last saturday

Thank goodness I have three fantastic helper bees who agree that the packaging and the delivery are equally as fun as the making and the giving parts of gifts. One of our Advent gifts was a pile of white fabric squares bundled with some fabric markers. The boys insisting we make an ornament to adorn each package that left the house (the ornaments are much like the simple Stuffed Art from my book - you can find the instructions in an excerpt here. Just add a length of ribbon at the top for hanging).

And then there was the baking. Who knew that when you start making holiday cookies before Thanksgiving, it is quite likely to be tired of making them by the end of December? Hmnn. Small bread loaves to the rescue. Banana Pecan, Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip, and Sweet Potato Cranberry. Yum, yum.

And then the wrapping of our gift. Yes, "gift' the singular. I had this little revelation in September to make something really special, and then kind of multiply it by everyone on our list. Vague - I know. I'll share it with you next week when more of them are in the right hands. But I will say that it made my holiday stress a little bit lighter, the kids had such joy in the making, and - I think - the recipients were pleased. Ah...

And finally, the delivery on Solstice Day. Warm cocoa, some 'fancy delivery clothes' (Ezra's thing) and signage (Calvin's thing), and a family drive around town to scatter packages at the doorstep of friends and family. My little ones had such fun playing Solstice Elves, as they dubbed themselves.

And I dare say, they were the cutest little Solstice Elves I've ever seen.

Comments

[Amber]

Seriously cute! I love that little argyle sweater and the pants with the hole in the knee!

I opted a few years ago for a common themed gift for all of our neighbors and friends and it made gifting so much easier.

My kids love this idea of writing on blank stuffies. In fact, my daughter offered up the idea of making one for her classmates to sign when they left their school last week. Alas, I simply didn't have the time to do it...

[Suzanne]

Oh too cute! But what was in the packages:-)

[Ram in the Thicket]

I hate when I forget my 'Boat & Tote' bags and have to take home a truckload of bags from the store. I just picked up a huge roll of brown paper for FREE that I plan to use for simple wrapping ;o)

Did my mittens ornament make it to you okay?

[Mary Beth]

Amanda, as always your ideas are super-inspiring. We've also sort of adopted the concept of getting the same gift for everyone and it does make the stress go down a little. As for the ornament toppers? Love that!!! And it is so lovely that your little ones enjoy the giving so much.

[Jana]

What wonderful ideas & memories to treasure always. Your photography is amazing too!!

[coffeechris]

my favorite is the "delivery" sign THE BEST I love the creative child no matter the age, me and my son included. Good for you to embrace the kids and brown paper, can't begin to tell you the brown paper saved and shared at this home. Love your blog thanks

[Kirsten]

Lovely little ornaments - can't wait for your book.

[Lorien]

I'm excited to hear about your idea. I love that you celebrate Solstice. Once we started celebrating the Solstice, it took away all the pressure of celebrating everything on one day. I'm also very patiently waiting for your book. I have it on pre-order and only check once a week to see if it is coming sooner than planned:P

[Anne]

Those are the cutest Solstice Elves I have seen. I love that you attached a handmade orament to each package.

[Lissilulu]

love it all Amanda!
my 5 year old daughter just sat beside me tonight with two gynormous sheets of construction paper and asked to make them into a pillow....anything goes for pillow making huh?
we love brown paper here too for wrapping and the dollar tree had it this year...hooray!
lovely sign and also chuuby little fingers doing the stamping!
lori

[Marisa]

Home made goodies...always the best of course. Nothing warms the heart more. I'm looking forward to when my son is a bit older and contributes his own ideas to our family traditions. How sweet.

[qalballah]

What I wouldn't give to find a little present in brown paper tied up in string on *my* doorstep...

[Posidriv]

We have been making Stuffed Art today, thanks for the inspiration! :)

http://posidriv.blogspot.com/2007/12/mjuke-leiker-ei-kjapp-lita-runde-innom.html

[bex]

"And I dare say, they were the cutest little Solstice Elves I ever did see."

Almost...;p. Xxx

[Natalie]

Isn't it a pleasure to reflect on all we accomplished in the last weeks, or even months? Over the years I have learned, thankfully, that loving the process is a blessing... thank you for sharing glimpses of your process. Happy New Year!

[kate]

that sign around his neck is super cute! Great idea on the ornaments on each package.

[Sher]

I am a real novice cookie maker so sorry is this is a stupid question. How do you keep the cookies that you make at Thanksgiving fresh until Christmas? Or are you giving them away as you make them.

