Stories Not Stuff....A Very Merry Christmas Story!

This year for Christmas, I was torn for what to do for my darling kids. We have enough "stuff"...really I think most people do these days.  With college not too far off for my oldest and home, I decided to do something extra special for her and her sister to commemorate this last full calendar year before she heads off to her very own adventure.  But I did it with a special story, and of course, a craft.

So my kiddos are Disney freaks.  Really.  They love love love the magic that Disney creates from parks to movies to music and beyond.  Mia's favorite movie is "Up", as it reminds her of my dad, and the importance of finding and truly living your adventure.  As I thought and thought...and searched for my signature magic, I had an aha moment!

What if under the tree this year there was adventure, instead of the things that are so quickly forgotten?  What if we instead of another "thing" to keep time occupied and away from each other, we decided to give the gift of time instead?  I mean, in 5 or 10 years, who is really going to keep track of trinkets that were wrapped in sparkly paper anyway?

So...I went to work on magic.  I wanted to create an adventure, which means I needed a book to keep track of it all.  THE "Adventure" book from Up was it!  I called my son, the biggest Disney fan of all and he checked the official World of Disney store for such thing.  It didn't exist.  Then I went searching online.  I found a few here and there.  One on Ebay, a few of Etsy.  But they were expensive!  Some nearly $300!  No way will that do for me.

I reached in my magic bag of resources and found a few contacts, visited an art store, found paper and leather twine...and my thought transformed from idea to reality.

Then, I searched out activities we could do that are different from normal things we do.  Museums, special discount passes for a Visit Salt Lake pass, a swim in a crater, a scuba class, a ghost hunt....any thing I could find.  I printed a letter that explained the purpose of our adventure and why their time with me was far more valuable than any shiny, high tech object.  And I know, in years to come, this silly little craft project of mine will bring tears, giggles and wonderful memories about the year I did Christmas very differently.

Happy Holidays, everyone.  May you always find magic and your adventure!

XOXO,

The Redo Redhead