are related to their after-school activities. Dance, soccer and karate items that are small and portable make fun stocking stuffers and they wonder how Santa knows their tastes so well.

It is always fun to wrap as many of these items as possible. It makes for more work for Santa, but it makes the mystery and excitement of the Christmas stockings last just a little bit longer.

Last but not least, but really first if you think about it, I always put an orange or an apple on the toe of their stockings. This is something that I always got in my own Christmas stocking, and every year, I looked for that telltale round bulge in the bottom of my Christmas stocking. I ate that orange every year, along with the chocolate and barley lollipops. The burst of sweet citrus was a welcome addition to the treats I received.

by Christena Palmer

Bear Traditions

Every Christmas seasons we find ourselves over-shopping, over-eating and over-spending. Forgetting about the traditional meaning of Christmas, we often find our selves making traditions of out-doing, out-decorating and out-cooking others. However; this season is the time to make joy out of the barest of essentials. After all, it takes very little to make Christmas cheer. Instead of trying to out-do my neighbors Christmas tree, or make a better cake than my aunt, I will try to make a new tradition to look forward to every year out of the bare minimum of money, effort and time.

As a shop-a-holic and not knowing exactly what my new tradition would be, I got in my car to go see my best friend that I use every time I am in a troubled position such as this—Wal-Mart. Searching the aisles of the low-price leader, I find many items inexpensive, but none worth starting my own family tradition. A happy newlywed, I was frustrated that I could not find a traditional representative of the Christmas-like love shared between my husband and me. Even at the bare minimum we could have tradition of exchanging red velvet hearts or even have Christmas Eve snack night.

Slowly walking down each aisle, taking it all in I looked at tiny glass ornaments, collector eggs, glowing Christmas lights, until I saw it and passed it. Slowly taking four steps backwards as if not to disturb my creative flow, or to disrupt the already stationary items I picked up the item smiling. Holding the item up, knowing that this was the one, the tradition, utilizing only the barest minimum of money, effort and time…a stuffed bear.

This Christmas bear indeed covered the three of my barest of essentials. At five dollars it cost very little money. And only having to go and pick out two bears from the very convenient Wal-Mart made it almost effortless and timeless. I looked at the bears I was holding, adoring—one male, one female. Both dressed in their Christmas finest and immediately saw in the two I chose similarities to both me and my husband. I felt warm as I looked down the right foot of each bear that were both monogrammed 2006. Feeling a sticky, hot tears stream down my face I reminisce on how significant of year this had been, the year that I, we and now my two little bears got married.

As I placed my selection in my basket I marveled at the sight of the bears that we would purchase in years to come. How we’d both take pride in picking out one female and one male bear with the significant year embroidered on the bear’s feet. Thinking ahead already at the bear that would grace our mantle next year, while these two would be retired to a bench or yule-tide decorated wall. A smirk crossed my face as I envisioned my next male bear wearing a replica of my husband police uniform and my bear adorned in my favorite color pink. I laughed to myself thinking about our 20th anniversary of this tradition, each Christmas still pulling out each and every bear from the previous years, decorating my house with their commemorative yearly monogram. Wondering if in the future if we have children will they despise or idolize the room full of Christmas bears. Smiling joyfully at the thought, my smile vanished as I thought of keeping the tradition going after the death of either me or my spouse. Seeing a vision of myself as an elderly widow purchasing only one female bear that year gave me a chill, but yet it was still comforting. Comforting in knowing that we shared a beautiful bear tradition and that as an old, widowed lady I was still shopping it up at Wal-Mart.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Stop and Admire the Christmas Decorations

It is a busy Saturday and you find yourself at the mall. There are swarms of crowds, and you just know that you are not going to get everything that you need to done in the short time you have. You need to buy a present for your son's gift exchange at school. There is one more thing that you want to get for your husband. If you get done at the mall soon enough, you are going to stop by the grocery store and pick up the vegetables for the relish tray you are bringing to work this week, and you still need to RSVP for that party your neighbor is having.

Instead of enjoying the Christmas spirit while you are shopping, you are rushing around like everyone else, trying to get everything done before you go on to the next holiday task. It seems that life has gotten so busy, we have almost forgotten the reason we have this season in the first place, and the many joys that go along with it.

