Twelve Days

I read a post over at Passionate Home Making that I was really drawn to. I love presents and giving them. Justin and I are on a fairly tight budget so that I can stay home, so there aren't a lot of frivolous purchases made. I saw the 12 days of Christmas idea and really thought it would be impractical, but then I started thinking about how to pull it off. After all, there are things I buy anyway that fit some of those, and some inexpensive extras that could stand in for some of the others.

Unlike the original Twelve Days, I am not repeating so we won't have 12 partridges, or 40 golden rings, or the like. And I'm also sure my sister is laughing because I can not stand the song, but it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up!

I haven't finished this little activity yet, so here's what I done so far...let me know if you plan to do this for someone in your life too. Justin isn't usually all that interested in gifts, but he has gotten excited to see what I have waiting for him each afternoon, so it has been a lot of fun for us both. Some of the things are very practical every day things or even things I have coupons for, but it makes sure he knows he was thought of, and that's the point, after all.

1 Sugar Free Coffee Creamer,

2 Bags of Popcorn,

3 Cans of Low Sodium Soup,

4 Razor Refills,

5 T-shirts,

And 6 Diet Root Beers (in the glass bottles)

* It can be hard to find items sold in groups of 7, 9, and 11, so you might want to save some homemade or creative ideas for those days!

Little Pink Hair Bows

Justin took the girls shopping for me over the weekend. Kate chose flowers, so they gave those to me when they got home on Saturday afternoon.

The little vase is 'flowers' that Gabby picked for me from the yard that day too.

Last night they brought out Gabby's gift. I was a little confused: she gave me little girl’s pink hair bows. Generally we steer the girls a bit when we’re gift buying, so I wondered about it—since he could have pointed out some grown up hair clips next to that set.

Then last night after the girls were in bed Justin told me that when they went shopping he asked what they thought I needed. Kate immediately answered flowers, but Gabby stood there, clearly thinking. When he asked her specifically, she said, “Can I think some mo’?” A few minutes later she, very seriously, said, “Mama needs pink hair bows.” Justin said she was so serious and she’d thought so long he couldn’t say no. So I have hair bows that would look adorable in her hair, perhaps she can borrow them.

I don't think they are my style, but a very sweet and thoughtful gift.