Busy…Getting into the Holiday Spirit

I have been incredibly busy getting ready for the holiday season, which means, buying gifts for what seems like everyone I have met over the past twelve months. While I enjoy selecting the perfect gifts for my loved ones, I do admit to feeling easily overwhelmed by the lengthy and expensive list of recipients, and the ominous task of finding something each other them will truly appreciate.

This includes my own children, who are adding to their Hanukkah lists daily, at just shy of three-years-old. My daughter has asked for a Barbie Dream House, a Barbie car, a pink princess, a chocolate birthday cake, jewelry, unicorn pajamas, pretty dresses, a pink sparkle crown, a skirt that twirls, pink sparkle shoes, a necklace, a princess castle, and the lists continues to grow as we inch closer to our holiday celebrations. Brody, on the other hand, repeatedly asks for a single red race-car, and everything else just falls to the wayside – although monster trucks, he has said, would also “be cool.” While I do want to honor their lists, no matter how big or small, I want to show them that not every gift has to be extravagant to fit within their interests and demands. The benefit to celebrating the holiday over a span of multiple days, is the diversity within those nights.

These Busy Books were a recommendation from a friend. At approximately $12 dollars, they are much cheaper than the $100 plus dollhouse I bought on black Friday, which my husband will be putting together over the next month, and they still include a magical fairy tale, interactive figurines and a play mat to act out the story line with. Bonus, there is no set up and they are portable, which makes them great to take on lengthy holiday dinners. Brody will be receiving a Disney “Cars” themed one, complete with a racetrack and small, model race-cars to drive over the mat, while Bryce will receive one about “Princess Sofia.”

I want my children to experience the thrill of eight nights of Hanukkah celebrations, but without the mind-numbing bill that accompanies this kind of holiday spirit. Gifts like these still speak to the enchantment within my children’s minds, but shrink down their imagination into a more manageable feat. And since they lose interest in just about everything after ten minutes, I wont be left with a debt-fueled rage at Cinderella.