[SOULEMAMA]

Sher -

Mostly....eating. ;)

But some we gave away, and some we did freeze. You can freeze most cookies - it works quite well!

[Beth]

Oh, JOY! My withdrawls are gone! *Ü* Thank you for such a lovely post! We, too, made many "same" gifts, and it was such fun! We got the most fabulous Candy Cane Cocoa (and each packet had the cutest picture on it!) and wrapped individual packets in red gingham ribbon according to how many in the recepients' family. We made pumpkin bread, tied with tulle, and glass magnets as well. My son made origami boxes and we filled them with hershey's kisses. It all (except the bread) went in small brown gift bags decorated with rubber stamps and ribbon. Some had a little more added (origami wreaths, family got our fave movie "Facing the Giants", etc.) We got most of it delivered, but a horrible stomach flu interrupted the rest, so we'll finish up this coming week.
As always, I LOVE your blog, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for awakening the crafty mama in me! *Ü* My children thank you, too, as they are enjoying crafting as well.
Wishing you Love and Joy in the coming year~
Beth

[Beth]

Loving the brown paper and red ribbon. Driving around town with a carload of pretty packages is one of my favourite things to do this time of year - this year we dropped cookies and homemade pickles on doorsteps. People really appreciate the time that goes into making something and stopping by with it.

The bonus? Seeing the Christmas lights! We did it in the evening and since it's been snowing in obscene amounts here in Halifax (I'm sure you can sympathize) the houses were all lit up and glowey (a word?) in the cold white world.

Beth

[Laura]

How wonderful!

The holidays are truly special when kept simple, peaceful & for the children's pleasure!!

Happy New Year to you!

Laura

[mary]

Those ornaments our just wonderful.

[brandie]

i wish i could have seen the cute delivery people...adorable! but we so enjoyed receiving the goods. the calendar is perfection and the bread, um, what I got to taste of it once my little elves ate it, was so delish! xoxoxo

[Jennifer]

Super cute and super snowy. Wow - it looks cold there!

[Janey]

What a great idea. I can't wait to see what your gift was. I'm all about less stress but still making it homemade. Happy New Year!!

[Susanna]

What a sweet post....you guys are the best! Happy Solstice!

[Tava]

They are so cute! Can't wait to find out the present. Also, I hope we get to see what Calvin hid around the house and gave his family.

[ilse]

You make us so curious !!

But than again, the packaging is so lovely that's also a present !

happy last saturday !

XXXX
Ilse

[Barbara]

ah, this blog and your photos bring me so much joy, happy holidays, Amanda & family!

[Melanie]

Just so cute! I'm dying to know what are in the packages!

[kylie]

Amanda,
Your photos are amazing. The great joy I had this Christmas was watching my 2 and 4 year-olds get involved in making gift cards, drawings and helping with the baking. Priceless.
- Kylie

[gnarlynanny]

wow, soulemama... i know this is super-corny, but seriously, your posts warm my heart. i love reading your blog and i can't WAIT to get that book in the mail come april! i am trying to forget about it so it will be a surprise when it shows up but i just can't! hooray for a lovely solstice for your lovely family =)

[Molly]

I love those little birds. :)

[Ravenhill]

I just wanted to wish you a happy, creative and fun 2008! Thank you so much for all the inspiration in 2007. I enjoy your blog greatly!

[Tracy]

I'm a lurker on your blog but I have to say, you and your family and your stories *are* truly heartwarming. To use a tacky cliche (but I mean it!) -- thanks for keeping it "real."

[Shannon B.]

That first picture really made me smile. :)

I do hope we can convince you to share the sweet potato cranberry recipe!! That sounds heavenly!

[sarah]

Cant' wait to see what you made, oh yes and please do share your sweet potato cranberry recipe!

[jean]

I'm so sorry i missed those elves. I'm writing the birthdays in today so it can adorn my wall and greet me everyday. happy happy new year.

[Dallas]

Such a cute post - I love all the little details, like the sign, and the special outfit. My husband's family has a similar tradition of delivering gifts around town to friends. They call themselves elves too as they sneak up to doors and drop off packages.

[Dallas]

Such a cute post - I love all the little details, like the sign, and the special outfit. My husband's family has a similar tradition of delivering gifts around town to friends. They call themselves elves too as they sneak up to doors and drop off packages.

[Akhila]

Cutest presents, packaging and delivery-elves I've ever seen. Who wouldn't be just so happy to open the door for little elves like these.
Akhila