three gifts

Hubby and I made a big decision this year.

 In an effort to keep Christmas managable and with the focus where it should be, we're going to give our girls three gifts.

Oh, we'd love to spoil them something awful with hundreds of presents, but we know that Santa, grandparents and aunts and uncles will do that.

So, our goal is to teach miss Peach (and, eventually, Tulip as well) about the reason we celebrate and give gifts.  The plan is to have a nice, long chat on the night before Christmas about all the things that happened on that most magical of nights.

Then, just like the wise men, we'll give three gifts.

Because we're limiting ourselves to three...I got creative and packed a lot into these three things.

After all, the wise men gave Jesus three very precious gifts.

I wanted to do the same.

Peach is getting this doll-sized wardrobe that I found last year at a little shop down town.

I made it my mission this summer to scour the city garage sales for baby doll clothes to fill it.

It was a fun challenge for me and I think it turned out just perfect.

It's one of those things that I hope will stand the test of time and still be around for my grandkids to play with.

Peach's other two gifts are a movie and set of stamps.

Tulip is getting this sweet wooden car ramp that I also scored at a garage sale.

Can't wait to see her face when those cars go sliding down!

I'm so happy that they don't yet care where I shop.

She's also getting a book and stuffed animal.

Come Christmas morning, Santa will have stopped with a few more items to fill their stockings and the angel that Peach has been asking him for.  (Still haven't found exactly what I'm looking for...it is the last and most elusive gift on my list.  I'm running out of time - wish me luck!)

We're hoping that by instituting this Christmas tradition, we'll keep the focus where it belongs.

On our beloved Jesus, who received the first Christmas gifts and became the most treasured Christmas gift of all.