Oh the joys of motherhood. Two days before Christmas, and my oldest has the stomache bug, my youngest has pnemonia and hub is currently undergoing knee surgery. It's the hap-happiest season of all.....
People always make fun of me for having my shopping and wrapping done the weekend after Thanksgiving, but as the mother of three asthmatics, it's a crapshoot as to the health and well being of our holidays. Should the need arise for last minute gifts and I am housebound, I turn to the magic of the internet, and handiness of American Express.
~Heifer International online donations and e-cards: A lovely contribution to an organization that provides families with hope and an end to hunger.
With gifts of livestock and training, we help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. We refer to the animals as "living loans" because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. It's called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of our mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace.
Imagine the look on your mother in laws face when you tell her that you purchased her a cow!
~MYO Cd's (make your own CD's): Spread the holiday cheer by burning your favorite Christmas tunes to a CD. You can easily download them from iTunes and/or Amazon and upload to a CD. Create a cute CD sleeve from your childs artwork, and voila! Santa's little rockstar!
~Memberships: For the families in your life think museums, zoos, sports parks, etc. Our Christmas Eve Day tradition (until this year apparently) has always been to hit the Boston Children's Museum. We arrive super early, and the children have the place to themselves. I don't think my kids know they can go any other day of the year. Most memberships like this can be purchased, and printed up online.
~Tickets! Who doesn't love attending an event or show? Last year Santa brought my girls tickets to Finding Nemo on Ice which they adored. Santa did not have the tickets ready Christmas eve, so he wrote a note letting us know when and where we would be attending. Kudos Santa! Ticketmaster has lots of future shows to peruse for all ages, or check your local venues.
*Dear Santa, Nemo-schmemo. It's all Kenny this year.
~And finally, consider a charitable contribution to your local childrens hospital. We have spent far too much time in the past years at our Childrens Hospital in Boston, but not as much time as we could have due to the wonderful care received. I am thankful that we have such a top notch hospital in the area, and even more thankful when we leave;)
Things may not be perfect at our house, but I know things could be a lot worse, and regardless it still is the hap-happiest season of allllllll.......and the holiday music, much to the annoyance of the ill and infirmed, will continue to play 24/7 until this nurse says so.
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