When I was a small girl, I loved to go Christmas shopping. However, it wasn't the presents that interested me the most. Sure, I loved buying Legos for my older brother and a Rainbow Brite doll for my younger sister. But the thing I really loved was the Christmas decorations. The Christmas scenes, replete with mini elves, fake sparkly snow and large, wrapped presents made me smile. I oohed and ahhed over the green and red of the holiday garlands, and saw my wide-eyed expression reflected back to me in the shiny glass ornament balls that were hung everywhere. The Christmas decoration I loved the very most were the gaily colored strings of lights that were strung all over the place. I loved to see the blinking lights festooned around the display windows, lights on the streets, and the lights in my neighborhood. For me, nothing said Christmas like the lights. They were, and still are, my favorite symbol of Christmas. Whenever I see them, I get a taste of that childlike wonder and joy I had when I was small and so dazzled by the magic of the Christmas lights.

So while you are out shopping this holiday season, don't forget to stop and enjoy the Christmas decorations, and revel in the joyful feelings they bring out in you. Stop and share a cup of hot cocoa at the food court and admire the decorations. They are there for your enjoyment, and sometimes we get so busy, we forget that one of the best parts of the holiday season is the bright and beautiful decorations that remind us that this is a special time of year.

by Christena Palmer

Michael the Christmas Angel

The countdown to Christmas has well begun, and unlike my usual merriment of the joyous season that I loved in the past; I have replaced my smiling “Merry Christmas” this year with the scroogiest “Bah Humbug.”

There has been no reason for my demise of Christmas pleasantries, no life-altering event that has kept me from ‘decking my halls, ‘ and of course, no sudden change of my strong Christian beliefs…just an all around dismissing or ‘skipping’ of Christmas. My lack of sending my joy to the world reminds me of the Movie “Christmas with the Kranks, ” in which the family opted to just simply ‘skip’ Christmas, and that seemed impossible; however, this year I decided to sure enough give it a try. So, Bah Humbug!

By the second week of December it became ice sickle clear to everyone; family, friends and foes, neighbors and strangers that I was indeed not in the spirit of Christmas. There were no stockings hung on my chimney with care and no wishes of Goodwill to all danced from my mouth. After my office Christmas party, (that I decided not to attend,) I returned the unopened, but known useless ‘under $10 gifts’ that had been given to me by associates. Asking them to give the gifts to shelters, I noticed the disappointment on their faces. But, needless to say, I didn’t care, I simply just did not have the Christmas spirit, and that is my prerogative. At the end of the day, employees with smiling faces, shouted the merriest Christmas Greetings, and I under my breath, thinking no one heard me grumbled “Bah Humbug!”

“You need a Christmas miracle,” stated my assistant as she pulled me aside. “No,” I said, “I need my own personal Christmas angel.” Dismissing me as a lost cause, my assistant left me standing in the cold, contemplating my Scrooge like demeanor. Suddenly, feeling a tad of guilt for my less than jolly actions, I decided to go shopping—my favorite pick-me-up.

As I approached the strip mall I often frequent, I noticed a large sale sign at the door to Michael’s Arts and Crafts store. Great, I thought, I love a sale! And what I love more than a good sale is coupons, and guess what? When searching through my coupon pouch I had indeed two coupons for Michael’s. Immediately my spirits were lifted as I tugged on my scarf and did a quick once over. Deciding to change my boots into my favorite shopping shoes, a fashionable pair of wedge heels with extra cushioning and padding I was ready for hours of shopping pleasure. After the quick shoe switch I marched to door with my coupons in tow and my first smile on my face since Thanksgiving.

Low and behold, my merriment quickly dropped once realizing that the so called sale was only for Christmas items. What a bummer! Did the world not get my memo...I AM SKIPPING CHRISTMAS!!!However, since I was already there I decided to just look, after all, I was not in the Christmas spirit. I laughed at the poor saps trying to do last minute holiday shopping to add even more red, green and white decorations to homes that probably already look like the North Pole. I smiled to myself realizing how much money I was saving by not decorating my home this holiday season. Picking up a beaded gold wreath, that was exquisite I might add, I decided to make myself feel even better by checking the prices of the over-priced holiday items.

“$29.99.” What could this be true? This beaded majesty that seemed like it would cost at least $89? Feeling a little warm and flushed I looked up toward the ceiling to catch a breath of fresh air when…a little yellow sign caught my eye. Slowly, taking it all in I read the words…’All items on this aisle 50% off’. 50% I thought, clenching the majestic, but yet more than affordable $14.99 wreath in my hand I began to fight off the uncontrollable urge to purchase its golden branches. Knowing very well I couldn’t buy the darn thing because I had made a conscious decision to skip Christmas; however, I could not put it down. Walking to the next aisle laden with red and green plaid, glistening with silver and gold I felt a warm inner glow. Then catching a glimpse of the blue 60% off banner on the aisle, it felt like home.

