The Family Gift Guide
Here we go, friend. I'm not a big gift guide person but when I'm shopping for Christmas, I'm always thinking about things we can get for our whole family versus individuals unless there are specific needs: socks, undies... you know the basics. So I've rounded up some things I think are great big gifts for everyone so you can enjoy some quality time together!
ONE: Board games, card games, anything fun to play together. We love 5 Second Rule game the most but also Headbanz is a keep with the range in ages for our kids.
TWO: A foosball table would be so fun to add extra entertainment and create family competitions. Andrew, Drake and Eme are so competitive so they'd love that.
THREE: Record player and favorite vinyls. We just got our record player this last week and went to Goodwill today to sift through what we could find. I need to get a greatest hits album of Johnny Cash and Creedence Clearwater but it will be fun over the years to build this collection.
FOUR: Puzzles. Can't go wrong with any puzzles. Shop small with Pink Antlers, here.
FIVE: An air hockey table or tennis table would be great to keep the games going like a foosball table. Friendly challenges and great for when you want to host and entertain. I know if we had one, all the adults and cousins would be crowded around.
SIX: We got our Beast trampoline last year and freaking love it. If your family doesn't have one yet, this is a great idea for everyone to enjoy. Not only for jumping but family movie nights or cuddling up with blankets and hot cocoa just chatting.
Christmas Cards with Minted
It's the most wonderful time of the year! You know my second favorite holiday followed by Easter is Christmas so when it comes to getting our cards ordering and happy mail along to people we love, I jump on it before the madness of shipping and the postage hits. We used Minted for our cards again this year, making that 7 years in a row and as usual, they're just beautiful! They always have such a range of options and having just gotten our family pictures back, I picked simple and clean with a reminder of why were celebrate: Jesus.
If you're shopping your Christmas cards, use my code for an extra $10 off your order of $100+. It can be combined with the online site promotion making this is the best deal of the season! The code is AUBREYCARDS and valid November 8 - 15th, 2021. I always choose minted for the beautiful gold foil options they have, return address printing and customized addressing for me when I upload my spreadsheet. It gives me an easy button for shopping and checking them off my list.
A fun little hack to make your cards extra festive is incorporating your own scent with them using essential oils! Grab a gallon size ziplock bag and put all your Christmas cards inside. Then grab 2-3 cotton balls and add 3-5 drops on each of your favorite oil that reminds you of the holidays! I love Christmas Spirit for this but others that would be great are: pine, northern lights black spruce, orange, bergamot, balsam fir, peace & calming, vanilla, believe, idado blue spruce or clove.
You get to choose and customize the scent and then when you enclose them in their envelopes, it'll smell like Christmas cheer for the recipient. Allow them to sit in the ziplock 1-2 days before removing and sealing and sending them on their way!
Here are the designs I had at the top of my list when I browsed a few weeks ago before ordering:
family
2021 Family Pictures
They are done! Christmas cards are ordered and I am so darn happy and emotional about these new family pictures. Something came over me this year realizing we have 2 years left with our big guy. He turned 16 last month and while I know he'll always come home there's a whole new realization to him becoming an adult and making a name for himself. He is such a God fearing young man and we really only have the smallest amount of time left with impact and influence on his heart and mind.
Being these kids parents is such a privilege. I never take it for granted God choosing me to parent them and love them. To teach them and mold them. To impress on their hearts the goodness of God and this life we have. Eternity is such a treasure and I get one chance to raise these arrows right and it's a gift and opportunity I am thankful for every single day.
So here I am documenting these family pictures of dear friend, Jenna @jennawilkesphotography, did for us. She has captured our family for so many years and she is a gem always bringing out the best and giving me keepsakes to have years and years to come.
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