In the past, it’s been very popular with you guys when I post the gifts that we’ve chosen for Annie and Andy. As you know, we have a 3-Gift Christmas here – meaning we give three gifts to each child. One of gold (a treasured gift, usually a toy), one of frankincense (something for worship), and one of myrrh (something for the body).
This has become a very interesting topic to a lot of people – so much so that we were interviewed for The Today Show blog and also for WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas. We are so tickled to be able to share this idea (one we heard of ourselves) with others – so that we can focus on the true meaning of Christmas…and keep our budgets intact. 😉
Just in case you’d like some more gift ideas, you can check out our gifts from 2011 and last year’s gifts.
Let’s go with Annie first! (PS – some links are affiliate links, because the FTC doesn’t take a Christmas break.)
Gold: V-Tech Camera
We waited for a good sale for this one and were able to get a really great deal. Annie has been asking for a camera forever, so we know this is something she will squeal in delight over.
We could have gone with a more expensive camera that would take fabulous pictures – but really, she’s 4 years old and I want her to have a toy camera. I won’t get these pictures printed – she just wants something that “takes real pictures, Mama.”
Frankincense: A nativity snow globe
I found this on Etsy for Annie – and I hope she loves it! She has a thing for snow globes and has already started a collection. Since she isn’t reading yet, I thought this would be a nice gift for her to leave out all year – because we like to celebrate the birth of Jesus all year long! 🙂
Myrrh – Stick-On Earrings
Annie has recently become interested in earrings, but she has no desire to get her ears pierced – which I’m TOTALLY cool with. So, I thought having some that would stick on would bring her joy. I know that my sister and I used to wear them when we were little and I just LOVED them!!
Now on to Andy!
Gold: Melissa and Doug Low Loader
We found this on a great sale via Amazon with free shipping! So, we got this for only $10. Andy loves wooden toys…or maybe I love giving him wooden toys. 😉 Either way, he loves trucks already and I like giving him something that won’t break in two days.
Frankincense: Little People Noah’s Ark
It’s hard buying a frankincense gift for a small child – and I already purchased his nativity last year. So, we decided on this. While, yes, it is a toy, we can also use this to teach the Bible story – and the fact that God always keeps His promises. I hope to get him a Bible of some sort next year.
I just love Little People, don’t you?
Myrrh: Ministar Shoes
Andy really needed these, as his pair is getting worn out FAST. I love the soft soled shoes. I looked for them used, but I guess they are so popular they are hard to find. So, we went with a new pair from Target. Not gonna lie – it was hard to pay $14 for a pair of shoes. I almost passed out in the aisle…but I made it. Shew.
Total, we spent $106 which is WAY MORE than we would normally spend. Even finding a few things on great sales, we still were a little spendy – but we didn’t go over budget or use a card to buy these things. I usually try to find things used, but we didn’t have much luck with that this year – I guess people are hanging on to their stuff. 😉
I’m just wondering if you always try to buy used kid shoes. I’ve read things that act like it’s harmful for them to use old shoes since they mold to the first wearer’s foot. I’m not sure what I think about it. Do you prefer buying used shoes? Thanks.
I almost always by used shoes. 🙂
love all the great gifts
We also did the 3 gift Christmas this year & got the Little Peoples Noah’s Ark for our 15 month old too! Next year I definitely want to get him the nativity set!
You may think you won’t print any of her pictures but I think you will be surprised by the perspective into her world that a camera will give you after you see what she chooses to take pictures of and the composure of the pics. Kids are naturally creative and genuine and there will be amazing beauty and reflectiveness found in her pics, no doubt. 🙂
Hi Stacy: I love your blog and I read it daily. I also like the idea of the 3 gifts…..I love how it ties into the Christmas story. I have 5 kids and several of them are older than your and I also like having a gift giving system. I am sure you have heared this before, but I do “something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read.” It does not tie into the christmas story as well, but it does produce a nice balanced selection of gifts. Keep the great posts coming!!
Love it! I posted the girls’ gifts today, too! We are giving Hannah the Melissa and Doug Shape Sorter Noah’s Ark. I agree–it’s REALLY hard to figure out the spiritual gift for a 1-year-old (especially when her sisters are already everything–like the Little People sets!). LOL! Merry Christmas! 🙂
Do you mean WFAA? Because if so, way cool! That’s the news I grew up with.
Oops…yep! WFAA is right! Thanks for helping me get those letters straight. ;0)
I LOVE your 3-gift Christmas. They got great presents! That’s the key. If the presents are well thought out and meaningful there is no need for more, especially when the grandparents are going to multiply that number by three more!
I just love your thinking on this. I try to get what the person likes and to get it used. I purchase gifts all year long. This year I am giving my sister in law a nutcracker Christmas tree skirt I found at an antique mall for $3.50! She loves nutcrackers. Also this year I purchased $114.92 worth of boxed Christian fiction for $20.00 on craigslist.
I have already started on next year with good deals on items family members will love. Thanks for a great post!
We’ve saved a Noah’s Ark similar to the one you’ve chosen. We purchased it years ago for our baby (now 16 as of a few days ago), and that’s one of the few items we’ve saved to pass down to her and her children.
Sticky earrings-I remember sticky earrings….a very big deal when our oldest (now 23 as of a few days ago) was little.
Enjoyed your Christmas video a few days ago… especially Andy’s enhancements.
Have a very Merry Christmas!