This weekend, I spent some time putting together our kiddos’ Easter baskets. Gathering the treasures I’ve collected over the last few months, ordering a last few pieces, arranging everything neatly, fluffing a big bow on the side… it was just the sort of feel-good, expectant project I needed right now.
Though Easter baskets weren’t a thing in my family growing up, I have really embraced them over the last few years. I want my kids to look forward to Easter as much as they do Christmas or any other holiday, and though of course I want them to love Easter for what it means for our lives and our faith, resurrection is a big idea for little ones to grasp. I am not above playing up the celebratory and exciting aspects of the holiday; to me, they make perfect sense when framed in an explanation of why we’re celebrating. That Jesus would come to bring hope to the whole world – everyone, everywhere – that he would choose to die so that we – everyone, everywhere – would have a guarantee that the worst thing is never the last thing… that is worthy of celebrating.
In his book Parenting, Paul David Tripp writes, “Your job [as a parent] is to do everything in your power, as an instrument in the hands of the Redeemer who has employed you, to woo, encourage, call, and train your children to willingly and joyfully live as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I like to think he’d include Easter baskets as something in my power :)
On a totally different note, Easter baskets feel especially important to me this year since they are one of my favorite opportunities to support the small businesses I love. I don’t know about you, but when I find myself in an adorable shop while traveling or in my own city, I always want to make a purchase – but also don’t want to spend money just to spend it. Picking up little things for stockings and holidays is a great way to find unique and memorable items, support the boutiques I love, and spread out the impact on our budget over many months.
Of course, all of that is more challenging this year – but there are still tons of wonderful online shops you can support (or brick and mortar shops with online presences), and I’ve highlighted a few of them below. Especially since Amazon has delays on many non-essential items right now, this might be the perfect opportunity to venture farther afield! :) Speaking from the perspective of someone intimately involved in a small but mighty business, I know whatever purchases you make will be so appreciated.
Alright – on to the fun stuff! Here’s a peek at June and Shep’s baskets this year: not quite done, but on their way!
Before I get into the 2020 specifics, here are a few things I consider including each year:
— A faith-based book to add to our library. I’ve rounded up some of our favorites here. (I try to buy these from a local source when possible, like Quail Ridge Books or McIntyre’s Books!) Of course, Write the Word Kids is also a perfect pick for your older kids! :)
— A new set of pajamas. These usually come from Hanna Andersson or my favorite consignment sale. A few others I’ve spotted and love: this colorful alphabet set, strawberry and mini dots, pretty pastel fruit, light pink dinos (love these colors!), jungle animals, and boats in the harbor.
— A new bathing suit or beach gear. Again, Hanna is our favorite for rash guards! (Also, this sun hat is cute!)
— Something fun to play with, like new chalk, dollhouse furniture (this bed is on my list for the future!), bubbles, a card game, an activity book, or this for our weather lover. Many more ideas here!
— A special snack, like bunny grahams, those frosted animal cookies, or fruit snacks.
And I always tuck in some a few of their favorite stuffed animals, because June thinks it’s hilarious :) We love Jellycats and Cuddle + Kind dolls!
Now, here’s what’s going in our little ones’ baskets this year!
Of course it goes without saying, but under the current circumstances, I want to say it: an Easter basket is not a requirement to have a meaningful or celebratory Easter. Kids are delighted with the smallest gestures, and you could easily put together a fun basket for $10. But, if you’re able to, this is a lovely opportunity to support the businesses you love.
Baskets or no, I’d love to hear how you’re planning to make Easter special this year, friends, if you’re celebrating! I’m still working on our plans… it will certainly look different than most years, but I’m up for the challenge :)
We have a four year old in the house! Three was the sweetest of sweet ages (proof) and I am expectant to see what four has to offer. If it’s more of the same, that sounds great to me :)
Over the years, we’ve collected a few simple family birthday traditions — a balloon for each year at your chair, the birthday banner hung on the fireplace, and getting to choose your birthday dinner.
Last year, we introduced one more: the birthday interview!
This is not a new idea by any stretch of the imagination — Pinterest has a zillion free printables — though I originally got the idea not from Pinterest but from our friends the Henrys, who conduct a similar interview with their kids on Christmas Eve every year (continuing a tradition from Mackenzie’s family growing up!).
We keep it simple: I just type up and print out her answers and stick them in a binder. (When she’s older, I’ll have her write them!)
There is one twist we’ve initiated, though: we film her answering the questions! Her little voice arrests me with its cuteness daily, and I know one day I will be desperate to listen to what she used to sound like. I’m not crying, you’re crying.
