Christmas Joy Completion

Our last half of December was filled with traditions and treats and parties and poinsettias. How are your Days of Joy going? Have you done anything that left footprints on your heart and an eternal impression in your child’s memory?

This December, I hope you not only spread joy and kindness in your community, but that you took some deep breaths and mental photographs as you witnessed the innocence and beauty in your children unfold through this magical holiday season. The days may be long, but the years (especially the “believing” years) are far too short. Stress is bound to creep in now and again (like when you’re putting together a dreaded gingerbread house), but remember the reason for the season. Giving. Spreading Joy. Making Magic. And Believing. Always, Believing.

A quick recap of our last half of December:

Day 13: Attend neighborhood “Drink the Tree” party

Two years ago, I had the same question: What in the world is a “Drink the Tree” party? Well, folks, no play on words here. It’s exactly as it sounds. Our neighbors spend hours (and many dollars) purchasing and hanging small bottles of liquor to a full-size Christmas tree. The job of the guests? Make them all go away before the party is over. The hosts were wonderful, the drinks were plenty, and the morning after? Ummmmm…moving on…

Day 14: Winterland Storytime at kiddywampus 

As many of you might know, kiddywampus lands in my list of favorite kid-friendly ventures (read my post about them here), so I couldn’t resist their Winter Wonderland storytime and art project event, co-hosted with Macaroni Kid. The price of admission was a waterproof pair of gloves for the Hats & Mittens organization, so we bought two nice pair at Target and went to our favorite toy store for some cute winter stories and an hour of art. My kids adore arts and crafts, so creating Christmas cards was right in their wheelhouse. We were the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave…and we got some Christmas shopping done as well.

Day 15: Go on traditional Christmas lights tour

This is one of my favorite holiday traditions with the kiddos! My husband is a junk-foodaholic, so we always pile into the car (dog and all) with blankets and pillows and jammies, and make a pitstop at a gas station to allow the kids the snack of their choosing. This year, it was Skittles and BBQ potato chips. It’s one night I just throw my hands up and let Nate be a kid too! This year, we toured the musical light shows in the Plymouth/Wayzata area and found a couple doozies, but a couple definitely worth mentioning: Dirknerkle’s Lights and PD Shimmers (both in Plymouth). Thanks to Family Fun Twin Cities for their wonderful list of musical light shows.

Day 16:Make Christmas M&M pretzels

Another holiday tradition enjoyed by the sweet-tooths in my family. Circle pretzels, a Hershey Hug, a 200° oven, 4 minutes and an M&M. That’s all it takes to create this ridiculously-addictive and crazy-unhealthy Christmas snack. But on the plus side, it’s so easy, your kids will love it and they make for wonderful treat gifts for the teachers, neighbors and mailpeople in your life.

Day 17: Company Ugly Sweater party and Home Alone movie night

After four years of my company hosting its Ugly Christmas Sweater party, I was finally victorious! It’s truly amazing what one can create with a plain $3 red sweater, a plush Santa doorhanger, suspenders with built-in shot glasses and velvet boxers adorned with bells. U-G-L-Y. You ain’t got no alibi. It was ugly, yes, but the nutcracker trophy will proudly sit on my desk for the next 365 days! That night at home, my niece and kids settled in for their first-ever viewing of my all-time favorite Christmas movie: Home Alone. Listening to their giggles as the robbers react to nails and irons and blow torches to the head was pure magic. OK, when I say it like that, it really sounds bad, but in our defense, we coughed loudly every time there was a swear word.

Day 18: Make homemade ornament gifts 

Oh, Pinterest. I have failed you once again. Ninja Turtle ornaments with mod podge and tissue paper…seems so simple. But, I did manage to create one covered in pages from a Stephen King novel for my bookworm sister-in-law. Take that, Pinterest! If you want to try to tackle the TMNT ornaments, here are some instructions. And good luck. You’re gonna need it.

Day 19: The Fever 

As predicted, we encountered an Operation Joy roadblock….a sick kid. The 12-hour fever came and went, but we embraced the situation by watching Frosty the Snowman on repeat. And repeat. And repeat again.

Day 20: Donate coats to Operation Warm at Minneapolis Fire Department

Our kids are blessed with warm shelter and clothing but there are many children who are not so fortunate. I heard about Operation Warm through conversation with a firefighter and wanted to give to his cause. Rather than donating money (which is possible online), we purchased some kids’ coats and delivered them to the Minneapolis Fire Station late one night. I’ve found it’s always easier to explain the idea of giving to children when it involves something tangible.

Day 21: Bake holiday cookies with family

This crazy family tradition never gets old. I hope each of you has something you do every year that is as silly and smile-filled as our Annual Cookie-Baking Day. Frosting and dousing sugar cookies in every kind of candy imaginable makes them nearly inedible, but the memories we are making for our kids can’t be measured in calories. Plus, we start drinking wine at 10am and giggle as Great Grandma designs her annual inappropriate gingerbread man cookie. She’s innovative – I’ll give her that!

Day 22: Make gingerbread house and deliver cards to the senior living home

You guys, WHY do I even attempt gingerbread houses anymore? Every year the roof falls off, the kids get upset, Nate and I argue…it’s like self-inflicted punishment on repeat. But this year, after we propped up the rooftop with cans of cream of chicken soup, I threw my hands in the air and just said, “GO!” And they did. And it was beautiful. And then they licked it and the next day, I threw it in the garbage.

That same night, the kids and I delivered poinsettias and hand-written Christmas cards to the senior living community down the street. The recipients were gracious and appreciative and blown away by the cuteness of my little people. We handed out cards that read “Have fun” and “We love snow” and “Santa loves you” and they gave away a couple hesitant hugs. I know this task didn’t make my children overly comfortable, but it filled so many others with joy.

Day 23: Santa comes to our house!

Because we celebrate with both extended families in Wisconsin, Santa makes an early stop at our house before we leave town. Isn’t he the greatest? Both kids laid in the bottom bunk with me at 6:30am (after a rough night of musical beds) asking the questions on everyone’s mind…Did he come? Were we nice? Did he eat the cookies? Did the reindeer enjoy the carrots? Yes! YES to all of the above. After seeing the video below, my friend said it best: “All the stress, all the late nights – so worth it for a reaction like that.”

Disclaimer: I received product from KIND Snack Company in exchange for my time sharing this giveaway as a thank you for Kindness in Chalk. All thoughts are my own.