• Home
  • About
    • Our Family
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Christmas Letters
    • Other FAQ’s
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Flanders Family Homelife

Living, Loving, & Learning Together

  • Home
  • Love
    • Respect your Husband
    • Love your Wife
    • Keep the Peace
    • Get Along with In-laws
    • Find Time for Intimacy
    • More on Marriage
  • Learn
    • Why Home School?
    • Occupying Toddlers
    • Kindergarten Plan
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Report Cards
    • High School Transcripts
    • CLEP/ Dual Credit
    • High School Diplomas
  • Parent
    • Tips on Potty Training
    • Wipe Out Whining
    • Stop Sibling Squabbles
    • Chore Assignments
    • Computer TIme
    • Adult Children at Home
  • Eat
    • Breakfasts
    • Breads
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Main DIshes
    • Desserts
  • Celebrate
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • Summer Vacation
    • Independence Day
    • Back to School
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Save
    • Kids Eat Free
    • Budgeting Tips
    • Secrets to Garage Saling Success
    • Earn Cash Back w/Ebates
  • Read
    • Recent Reads
    • Books We’ve Authored
    • Reading Rewards
    • Free Books!!
  • Travel
    • Vacation Planning
    • We Flew FREE to Europe
    • Sample Itineraries
  • Organize
    • General Tips
    • Goal Setting
    • Mom’s Notebook
    • Kitchen
    • Bedrooms
    • Toys
    • Garage
  • Print
    • Calendars
    • Chore Charts
    • Coloring Pages
    • Math Drills
    • Prayer Guides
    • View All >
You are here: Home / Holidays / Christmas / Large Family Gift Giving

in Christmas· Holidays· Mailbag

Large Family Gift Giving

My inbox is backed up, so I’ve been using Mondays to respond to readers’ questions. This week, my Mailbag Monday column deals with large family gift giving. Keep reading to see how our family handles this important tradition at Christmas time.

Monday Mailbag Q&A

Question:

Hi, Jennifer.

What do you all do for presents with such a large family for Christmas? I find that I love giving gifts and want to encourage my kids to give, as well. But sometimes it becomes a burden. I thought you might be able to shed insight.

Sue

Answer

Hi, Sue.

When people count our kids, they assume Christmases at our house must be crazy and chaotic. They envision gifts stacked to the ceiling all around our tree. Wish lists as long as our arms.

They might be disappointed (or maybe relieved!) to see how small scale our gift giving really is.

Large Family Christmas: What do you do about gifts?

I feel the same way you do about wanting to encourage giving. But I, too, would get a little overwhelmed coordinating gifts for so many. And having to find homes for all those gifts once the holidays are over? That would compound the stress exponentially. We’ve maxed out our limited storage space, as it is.

That’s why, for well over a decade now, I’ve taken a minimalist approach to family gifting.

How it Works:

I fill a stocking for each child and put a single family gift under the tree that everybody shares. Every stocking is different. I fill each one with small trinkets chosen especially for that child.

Large Family Christmas: What do you do about gifts?

The boys might get a T-shirt or a small toy in their stocking, the girls a pair of earrings or a new doll. But most of the contents are consumable: Favorite food items. Gift certificates for a free smoothie or ice cream cone. Band-Aids, Scotch tape. Stationery. Or toiletries that will (eventually) get used up and tossed.

That spares me having to find long-term extra storage space for lots of bulky items — a plus when three kids share one closet.

Large Family Christmas: What do you do about gifts?

As for the family gift, some years I choose a new game. Some years a book we can read aloud. Art supplies are always a big hit. A few years back, it was a slack line — an immensely popular gift that still sees lots of action.

Large Family Christmas: What do you do about gifts?

Our kids also exchange names for “Secret Santa” gifts. They’ve been doing that for seven or eight years now. That ensures everybody has an individual gift to open under the tree, too.

Large Family Christmas: What do you do about gifts?

Additionally, I wrap the same Christmas books we read every year into 25 packages — a literary advent calendar, of sorts. The little ones take turns opening one of those every day throughout the month of December, then we enjoy reading whatever books were in the package together.

