A Different Kind Of Christmas Story

What fun to have kids around at Christmas.

There is nothing more fun than watching

the excitment a little one feels when

they finally "get" Christmas.

But, because the real reason for Christmas

sometimes gets lost in the overwhelming

outpouring of gifts from Santa...

I have a tradition that

I would like to share with you.

This was not my idea..

but something

my daughter, TPot,

does with her children,

her three little daughters,

Lulu, Ria & SweetCheeks.

She does this because

she doesn't want them

consumed with the idea

that Christmas is all about

Santa and presents...

lots and lots of presents.

Presents that

they don't need.

Presents that are there

just to fill every space

under the tree.

The year Lulu was born

she started this tradition...

They each get 3 Santa gifts.

It is something they want..

but can be as simple as

a hula hoop...

or as intriguing as a guitar.

Here is how it happens here.

Come Christmas morning

everyone gathers round the tree

and Mama reads

a simple child's version

of the Christmas story.

When they get to the part

where the 3 Wise Men

come to the stable

(each bringing a gift)

each child goes and finds

their 3 Santa presents

under the tree.

They come back to sit

next to Mom and

then she reads

the rest of the story

of Bethlehem.

Then, and only then,

the opening fun begins.

Of course, they get gifts

from grandparents

and aunts and uncles, too,

as the day goes on...

but I thought this

is a very

special thing to do.

Now, as you can see,

here is SweetCheeks,

last year...in one of

Nana's special gifts!

It has been used for

great entertainment..

and if you want a

REALLY GOOD LAUGH

you can read about that

here.

I promise it will bring a

smile to the surliest face.