With each aisle I searched full of Christmas décor, the more and more I became thankful and merry. Grabbing every red, green and silver item I remotely liked, I found my self singing Christmas carols and releasing my spirit’s joy. Over-filling my backset with items of holiday splendor, I found myself basking in the beauty of past Christmas’ that I enjoyed. Purchasing Christmas themed plates and green goblets I began planning my own holiday brunch.

Bustling out of the store in a rush to go decorate my home, I packed my ornaments and items with care in my trunk quickly, realizing that Christmas day is closely approaching. Just before I drove out of the parkway, I looked up at the sign of the store that had indeed saved Christmas for me. By taking in its sales I was swung into the Christmas spirit. Leaving the parking lot I smiled at the familiar yellow sign and mouthed, “Thanks Michael, you are truly my Christmas angel.”

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Gifts No One Wants To Get

We all know those gifts, the ones that no one wants to get. Along with the dreaded fruitcake, there are a variety of other gifts that no one really wants, but that everyone seems to get at least one of during the Christmas season. This happens when someone needs a generic gift and doesn't really know what to get.

Gloves, scarves and weird winter hats are also something that everyone seems to receive at Christmas whether they want them or not. Honestly, how many pairs of gloves does any woman need? Unless they are really plush ones that cost a fortune and look divine, gloves are probably not a great generic gift. So, bypass that display selling brightly colored gloves and try to use your imagination a bit.

Never buy travel alarm clocks, travel irons, or any other sort of cutesy travel item. They are not only boring, they don't get used. Most people shove them in a closet and forget they even have them when they go on a trip. They may seem perfect for the business traveler, but unless they specifically ask for one, don't assume they need it. They probably have three of them stuffed in the linen closet taking up space already.

Gag gifts, white elephant gifts, t-shirts that say crude things and other similar items are also not a good idea. You may think it is funny, but after the laughter over the item is over, what is the person going to actually do with these things? They may end up wearing the t-shirt to clean the garage, and re-gift the white elephant gift at the next party they go to, but things that are supposed to be funny usually aren't all that useful.

The thing about most of these types of gifts is that they get put away and forgotten, re-gifted to someone else or simply tossed out (i.e. fruitcake). For the person that you don't really know, there is someone that does know them, so take the time to ask about their interests. That way, they can get something they will really like and actually use and you can feel good about giving it.

Remember, there are probably only six actual people on the planet that like fruitcake. So no matter what, when you are up against the wall for a generic gift for someone, avoid the fruitcake and the other things I have mentioned like the plague. There are better gifts out there. Really! Consider things like gourmet hot chocolate, gift cards to their favorite store, festive holiday floral arrangements, etc. Be bold, be creative, but never, ever resort to fruitcake.

Gifts of the Heart

We hear all the time that it is not the gift that counts; it is the thought behind it. It is what is in the heart that matters, not what is inside the gift bag. But sometimes, it is also the way that a gift is delivered that also matters.

Let me tell you a story. My mother and her best friend had a tradition for many years. Each year, on Christmas Eve, they would go out to breakfast, just the two of them and exchange gifts. One year, my mother's friend, Kaye, gave my mother a gift in the same gift bag my mother had given her from the year before. The next year at Christmas, my mother returned the gift bag with Kaye's gift inside of it. And so it went on, year after year. Each year, they exchanged this same holiday gift bag which became as much of a tradition as the various gifts inside it. They would laugh often about this little joke that they shared between the two of them, and it was another brick in the strong wall of their friendship. It was unique, and special, and they did it with no one else but each other.

There was nothing extraordinary about this bag. It was a simple gift bag with a red and green holiday motif. It became a bit worn after several years, but the tradition did not change.

Kaye passed away suddenly at the age of 44. My mother had the gift bag, as Kaye had given it to her the past Christmas. Even now, several years later, the gifts that came in the bag are not as important to my mother as her memory of this little joke they shared. She still has the gift bag, folded now in a box with other memories.

I was not surprised when I received a gift bag from my mother that I had given her the year before. We have started to follow the same tradition she shared with Kaye, and I look forward to many years of gifts in this same pink bag trimmed with marabou feathers.

So while it is the thought that counts when it comes to gifts from the heart, the thought that goes into the packaging can also be a gift of the heart, as well.

by Christena Palmer