How big is your Christmas in regards to your kids?

[Soccermom]

You are right about the joy of service being much better than the joy of receiving stuff.

When we lived in Oregon, there was a church that fed homeless families trying to get back on their feet. They needed volunteers to bring in the meals for about 40 people, feed them, and clean up. This church let the families sleep there at night.

Our family did meals for that and it was an amazing experience. We ate with the people and our kids played with their kids. Something so small, yet doable for many.

The idea of picking one family is probably better than just donating a large sum to toys for tots or any other program at Christmas time. At least 100 percent of the money would be used.

[YOhio]

My fondest memories of Christmas, quite honestly, were when we were doing service.

Several years ago, my in-laws did a sub-for-santa thing. Not sure how it was organized, but basically they were assigned one family. On Christmas Eve, we did exactly as you described. We all chipped in, picked up a christmas tree, some clothes, some toys, and lots of food and headed over. The family lived in AF, in some apartment not far from the freeway.

We showed up at their house, the husband answered the door. He looked like a guy that on any other day would receive lots of ridicule for being a "yewt."...goatee, house smelled like cigarettes, wife beater t-shirt. The wife and their small baby were in the kitchen.

They didnt know who the heck we were and I would imagine it was quite overwhelming to open the door and see us all standing there. We busted in, help put up the tree, placed the gifts there, gave the mom the food, sang a song or two, shook their hands, and took off. The mom was crying and the dad was all teared up as he thanked us.

I distinctly remember crying on the drive back to the in-laws. I was overcome by this great feeling of having done something nice for someone else and genuinely feeling love for these people that we didnt even know. It reminded me of when I was on my mission. When we got back home, i saw the tree that was saturated with wrapped boxes and I immediately felt like an a-hole. It literally brought me no joy to see all those presents. After a few hours, I looked at the presents again and realized that those were likely bought and given in the Spirit of love, as well, which is a wonderful thing. It made me happy. It was really a great Christmas. one of the best I've had as an adult.

The joy you receive from service blows away the joy you receive from getting "stuff." It doesn't even compare.

another time, we went up to Shonto Indian Reservation in Arizona and spent about 3 or so days up there distributing gifts and such to the locals. That was an amazing experience. Perhaps a story for another day.

I swear I read this in Mormon Stories in the back of the Ensign.

[MarkGrace]

Last night, my husband and I decided that next year we can only spend on our children as much money as we will give to a certain charity in December.

Hacking the Korver's I see.

[Soccermom]

Hacking the Korver's I see.

Who are the Korvers?

[MarkGrace]

Um...family of the man in the dreamiest knee-high socks you have ever seen. You know, shoots 3pters except against the Lakers and can't defend.

[Soccermom]

Um...family of the man in the dreamiest knee-high socks you have ever seen. You know, shoots 3pters except against the Lakers and can't defend.

Doh! That is right. How could I forget? He is part of the team that comprises my husband's mistress.

[TripletDaddy]

I swear I read this in Mormon Stories in the back of the Ensign.

You may have. I submitted it, along with a poem about Parley P Pratt.

[TripletDaddy]

Hacking the Korver's I see.

Korver has always been prudent. He sets a limit on how much he will spend per person in his family. He spends the equiivalent of his PPG average in the playoffs.

This Christmas is going to be a crappy year in the Korver household.

[MarkGrace]

Then it's going to be a crappy year for charities as well. Darn.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

I submitted it, along with a poem about Parley P Pratt.

I am sad that your poem didn't make the cut. Please post it here, so that all may enjoy.

[Jeff Lebowski]

OK, I copied and split the poetry portion of this thread to here:

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showthread.php?t=906

[Gidget]

Our daughter is getting an Step 2 Artmaster desk, clothes, puzzles from Grammy
Play-doh sets, puzzles and "learning to write" type toys from Grandpa
Musical instrument set,puzzles from Nana and Papa, and some movies probably
A Waterbaby doll (complete with medium skin and brown eyes for our little hawaiian offspring) and a doll umbrella stroller for the doll from Surfah and I.
Most of her gifts are from the grandparents. I think since my parents are divorced they are trying to out-do each other. Sounds like compared to the rest of you our daughter is going to be the biggest spoiled brat. Lucky us.

Truth is I feel like there isn't much I can do to entertain my daughter anymore. She is obsessed with TV (nick Jr and Noggin). Without trying to sound exactly how I am gonna sound( she does have many flaws) . . . . . . our daughter figures everything out fast and gets bored with it (with toys and such). At 2 years old she knows the entire alphabet, how to count, all her colors and shapes, all animals and their noises, and everything that her toys have to offer. She is really into puzzles right now, but I am afraid after a week with those the honeymoon will be over. We'll see. I just can't wait until she is in school and I don't have to try and mentally stimulate her all day anymore. I guess I am a crappy parent, sometimes I just wish she could already drive so she could go hang with friends.

P.S. Truth is I can't even go on a date with Surfah to a movie without missing our little girl. She really is an obedient little sweetie (with some of my sassy attitude to boot).

[YOhio]

She is really into puzzles right now, but I am afraid after a week with those the honeymoon will be over.

The dollar store always has a good selection of puzzles; Mickey Mouse, Strawberry Shortcake, Little Pony and Winnie the Poo. We get our little girl a new one every couple weeks as a reward.

[TripletDaddy]

The dollar store always has a good selection of puzzles; Mickey Mouse, Strawberry Shortcake, Little Pony and Winnie the Poo. We get our little girl a new one every couple weeks as a reward.

Amen on the dollar store. We get stuff there...reading books, coloring books, pencils, crayons, weird notebooks/notepads for drawing, stickers, all of which can be used during sacrament to keep their interest in the pew.

[Surfah]

Amen on the dollar store. We get stuff there...reading books, coloring books, pencils, crayons, weird notebooks/notepads for drawing, stickers, all of which can be used during sacrament to keep their interest in the pew.

Amen. I should buy Crayola stock. Twistable crayons are the greatest.