Entertaining

Christmas Gift Giving   This year, perhaps more than ever before, it’s the little things that matter most about the holiday season.  Decorating our home and filling it with holiday cheer has been my focus.  I have concentrated my efforts on the things within our home that I can do to create holiday cheer.  I am thrilled that with everyone around to help, the decorating was done earlier than ever and shopping was completed efficiently online.  This left me with time to concentrate on the little details that I relish so much.  My time has been spent making our home as festive as possible for my family to enjoy.  I know it’s been very difficult for my teenage children this year and, hopefully, my efforts will help make their spirits just a little brighter.  Hours have been spent wrapping gifts with beautiful ribbon, candy canes, greenery and shatterproof ornaments.  This year, instead of hiding all of the presents until Christmas eve, I have put them around the trees in our house, so everyone can enjoy them.  I also setup stations throughout the house where they can take a quick study break from final exams, projects and paper writing. My hope is that these little spaces allow them to spend a few minutes getting into the holiday spirit.  Some of my favorites are the clove and orange decorating station, our Christmas wish jar, a quick snowman gift activity, a table set up with a Christmas puzzle, and a DIY hot cocoa bar.  I have also written little notes of encouragement and left them on their desk or attached them to a bathroom mirror.  My Christmas wish is that these acts of love will lift my family up and help them savor the holidays this year.  To fill my own bucket, I carved out time to develop ideas and make gifts for the special people in my life.  These are the extraordinary people that “show up,” not just for the good times but they are the ones that lift you up when you need it most.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by people like this.  Acknowledging how much I value them, is what fills me with joy.  I may not be able to shop at the most exclusive stores and buy everyone luxury gifts, but I do try to make sure the special people in my life know how much they mean to me.  Most notably are the ceramic trees.  I hope my little trees share that message of gratitude.  I also put together a variety of personalized gift bags.  I love using clear cellophane bags for gift giving.  I always attach a personal message.  Here is the list of bags I put together, with more images below: Frontline friends bag – with scented hand sanitizer, soap, a mask and Hershey’s hugs and kisses (mine were lemon, so I included a fresh lemon) Quarantine bag – festive soap and Hershey’s hugs and kisses with a note that says “Until we can hug in person, this will have to do…Be well!” Homemade cookies in pretty box Hard Cider Cocktail Party bag – Homemade Cider with cocktail napkins (fun paper or personalized linen) attached Homemade Limoncello – in a cloth wine bag & tied with a pretty ribbon and monogram accessory Cookie jars -with the dry ingredients for cookies including directions Frozen cookie dough balls and hot cocoa mix Movie night bags – with popcorn, movie box candy & cozy socks Bath bombs and sugar scrub Oranges and cloves (one made and a DIY kit with extra oranges) Holiday scent bags Hot cocoa in a recycled jar or old fashioned milk bottle (with Baileys for adults and homemade marshmallows for kids) Homemade granola Agave glazed pecans or walnuts I will miss my destination trips to see beautiful decorations.  I will miss visiting the mall and wandering thru little shops to soak in the holiday glitz and glamour.  In the past, I have relied on these holiday getaways and outings to energize me.  They were my motivation to be the lead elf in my house.  This year the holidays will be less about the places we’ve been and more about the details we put into our own spaces.  Here is the message that I attached to my little tree gift.  Feel free to use these words to thank the special people in your life.  Most of all, I hope you have a safe and very happy holiday!           Merry Christmas! May this little tree remind us, that it’s the simple things that matter most.  In times like these, perhaps the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest impact on others.  Thank you for all of the kindness you have bestowed on our family this past year.  Our hope, is that this tree inspires you to continue sharing simple acts of kindness.  Best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season!                                                                              Love,                                                                              the Dauber family,