We started a tradition about 6 years ago where we hide the children's stockings outside in a favorite spot. We write a poem that gives a clue and then the children go and find their stocking. Once all the stockings have been found, they can look inside. The last two Christmases, we were in Canada but we continued the tradition ... indoors.
This year, Ariana's stocking was in the homeschool room, Joel's was on the top of an old cistern where the kids play, Kalia's was up in a mango tree, Nadia's was under the computer (since she loves watching a video while I do language study) and Sonia's was in her bed (for lack of a better spot).
The kids also did a gift exchange with each other and it is neat to see them become creative with their giving. Kalia sewed her first project and made a rag quilt purse for Ariana (with some help from me) while Joel made Kalia a wooden bunkbed for her playmobile people.
We also did a gift exchange with the Schwenks and we managed to find something to give to everyone (even without a store to shop at!) Obviously gift giving is still a valued tradition but it does take a little more creativity and time in this context (and a lot less money!)
Andrea Williamson shared an edible rice krispie cake wreath with us at our Christmas party. A very pretty way of serving a familiar snack.
I made pillowcases for each of the kids and stuffed them into the stockings that I sewed 5 days before Christmas. There were a few goodies inside as well. Rolf made Ariana a dollhouse that needs to be completed and decorated. He made Kalia a barn for her horses which also needs to be completed, Joel got some of Rolf's G.I. Joe's, Nadia got a walking stick carved by Rolf and I sewed a dress for her doll and Sonia got her first doll.
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