Friday, December 23, 2011

Our Family Tradition- 3 Wise Men,Jesus & Santa

My daughter started a wonderful
tradition with her children.
I thought I would share it
with some of you that
might want to adopt
the idea while
your kids are
still small.

There is always the urge
for SANTA to
overspend at Christmas,
isn't there?
When is enough enough?
How many presents should
each child get?

Well, at my daughter's house,
Santa brings each child
THREE GIFTS....
just like
JESUS
got three gifts from the wise men.
On Christmas morning the girls
come down the stairs.
The are wearing their brand new
(hopefully matching)
CHRISTMAS pjs that
Papa and Nana deliver
on Christmas Eve.
It is the one  small gift
 they open that night.

As they settle down,
Mama reaches for her
special
CHRISTMAS MORNING BOOK.
It is the story of the nativity
and she reads it to them.
When she gets
to the part where the
THREE WISE MEN
bring their gifts to
JESUS
the girls all scramble over
to the tree and find the
three gifts that
SANTA has left
for each one of them.
It will always be something
they want...and could be
as simple as
 a coloring book with crayons
or a bigger gift like
a snowboard.

Whatever it is~
Each child feels as special
as can be that SANTA
has gifted them with
something special
just like
JESUS
got three gifts from the
THREE WISE MEN

Once they find their presents
they snuggle back up to Mama
who finishes the story
of Bethlehem.
And then they open their
Santa gifts.


Now, they also get a
Mom and Dad gift and
Nana and Papa gifts
and Auntie and Uncle gifts,
so there is no lack of presents-
but it does put a limit on
dear old Dad
SANTA.

We have come to love
this special tradition
and how it kind of ties
everything together
for our family.

And THIS YEAR
there will be two
more special little
ones that will listen to
their Auntie TPot
read the Christmas story.
And at least ONE of these
monkeys will be
scrambling to find his
three gifts too!
I. JUST. CAN'T. WAIT!
your photo name

25 comments:

Gina said...

I love this idea! I just heard of another blogger (Ricki Jill) who does the 3 present thing. I wish I had known this when my kids were little because it's a wonderful & meaningful idea.

Susie said...

Diana, That is a wonderful tradition. Charles sure has a nice head of hair already wow. Can't wait to see your pictures.I used to take a picture of my daughters all lined up looking, over the back of the sofa,at the tree with their presents under it. Waiting patiently . Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog.:):) Smiles, Susie(She Junks)

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Oh my goodness, I love this idea! Next year I can start this as everything has been wrapped and under the tree. Don't think it would go over to well if I started taking gifts away LOL
Merry Christmas :)
XO

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

What a great tradition! Have a Merry Christmas, Diana!

Rose Garden Malevik said...

Hi Diana
Lovley Post :)
and do not miss.....

C
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I
S
T
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A
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P
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It´s fun :)
WELCOME
And I wish you a Merry Merry Christmas
Håkan ( The Roseman)

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

What a fantastic idea...wish I had done that with my kids! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Awww Diana what a heart warming tradition! Where's my tissues!?!
Our give away theme was 12 days of christmas my true luv gave to me...u know the song! :) We hosted 12 days of give aways! You still have time to enter all or as many as you wish, under each posting! Have a wonderful Christmas with those sweet youngings! Warm Holiday Hugs! ~Ginger

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is so sweet, Diana...you are blessed! Enjoy Christmas with your family! XO

Mark said...

Okay, your daughter is a better Mother than I am. So what! I really do try to do my best.
I hope that you have the best Christmas ever!
Your Friend, m.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, How fabulous!!! I LOVE your tradition! and adore this pic of the 2 little cutie pies!! Merry Christmas to you and your whole family!
Love,
Cindy

DustyLu said...

Wishing you and yours the very best this coming year! hugs lulu

Brenda Pruitt said...

I sure wish my daughter would take this advice! Kids getting too many gifts is not a good thing in my book.
Brenda

julie - eab designs said...

I love this tradition! When my kids were younger they visited the same Santa each year. He would read part of the Christmas story and talk about the creche that he kept next to his sleigh. After their talk, he always gave them a candy cane and a holy card. I loved how he kept the true meaning of Christmas - just like your daughter. Wishing you a most happy Christmas!

Jo said...

This is such a wonderful idea and brings in the real reason we celebrate! I too agree that many go over board and it has become the season of greed and gluttony.

Jo
PS ~ thanks for the pine cone; I may take you up on it next year :)

Holly said...

I love this idea, Diana! How wonderful that they read the story of the nativity to begin the festivities!
Hope you have a blessed Christmas!

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Hello Diana~
It is a lovely tradition.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,
to you and your family.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

What a wonderful tradition! Wishing you and your family just the best holiday ever Diana. And looking forward to sharing more blogging adventures in the new year!

The Tuscan Home said...

What a wonderful tradition, fabulous post! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and blessed New Year! xoxo ~Liz

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Wonderful tradition! Enjoy your family time! A very merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday seasons to you and yours!...hugs...Debbie

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Such a dear post! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas Diana!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Tete said...

You know, I really love this tradition. Wish I could have used it on my kids when they were little. TPot sure is clever! Have a Merry Christmas and hug each one of those kids for me this year. I would love to be there pinching little cheeks!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Diana, This sounds like a wonderful tradition that will be handed down for many generations. I hope you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas.
xo,
Sherry

Emily @ The Diligent One said...

Love it! Your daughter is very wise.

Emily

Annesphamily said...

This is a beautiful tradition! Love to you and yours.

Cindy Adkins said...

I think that's a wonderful tradition! Thanks for sharing.
Cindy