Happy December 1

image from here



It's that time again. I know many of you are done with your shopping. At least that's what I'm hearing in the preschool parking lot. I always start slow on December 1 {NEVER on Black Friday} and finish within two weeks or so. Maybe someday I'll be one of those ladies who can scoop up pretty little things year-round and tuck them away for a later date. But so far I live in the moment and it works. There are plenty of things about holiday shopping I'd like to skip this year. Traffic. Parking. Crowds. Lines. Malls. Tired and hungry kids hanging on by a thread. Toy stores. Late nights. Settling on something that doesn't feel right. If I've learned anything in the last 6 months it's that 1 mom + 1 fully loaded double stroller + 1 shopping cart = 1 migraine. Sooooo, I window shop {mostly online} for ideas in November and buy as the mood strikes.



We give to a few dozen kids, parents, hosts, etc. every year. My own itty bitties are the least of my shopping woes. They are so easy to please and too young to be circling things in catalogs. Thank God. We've made a conscious effort to teach Buby the difference between wanting and needing, and I remind him daily to appreciate the experience of our days more than the stuff of them, so hopefully that sticks as he grows. That said, I think I overheard him on the phone with both grandmas listing off Thomas trains he does not have. Oh boy.



My Sweets + I don't like a lot of excess at home, so we buy Buby + Bleu what they need {like clothes + art supplies} throughout the year and keep Christmas simple with a few well chosen, well made goodies we know they'll use + love for a while. We look at books, puzzles, and things that teach and encourage pretend play. Buby + Bleu share an open play space where everything is fair game, so we don't allow toys with small parts {small enough to fit through a toilet paper roll} or too junky for Bleu to put in her mouth. Yes, she puts EVERYthing in her mouth.



So that my wee-hour research doesn't go to waste, I'll post my daily Gift Guide again starting tomorrow. Things that caught my picky producer's eye. Things I feel we should all celebrate for being so darn cute or innovative. You're welcome. Hopefully it'll introduce you to a company you didn't know or inspire your inner Martha to make something for someone on your list. And please... share any finds of your own. We buy for kids ages newborn to 10 and love new sources. Happy shopping everyone!