Gift Wrapping Tradition

We have a new Christmas tradition the kids love. It started the Christmas season of 2005. I was seven months pregnant with our youngest and UNCOMFORTABLE! Anyone who has been pregnant knows what I'm talking about.

That year, my in-loves (in laws) were flying in for Christmas and not only were they planning a huge Christmas, but they wanted to give the girls' room and the boys' room a makeover. They had everything shipped here.

I organized the boxes separating gifts from decorations, plus I needed to wrap the gifts from them and from us because there wouldn't be enough time if I waited until my mom-in-love arrived.

There were boxes, some huge, stacked high the length of our hallway. Can we say, overwhelming? I called in my task force aka the kids (we had five at the time). The kids wrapped and decorated presents in shifts, while I marked what was wrapped on my list.

I had them rotate so they couldn't see their own gifts and they only got to see a couple gifts for each person. The kids loved it! They guarded the secrets well, although, they did enjoy the old "I know what you're getting" routine.

I enjoyed watching the clumsy attempts of wrapping by the little ones, the gentle help offered by the older ones, and the creativity they put into it. Some of the gifts look like they were mangled, but it adds to the charm. I wouldn't want perfectly wrapped gifts if it meant losing the precious look of joy on their faces when they announce, "Look, mom, I did it!" (with a little help).

What seemed like a difficult task became a wonderful new tradition. As gifts come in to the house, I write them down, organize the wrapping sessions and check things off. This is one Christmas tradition here to stay. The kids and I look forward to it each year.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Works For Me Wednesday post. If you'd like to play or read more great tips, click on the banner and visit Rocks in My Dryer.