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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanks Giving! Simplify Your Shopping!

Thanksgiving is here!
The turkey is ready to go in the oven.....
Our family will gather soon!
Black Friday is tomorrow....and I WON'T be out there!
Why?

We have a wonderful tradition in our family that simplifies gift giving....

The adult brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews know what they want and they buy it...so finding the right gift is always a challenge!
But....giving gifts is fun and sharing is what the season is about!

Sooo....a couple of years ago we decided that our extended family would Adopt a Family (actually 2 families)through our county outreach program!
Now....we still get to shop and buy and give...
In November we receive the names and ages of the kids and adults in the families.  

There are 2 "gift requests/suggestions" for each child.  The adults indicate preferred store for a gift certificate!

Imagine....somebody else makes the list!!!!

Everybody picks the gifts they want to buy.....
The people from far away send checks....no shipping required!

 We tuck in lots of little stocking stuffers....
I still get to wrap gifts....and use some pretty bows!


 



We haul the "Santa Sacks" off to the drop-off on December 15th....

Happily Done!

I cannot tell you how this has "de-stressed" the whole shopping craziness....to actually know what to buy....
and...
best of all, know that the gifts are needed and will be well appreciated!

Now....the only shopping we need to do is for immediate family members!

Now THAT is Sweetwater Style!




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7 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 24, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Wonderful post! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MimiNovember 25, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Thank you for your dear post! This is such a wonderful thing to do for others. Now that my kids are in their 20's we have talked about how to destress Christmas. You have given me much needed inspiration. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tiffany KovaleskiNovember 26, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    I do agree Aunt Mary! This has given me the chance to show Tallulah (4 years old) of how other little boys and girls need toys. I love walking into Toys R Us and having her help me find the toys and not letting her pick out any for herself, she understands and it brings joy to me that hopefully she won't be "that spoiled little girl" and not to mention making another child's Christmas that much brighter! Thanks for your organization and effort in Adopt a Family for our Family Mary!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rose Garden MalevikNovember 26, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Lovley Post :)
    and do not miss,,,,

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    A
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    R
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    A
    Y


    S
    H
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    It is fun :)
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

    ReplyDelete
  5. CacheymamaNovember 27, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Thanks for linking up to Thinky Linky Thursday! I love your idea!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cathy @My 1929 CharmerNovember 27, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    This is such a sweet post, but better yet shows how sweet you and your family are. Helping two families. Have you ever been able to meet them. You Sweetwaters definitely have great style. Thanks so much for sharing at Sunday's Best.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tara @ Tales of a Trophy WifeDecember 3, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    I think this is a great idea. I tried to do something similar w/ my siblings, but they just wanted to do a gift exchange.

    ReplyDelete

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