This tradition keeps the tree from looking too lonely with only one or two gifts underneath. The younger kids don’t care that they’re opening the same books they opened last year (and the year before and the year before). So it’s a win-win.

Why it works

Several things about our family allow these practices to work well (and make them somewhat necessary):

  • We don’t see many commercials.

    We haven’t had television reception for over twenty years, which means our kids haven’t been constantly bombarded with ads trying to convince them they need the latest and greatest offerings on the toy aisle of the nearest Target or Walmart. That fact alone does wonders for a child’s contentment. We also toss most of the catalogs and circulars that come in the mail before the kids ever see them. The older ones will sometimes spot something they’d like online now, but they also have ways of earning money and usually just save up to buy it themselves.

  • We replace things as needed.

    Part of the reason there were so many gifts around my tree as a child is that my mom was a very savvy shopper and would squirrel things away for Christmas all year long. As Christmas drew near, she’d also take note of any items that my sister and I had worn out or outgrown — socks, underwear, hairbrushes, blue jeans — and wrap up the replacements for us to open Christmas morning, as well.

    I loved that and fully intended to do the same thing with my children, only my husband would beat me to the punch every time. When Christmas rolls around, there is seldom anything that needs replacing or updating, because that gets done just as soon as he notices the need.

    Same goes for sporting goods and technology and bicycles. Doug is an early adopter, and every day with him is like a holiday. There’s no outdoing that fact at Christmas, so I’ve given up even trying.

  • Our kids are really creative.

    Do you know what happens when kids don’t have a lot of toys and stuff crowding for their attention? They learn to make their own fun.

    Leaf tag is loads of fun!

    Most of our children are masters at this, and the fun they find usually doesn’t cost a cent: they’ll rake the leaves into intricate designs then play tag through the maze; they’ll hike through the woods and bring home long poles of bamboo which they’ll use to build a teepee to sleep in; they’ll make amazing works of art out of toilet paper rolls, tin cans, or egg cartons they rescue from the trash (then enter their creations in the fair and win cash premiums for them)!

    Win cash premiums on craft projects in the State Fair

I know a single gift and a stocking may seem like a scant Christmas celebration to a lot of folks, but it works well for our family. It helps keep our focus off what we we’re going to get, and places it more on what we can do. Not just on Christmas morning, but all month long through service projects, letter writing, bell ringing, carol singing, memory making, party hosting, puzzle working, game playing, and all the other fun things our family does together during this most wonderful time of the year.

Don’t forget we’ll be starting our series on “Keeping Christ in Christmas” tomorrow. I hope you’ll join us!

Keeping Christ in Christmas - A blog series to help us focus our hearts on the real reason we celebrate.

Leave a Comment

« Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive Coloring Page
Advent Christmas Chain (Free Printable) »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

meet the parents

Doug & Jennifer Flanders - www.flandersfamily.info

We love Jesus, love each other, love our 12 children, and love the life God's given us. We started this blog as a way to share resources with others who want strong marriages, happy families, & healthy homes.

Read more

looking for something?

freebies in your inbox

Subscribe for immediate access to our library of 350+ free printable resources.

connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

most popular posts this week

  • Number Writing Practice Sheet
  • 2021 Calendars for Advanced Planning
  • Free Printing Practice Sheets
  • Free Editable High School Transcript Template
  • Pretty Printable Scripture Bookmarks
  • I Have a Dream! (Free Printables for MLK Day)
  • Free Chart for Keeping Track of Medications
  • One-Year Bible Reading Plan
  • Armor of God Coloring Page
  • Name that Line Christmas Quiz

unleash your child’s creativity

kiwi crate ad

free starter set

free starter set from Grove

Readers' Favorites

Name that Line - Christmas Movie Game

Name that Line Christmas Quiz

Shares: 22676

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols?

