With each passing year, the holidays become more exciting for me, as a mom! The girls are more interested, able to comprehend more, and are more excitable! We just drove around our charming little town last night to look at Christmas lights on everyones’ homes. They were both so incredibly eager and excited to spot all the Nativity scenes, Santa “Cwaws” (Naomi’s pronunciation), Olafs, Mickeys and Minnies, and oh how they love colored & flashing lights. Good thing we have neighbors who put up these decorations so the girls can get their fix looking at others’ homes, haha!

This year, we’re trying to teach the girls more about thoughtful, intentional gifting. I don’t want them to go through life thinking Christmas is only about the gifts they will receive, and I certainly don’t want to grow up thinking gimme, gimme. Change starts at home, so it’s really up to us! I want the girls to be involved with choosing gifts, wrapping, and giving.

While we were recently in New Jersey for Thanksgiving, we gave my sister (who just had her first wittle baby boy) a few of our favorite pieces from Boodywear, who makes super soft, breathable basics out of organic bamboo fiber. I wish I had Boody Baby pieces when my girls were babes…almost enough to make me want to have another baby 😉 These are my current favorites from Boody Baby: bib, long sleeved onesie, baby socks, muslin wrap, and beanie/bootie set. They’re all so sweet and simple and oh-so-incredibly soft!

It just warms my heart to see Zoe’s eagerness (Naomi’s not quite there…she just wants to unwrap all day long) to wrap, wait, and then surprise family with a gift. She actually almost bursts with excitement when she passes the gift off to its new owner. It’s precious! I had so much fun wrapping these gifts with my girls, to give my sister and her new baby. I’m thankful for wonderful companies like Boodywear with whom I can partner, and give quality, thoughtful products!

We are participating in a program this year where we buy gifts for children whose mom or dad (or both) are in prison. These children are silent sufferers, and the least we can do is let them know they aren’t forgotten! This program gives the gift on behalf of the parent(s) in prison; it’s just incredible! I love teaching the girls to think (and act) beyond their little circle of life! I’m excited for all these opportunities to teach about giving; how do you approach the topic of [gift-]giving with your littles?