Each year we write everyone’s name on a small piece of paper, stick it in a bowl, and have everyone individually choose a name. You know how it goes, they are each in charge of gifting something to that sibling for Christmas. I love this tradition as it gives my kids the opportunity to think about someone else’s wants for Christmas and also to give a gift to someone for whom they may not otherwise get a gift–when you have a lot of siblings it’s hard to get something for everyone!
Last year I learned a valuable lesson about this tradition. My oldest had learned how to use a sewing machine in one of his electives at school. He brought home a little pillow that he had to make for an assignment, and all of my kids loved it. So my oldest got the idea to make a pillow for all of my kids and place their initial on it.
He had a $100 gift card that he had made plans for. He decided to change those plans and purchase the supplies for these sweet pillows. I took him to the store and watched as he thoughtfully looked at fabric and asked my input on what each of his siblings would enjoy most. He only ended up spending about $35 on everything. After purchasing the supplies, he diligently went into our basement bedroom every night after my other kids had gone to sleep. There he worked to cut, sew, and stuff the pillows over the course of 2 weeks. Upon completion of a pillow he’d come upstairs and show me with a light in his eyes and a smile on his face that can only be lit through service. Once everything was done, he carefully chose a box to place them all in and wrapped it and stuck it under the tree with great excitement!
When Christmas morning came, he was excited for his own gifts, but was anxiously excited for his siblings to open the gift that he had poured his money, time, and love into.
When my kids opened the box they LOVED their pillows! They admired the talent and choices he had made for each of them and hugged him in appreciation. I was sure my heart would explode as I watched that little scene unfold.
Last Christmas was a different Christmas for him because of the love and work that he put into that gift. As a general rule, this particular kid is a great gifter, but this experience solidified his desire to recreate that feeling of giving and filling another’s bucket!
As a result of his efforts, my other kids have also reconsidered the gifts that they give each other. Their minds have been introduced to the magic of giving a gift that takes a little more thought and time. My daughter made a special gift for my younger son’s birthday this year and I saw the same sweetness occur with her as with my oldest son.
Don’t get me wrong, there is magic in knowing just what a person wants from the store and getting it knowing they will be so pleased! However, those pillows have been treasured by each of my kids, and the change and understanding that it brought about in my oldest is something that cannot be bought at the store! May we all give a little bit more of ourselves this Christmas!! Merry Merry!!
Kayleen
