I’m giddy with every light I see. I’m so excited that my satellite radio has not one, but TWO Christmas stations for me to feast my ears on. My poor son knows nothing of my Christmas decor addiction, but as soon as Halloween weekend was over, started asking me for lights, a tree and dictating about latest obsession to “be good for Santa.” (I promise I didn’t bring this up first this year!!) Since it’s also the Thanksgiving season, I’m wanting to use this impressionable time in his life to teach him to choose presents for others and the power of giving. I think picking out gifts for others is a great way to realize that not everything is for you, and that it feels really good to offer someone else your services or something that they might like. Red’s spends five days a week with his two Pre-K teachers, and has grown to know them well and feel comfortable sharing stories, crafts and life experiences. After all, they are assisting me and Chase to raise Red! What better-deserving people than these to let Red choose some small gifts!
Our local outdoor shopping mall is cram packed with stores decking their halls for the holidays, so we ducked into the Hallmark store (more than just cards!!) to find a little something to say thank you to his teachers! With Red’s latest fascination of Star Wars, this was, of course, the first section of the store we visited. Cards, ornaments, gifts, coloring books; there was something for every age group! I, personally, was taken by the assortment of Hallmark Itty Bittys, tiny ornaments and plushies featuring your favorite characters like Star Wars, Disney, and others.
Darth Vader came home to make his way into Red’s stocking, and Ariel will make her debut as Scarlett’s first ornament on our family tree. The best part about these minis is that are shatterproof! YAY! Darth Vader actually looks very cute this small. And take a look at those cards behind him. Soft ornaments are included with these Xmas cards so that the teachers can hang a little bit of Red’s personality on their tree, too!
Those little boxes under Darth are actually some of the most insanely delicious peppermint bark I’ve ever tasted. It wasn’t on my shopping list until the poor clerk who greeted me at the door gave me a sample from her large, festive platter of the chocolatey stuff. It was SO GOOD. At less than $4 per box, it makes a great addition to a gift so you don’t break the bank. Plus, I know teachers like little tasty treats (so they don’t accumulate eleventy-billion coffee mugs).
When we finally arrived home, I made sure that Red played a big part in the creation and wrapping of our gifts. He was concentrating SO HARD copying down the teacher’s names and signing his own using a “big boy” pen. Teaching him to nicely wrap a present with wrapping paper and getting those edge creases? Um… a little harder. Maybe next time I’ll pick up some gift bags instead.
But honestly, the fact that we have some Star Wars wrapping paper left over from our shopping spree means that our gifts at home will delight this little fella when they make their way under the tree.
So who are you wrapping for this year? What person (or personS) in your life deserve at least a little token of thanks?! Take a look at the video below for some Holiday gift inspiration at Hallmark!
I’m loving all the Star Wars ornaments and gifts. Very cute!
Thank you, and Me, too! I’m already planning to go back and get a couple more. They are tiny and inexpensive!
Hey Lindsey! Do you mind me asking what app/site you use to make your video? I love that it has your logo and everything on it! Very impressive and professional!
Thank you so much! I actually used iMovie for this one, and when I upload to YouTube, I have it set to apply my watermark in the corner for each one – it’s a setting I recently discovered, and I’m a BIG fan! 🙂
I need all the Star Wars ornaments! I LOVE them soooo much.
This is such a great idea and so needed. Too often, we forget that a spirit of giving is something that needs to be nurtured in children.
Your little mermaid reminds me of Turks! lol I love the darth vadar ornament too. My kids would love both!!
We have always tried to teach our kids to give thoughtfully and willingly! It’s such a great thing to teach them.
Each year we give less and less items and are changing more to experiences. One thing we haven’t stopped is the fact that we get one or two new ornaments each year to remember an event or milestone from the year.
Those Star Wars Itty Bittys are so cool. I may have to pop into the Hallmark store for some ideas!
Ornaments are such a great gift idea for teachers. My mom was a teacher and when I was growing up we had a variety of ornaments on the tree from students she’d had over the years. Plus, the little Hallmark ornaments are adorable. I may need to add a few to my tree!
I’m so sure my two boy would love this Star wars ornament they’re huge fan of star wars.
This is really awesome. I love teaching kid to give thanks and be thankful for all they have. This is a brilliant idea!
I love this! It is so important to teach kids to give. Every year I run a 31 days of gifts event on my blog and all the items featured in my gift guide are donated to local families in need. This year my girls will be helping me deliver over $1500 in gifts – my girls would love these gifts for themselves, but they are learning how good it feels to give to people who really are less fortunate than they are.
My little brother loves star wars. He’s not little anymore he’s 31. But still. I love how Red’s tongue is sticking out as he’s concentrating on writing, so precious!!!!!!!
I am not ready for the Christmas music yet. I even landed on a song I like but I still changed the station.
I love the picture of Red. You can tell he is really concentrating on the cards. I will be giving gifts (not sure what yet, probably cookies) for the staff at my mom’s cancer treatment center and the staff at the pharmacy we use.
I think it’s such a great idea to get kids involved in gift giving so they learn the joy of watching someone else get a present! We always allow my daughter to pick a child from the angel tree to buy presents for 🙂
Star Wars themes and peppermint bark? I hope I’m on your Christmas list (probably not). Thanks for sharing the wrapping paper and decorative ideas. The ribbon is so awesome! My sisters and I exchange a Christmas stocking of whatnots each year, which is really fun. I think Luke Skywalker, Darth Vadar, and Yoda would fit in the stocking very well.
I enjoy seeing kids give; this time of year especially. I love all the little ornaments.
Stars Wars is taking over and I love it. Little Red look so adorable as he focused on writing! Thanks for sharing!
That tiny Darth is so stinking cute! And you can’t go wrong with peppermint bark this time of year!
What a sweet thing to do. I also love the ornaments. I have not been in a Hallmark in years. I am thinking it is time to get back.
We encourage the kids to choose someone or something they can give to. They both have a pretty sweet giving spirit.
they are truly adorable. I love the shatterproof aspect especially when gifting to little kids. This lets them admire and hold thier new gifts but without cause for concern