We are headed of town tomorrow afternoon, so tonight is our “Christmas Eve” … We stayed up way too late last night assembling an ikea kids kitchen, filling stockings and doing some last minute wrapping. Ah, the holidays…

I’ve tried various approaches to gift giving over the years. With six kids and a small house, I’m all about minimalism. Last year, I came across a twist on the gift strategy we’d been using and I loved it…

+ something you want
+ something you need
+ a surprise

Some of the surprises are little, some more grand, but I liked the fun of trying to come up with something unexpected for each kid.

On Christmas Eve everyone also gets new pajamas and a book.

Every kids gets their own wrapping paper… so no labeling gifts (!!!)
We start Christmas morning with opening stockings on our bed, and in the toe of each stocking is a tiny piece of the wrapping paper for their presents. I love that no one knows whose presents are whose under the tree until they find their paper scrap. Adds just a little more excitement to an already happy day 😉

There you have it… How do you do Christmas gifts at your house?
Would love to hear about it! Happy Christmas friends <3