When she turned three, we thought she’d be old enough to understand our questions and come up with an answer to them, and though she has indeed answered the questions both years, some of her answers are definitely… of dubious veracity, as least according to her revealed preferences. For example, this year she named grapes as her favorite fruit — even though we have grapes in our house about two times a year. I’ve been known to add commentary in parentheses to some of the more out-there answers :)
(For the record, I can sympathize: have you ever had the experience of being asked your favorite book, and literally not being able to think of a single book you’ve ever read?! What is a book???)
Eventually we’ll add Shep’s answers to the binder, too! Here are the questions we ask, if you’d like to try something similar:
Favorite color: Favorite animal: Favorite book: Favorite thing to watch: Favorite thing to wear: Favorite game: Favorite song: Favorite breakfast: Favorite snack: Favorite fruit: Favorite treat: Favorite place to eat: Favorite thing to do outside: Favorite thing to do inside: Favorite toy: Favorite stuffed animal: Favorite holiday: Best friend: I am really good at: Where I want to go on vacation: What I want to be when I grow up: What we did on my birthday:
One last note: this is the type of thing that, if I had an eight year old and was hearing about it for the first time, might stress me out, being late to the party. Don’t do that. If you have an eight year old and want to start this, just start it! I promise she won’t care that you skipped years 3-7 :)
Happy Christmas Eve, friends! I wanted to pop in quickly to share our 2019 Christmas cards and a few more favorites from our fall mini session with Anagram Photo. Sending and receiving holiday cards is one of my very favorite Christmas traditions, and I always love sharing them with you, too!
Our card, as always, is from Minted. I looked at many different options, but loved this super simple one in the end. Minted’s thick paper makes it feel extra-special, too!
On the back of the Minted card, we printed a few extra photos and a favorite verse. This is also where I wrote a little note to each friend or family member!
Into the envelope we also slipped our yearly infographic. I forgot to take a picture, but here’s a peek! We have these printed separately at UPrinting. Shep’s little narrative cracks me up :)
And now, a few more favorites from our mini session with Graham. We have trusted him to capture some of our most precious memories as a family, and these photos are no different! This is the first time we’ve ever done a session specifically timed for Christmas cards, and I think I’m in love :)
Friends, I am sending you all lots of love and wishesfor a cozy Christmas filled with sacred moments, delicious food, comfy pajamas, and laughing until your cheeks hurt with the ones you love. I will see you back here next week for my year in review – one of my favorite posts of the year!
Minted graciously gifted us our cards this year — so glad I can share them with you!
Being the nosy curious Enneagram 5 that I am, I loved this post from Everyday Reading about what she’s actually getting her four girls for Christmas. While gift guides are so helpful, seeing what others actually choose for their own kiddos from the sea of options helps me to narrow down my own list — and is just fun! In that spirit, I thought you might like to see what June and Shep will find under the tree this year.
We don’t officially subscribe to the want / need / wear / read philosophy of gift giving (though I do keep it in mind), and some years we give more gifts than others. At my children’s current ages, I’m also not at all concerned about matching amounts spent or number of gifts given. They already both have more than enough, but these are a few things we think will delight them this year!
Sorry not sorry this is the actual cutest photo you’ve ever seen — Anagram, you are my hero!!!
June (who is almost 4) will be receiving: — A rock polisher. She LOVES collecting “crystals” everywhere she goes (she sounds like a bank vault because of the rocks constantly jangling in her pockets) and I predict she will be obsessed with shining up her finds. — A book about rocks, gems, and minerals that we picked up from our Museum of Life & Science. — A set of 10 My Little Ponies, similar to this. This was a total spur-of-the-moment purchase at Costco (of all places), but I think she will love it. My all-time favorite activity from the ages of approximately 3 to 8 was making “pony houses” for (you guessed it) My Little Ponies, so there is a good deal of nostalgia at play. Shout out to my BFF, pony-house-making accomplice and across-the-street neighbor, Emily – I know you’re reading! :) — Light-up sneakers, because they are the number one item on her wish list. Found a pair that is not too garish :)
I also have my hopes that a loved one will get her a doctor’s kit, and if I see no one has purchased it a few days before the 25th I may snap it up – or might wait for her birthday :)
Shep (who is about 1 and a 1/2) will be receiving… — A dinosaur backpack and dinosaur lunchbox for his big upgrade to preschool! — The most adorable apple sweater. Since I buy 90% of my kids’ clothes secondhand, I don’t mind splurging every so often, and I thought this top was so cute! Heirloom-worthy :) I’d been eyeing this for months and snagged it on Black Friday. — A photo memory game with all of his grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles. We made one for June around this age and she loved looking at the cards even before she could play the game! — The Christmas version of his favorite book, because he is OBSESSED.
As well as stockings, of course! Below, tell me what you’re getting your kiddos this year — I love seeing people’s actual lists!