Day 11: One Step To Simplification!

I don't know about you, but every Christmas I think to myself:

"This year I am going to simplify!"

And every Christmas morning I wake up, watch my children open their presents and think:

"Ugh.  I didn't simplify quite enough again!"

I have a Christmas system:

1. From Santa, our kids get three gifts each (symbolizing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh).  They always get a clothing item, a book, and a toy (or now that they are older something else that they have been wanting).
2. Stockings are always filled with practical things that they will need throughout the year anyway (deodorant, shavers, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc).
3. Dad and Mom always give the kids pajamas.
4. The siblings give smaller gifts to one another or go in together on something a little more expensive.

On Christmas morning, Santa sends the kids on a treasure hunt.  Throughout the treasure hunt Santa tells them the Christmas story and has them do a short activity before opening each gift (sing a Christmas carol, watch a movie of Christ's birth etc.)

However, even with my "system" it still seems like we end up with a lot of gifts once Christmas morning comes around.  I don't know how it happens, but it does.

This year we have no choice.  We absolutely MUST simplify!

Fortunately, there is one common gift that each of my kids have asked for:   

For Albina, Alina & Maks to join our family.  

And that is the gift that we will be focusing on.  Which means that we are aiming to give each other more service gifts this year instead of gifts that cost a lot of money.  It means that each of my kids must sacrifice a little more than they are accustomed.

YAY for awesome kids that are willing to give up stuff so that other children might have a better future.  This is bound to be one of the best Christmases EVER!

So, what is the gift to our orphans today?

On the eleventh day of Christmas, our orphans need from you:
 

1 RETURNED PRESENT

You've heard stories of people sacrificing one of their gifts (just ONE) so that someone else can have something for Christmas.  That's what we're asking you to consider doing today.  Is there something you can either return or scratch off your list of items to purchase?  Then you can donate the money for that gift to our adoption fund and contribute to Albina, Alina and Maks' Christmas wish: to join a forever family!

Just think about it.  You won't have to wake up Christmas morning realizing you didn't simplify yet again.  Instead, you can wake up and realize that you have enough, AND you've helped a less fortunate child have a memorable Christmas as well!

PS  Don't forget that donating the equivalent of 1 GIFT right now is actually like donating 2 GIFTS.  Thanks to our BOGO II, your contribution is doubled!  So far we've collected $859, and we can get up to $1500 doubled by December 15.  Go, go, go BOGO!!! 

Many Thanks!