Shares: 26040

Age-Appropriate Children's Chore Chart - IG

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Shares: 92518

Make Every Month More Meaningful

Make Every Month More Memorable

Shares: 50662

start your day right

make over your mornings

If your mornings don't run as smoothly as you'd like, this course can help. Good for night owls & early birds alike!

join the conversation

  • Lois Manning on “Name That Song” Christmas Game
  • Jennifer Flanders on “Name That Song” Christmas Game
  • Lois Manning on “Name That Song” Christmas Game
  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printable Greeting Cards for All Occasions
  • Sharon Caulineau on Free Printable Greeting Cards for All Occasions
  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printable Greeting Cards for All Occasions
  • Jennifer Flanders on Retro Valentines with Bible Verses
  • Jennifer Flanders on How to Write a Thank You Note

earn free books and bibles

Tyndale Rewards Club

This is a great program, and it's FREE! Bonus: when you sign up through this link, you get 25 points (& I get 10 -- so, thanks!).

Christian Family Blogs
  • Home
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Food
  • Fun
  • Freebies

visit jennifer’s blog

Jennifer Flanders' Blog: Loving Life At Home Loving Life at Home

visit doug’s blog

Doug Flanders' Blog: All Truth Is God's Truth All Truth is God's Truth

privacy policy | disclosure statement

shop our books

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife
Sit Down & Eat Get Up & Go

thanks for dropping by

Thank you for visiting our website Let's Get Social
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

looking for something?

recommended resources

as seen on:

America Tonight ABC Australia BBC Tyler Morning Telegraph

These kids helped me put together 25 freezer meals These kids helped me put together 25 freezer meals, so I won’t need to think about dinner again until late February.  I’m grateful to have such enthusiastic and cheerful kitchen helpers. Don’t be fooled by Dan’s tears. 😭 Those were  all the onions’ fault.  #onceamonthcooking #stockthefreezer #hardworkers
Follow the link in my profile to download free pri Follow the link in my profile to download free printables to help you celebrate MLK Day.  #homeschool #freeprintable #unitstudy #mlkday
Darkness cannot drive out darkness... #truth #mlk Darkness cannot drive out darkness...  #truth #mlkday
A parent’s prayers don’t stop when a child gro A parent’s prayers don’t stop when a child grows up and leaves home.  #praywithoutceasing
I got this set of Junior Rainbow Pebbles thinking I got this set of Junior Rainbow Pebbles thinking my grandkids would like them (and they do!). What I didn’t expect was the enthusiasm with which my big kids joined in on the play.  I think that’s just one more benefit of having a large family: The older ones play alongside their younger siblings and thus continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood long after they might otherwise have been abandoned.  Which is a good thing. Both age groups benefit from such interactions.  #largefamilyliving
#siblingplay #rainbowpebbles #timberdoodleblogteam
I’ve published lots of prayer guides on my websi I’ve published lots of prayer guides on my website aimed at praying for your children, whether they be in the womb, very young, teens, or adults. But I hadn’t thought to publish a prayer for parents until a young reader wrote to ask if I offered one. She knew her parents were using my printable while praying for her and wanted to return the favor. Isn’t that precious?  #godanswersprayers #prayforoneanother #praywithoutceasing
We made it all the way to church last week before We made it all the way to church last week before I realized we’d all unintentionally dressed in red, white, and blue. ❤️🤍💙  I love it when we coordinate like that without any forethought. We normally only wear matching clothes when we’re traveling and Mom’s done the packing.  Putting everyone in the same color scheme helps us count heads faster (and makes for prettier vacation photos, too)!  #colorcoordinated #familyphotos #sundayworship
“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, bu “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the forces of darkness”... and the best position from which to wage such a war is not in the streets, but on our knees.  Let the turmoil in our country be, first and foremost, a call to prayer. To reaffirming our faith in God. To loving our neighbors, even when we disagree with them. To standing tenaciously on upon what we KNOW to be true — God’s Word — while expressing our opinions with grace and humility.  “Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me!”  #saltandlight #calltoprayer #lightinthedarkness #standfirm
Big thanks to Ben and Mik for making our snow day Big thanks to Ben and Mik for making our snow day one the kids won’t soon forget.  (Check out my stories to see video of how the spent it.)  #winterwonderland #snowday #familyfun
One of the best time-investments you can make in 2 One of the best time-investments you can make in 2021? Reading through the Bible. This plan will take you through both the Old and New Testaments in 52 weeks. Click on link in profile to download free printable schedule.  #biblereading #oneyearbible #readinggoals #biblestudy #goals

Copyright © 2021 · Market theme by Restored 316