When I was in college I roomed with a girl who’s family shared a Christmas tradition of making gifts for one another. At the time I thought that was the coolest idea, but couldn’t come up with a single thing I would be able to make a member in my family that they would actually like. Flash forward a couple years when Steve and I were married and didn’t have a lot of disposable income for Christmas.
Thinking of my roommate, I resorted to the idea of making something, and racked my brain for something I could do for Steve, and then the perfect idea hit me, I typed up his missionary journal and digitized his mission pictures and made a movie out of them. We then had Hallie right before that same Christmas and I wanted to make her something as well…and so the tradition started. For the first years I guess it was coincidence I made something, but after four years I will unofficially call it a tradition, and I love the idea of making gifts. It doesn’t have to be anything big, or magnificent, but just to spend a little love on a project for someone that means the world to me.
So this year with three people to make for, I started early. Although I’ve done it for Steve each year, it’s getting harder and harder to think of “home-made/gifts made with love” that I can give him. He just might get axed in years to come! 🙂 But this year…
He got a 140 page book of all our pictures from Peru. (Of course this was also I wonderful gift for me as well!)
I made Hallie a fun little diaper bag, a changing pad and cloth wipes to go in a little case.
I also reprinted a book that I had previously made for Hallie which gets a lot of wear and tear, perhaps something we reprint every two years!
Hunter’s gift was my favorite this year, and also the most time consuming. I wanted to buy him some large foam blocks to build with and knock down. Of course they were far more expensive than any one year old should receive for Christmas, so I set out to make a set instead, and I love them.
This is from set of 15 blocks. What’s fun is Hallie plays with them as well.
Hunter also received a blanket, and a face blanket. He is such a blanket man.
He carries these things around all the time. Which consequently means I’m always washing blankets!
As for as our Christmas morning went, it was great. We love being in our home on Christmas morning. There is something quite magical about it. We had Kaytlin with us to share in the memories which was even better. 
Hallie’s main gift was a huge hit. I found a playhouse on craigslist and it was just perfect for her, and surprisingly Hunter as well. A gift that weeks later she uses daily.
After all the hard work of preparing for Christmas, within 2.5 hours, it’s all done. And it’s evident by huge piles of trash around the living room and toys and pieces of toys scattered everywhere. And at the end of the morning madness. I sat on the couch somewhat saddened. I wasn’t ready for it to be over, and that’s when it hit me that not once during the season did I sit by the light of the tree and marvel at the glory of it. I was bummed. I vowed to start and finish all projects by Dec 1 next year so I can enjoy the month a little more.
We had a wonderful morning feeling so blessed with health, love, family and friends. We had an amazing ham dinner with friends that night and late that night picked my dad up from the airport…and then the bathroom remodel began…
Kara-
Did you make her gospel ABC book? I want to make one for Gray in boy-style. What company did you go through & would you mind sharing some of the places you bought or downloaded the images from? Maybe even what you used for each letter? If it's too much trouble, don't worry about it, but I'd love to make one for our church bag!
Thanks!
Karli
[email protected]
Yes, I too would love to get some more info. about your ABC gospel book. What a great idea! And holy cow, I can't belive you made all those great gifts. You are so talented Kara! I bet Steve loved his Peru book. That is a great gift. Looks like you guys had a great Christmas. I agree that it's a little sad when it's all over so quickly too.
What a great idea to make gifts for each other. I love the book; I bet it is beautiful!!
I want the details of the Gospel ABC book…super cute. Do you want to just print & ship me one & I will pay you? {except the whole name thing…hmm}.
Also, what is with Hunter looking like a little boy over night. what happened to the baby in him?!?
i agree hunter looks amazingly old all of a sudden. how did that happen?
i love all your gifts. you are so creative…and they look so well done. i also love your gospel abc's book. pretty sure i'm coveting over here…
oh and i CANNOT wait to see this bathroom remodel! i loooooove remodels!
dang girl! i love the blocks!!! and ditto to everything with the abc book, i've seen a few but this one looks like you could have it ready much faster than other ones i've seen. glad you had a great christmas.
looks like SUCH a fun Christmas. Maybe I'll start right now for next Christmas and get some home-made gifts going. Hmmmm…
I LOVE all the stuff you did.
Did you get my text about the bed? I don't know if I got you in time. No problem if not, but awesome if you were able to do it. I decided we really need to "just do it" on the bedroom switch if we can.
Ok, sure love you guys and talk soon.
kate takes teh cake on the xmas jammies! you cant beat the rocked black!
I miss you! We could have had so much fun doing projects together!!
You really are such a Betty Kara! What an adorable Christmas, I love all the presents you made. Your kids are adorable and I am so glad you are so healthy, happy and beautiful! We miss you guys!!
Gotta love homemade gifts! Some come out cuter than others (at least in our family), but I must say, you do a great job at this tradition! 🙂 And I am DYING to see the bathroom remodel!! Is it done yet???
~Stacey
LOOOOOOVE everything you made. It all turned out so well. And I love your pictures. I always forget to get pictures of our family by the tree each year. Next year I will remember!
You need to live closer so some of this craftiness will rub off on me. Very cool gift giving ideas.
Hi Kara, I found your log through Shawni's. Any chance you could email info on how you made the gospel abc's book? It would be perfect fomy three little boys. Thanks! [email protected]