Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

When I was a teenager, I got invited to my first Christmas ornament exchange. My Sunday School teacher was very creative and wanted a special party for our class.

All dressed up, my friend and I went together with our new ornaments purchased and wrapped. Feeling all grown up, I remember unwrapping the red and green striped paper to reveal a shiny gold sleigh ride ornament.

Though I did not have a Christmas tree in my room, we had a family tree where I proudly displayed my new ornament. Today, that ornament is no longer bright and shiny, but I still proudly hang in on my tree year after year.

My Favorite Ornament Exchange

Since my first ornament exchange, I have attended a number of parties that included an ornament exchange.

My favorite exchange occurred with my roommates in college. After purchasing and wrapping ornaments for each other, we met for the campus lighting ceremony complete with singing Christmas carols. Then we headed out to dinner and exchanged our ornaments over dessert.

We took turns giving our ornaments to each other. When we got back to our dorm room, we decorated our Christmas tree with our new ornaments. This ornament exchange holds a special place in my heart as the experience brings back fond memories with special friends.

Options for Your Ornament Exchange

As you plan your holiday festivities, an ornament exchange offers an opportunity for making special memories. You can allow one participate to gift her ornament. Then the one gifted, chooses another participant to give her wrapped gift until all have a new ornament.

Another option is to turn the ornament exchange into a game where all the ornaments are put together. Then numbers are drawn. When it is your turn, you may either choose from the group or “steal” from one that already opened an ornament you want.

In using time wisely this holiday season, an ornament exchange requires little planning with lots of fun, laughs, and memories. If you need (or want) a reason to party, consider an ornament exchange or a cookie exchange. Both include seasonal items to make the gathering fun for adults, teenagers, and children. Enjoy this Christmas season with those you love. Happy planning!

Question: What gatherings are you planning this holiday season?

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

I don’t know about you, but each year I have such good intentions of doing so many fun things for Christmas that never end up happening.

My problem is that I think of fun things, but I don’t make a plan. Well, this year is going to be different. I may not get everything accomplished, but I will have a plan. 😉

Since most of our Christmas traditions begin on December 1, I will highlight one item per day for my 25 Days ’til Christmas.

My 25 Days ’til Christmas

1 – Take a Christmas museum tour.

2 – Decorate our home for Christmas.

3 – Read the Christmas story.

4 – Start making gifts for my children’s classmates and teachers.

5 – Begin wrapping gifts.

6 – Place remaining on-line orders for gifts.

7 – Watch a Christmas movie.

8 – Assist with Sunday School Christmas Party.

9 – Prepare packages for mailing.

10 – Continue working on gifts for teachers and classmates.

11 – Mail all Christmas presents to friends and relatives.

12 – Bake Christmas cookies for school friends.

13 – Package gifts for my children’s classes.

14 – Deliver packages to school.

15 – Wrap more presents.

16 – Drive through town looking at Christmas lights with our Wendy’s Jr. Frosty desserts.

17 – Finish shopping for stocking stuffers.

18 – Wrap stocking stuffers.

19 – Bake Christmas cookies.

20 – Bake Christmas goodies.

21 – Wrap Christmas goodies for delivery.

22 – Deliver Christmas goodies to neighbors.

23 – Attend Bethlehem Revisited – a reenactment of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth.

24 – Distribute the “Reindeer food” in our front yard.

25 – Read the Christmas story and celebrate the birth of Jesus, my Savior.

With a list of only one item per day, I am excited at crossing these items off my Christmas list. As some of these items occur multiple times, our family can adjust this list as needed. Now, I shouldn’t forget to mail the packages or send the goodies to school. 😉

As you prepare for the holiday season, consider writing down your Christmas list. With one item per day, you can accomplish your list leading to 25 Days ‘til Christmas. Happy planning and deciding!

Question: What’s on your 25 Days ‘til Christmas list?