Love, Life, & Beyond

We don’t celebrate Christmas as a festival but rather as an occasion to get together with friends and family. As kids who studied in a boarding school, it was the only festival we could celebrate as a family during the winter holidays. There were gifts involved but nothing expensive or elaborate. As we grew older, we continued with decorating a tree whenever we could get together, but gifts were optional.

Our 8 year old son learned about the gifting tradition at Christmas just two years ago. Since we have always celebrated only over a meal with immediate family, gifts for our son were always kept at a minimum. We steered clear of toys, opting instead for thoughtful presents aligned with his interests—like a recipe book, an apron, socks, and books. These he still uses and loves.

This year, however, we are travelling to the land where Christmas fever grips a whole nation and gifts and other sparkly things are the central theme of the holidays. We planned this trip in the busiest (not to mention the most expensive) time of the year mainly because we wanted to see snowfall, and wanted our son to experience Christmas just as he has seen in the movies or heard from his cousins and friends living abroad.

We are hoping that while he enjoys every part of the trip (including the materialistic side of it), he does feel grateful for what he has and realises that spending time with family and friends is the greater gift.

Despite not being naturally inclined toward patient art and craft projects, he diligently worked on creating gifts for everyone, understanding the importance of contributing to the joy under the Christmas tree.

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Here’s a glimpse of the heartfelt creations he’s crafted this year:

• Set of matching bookmarks and fridge magnet
• A mini hand-painted canvas
• Play Doh keychains
• Wooden heart, which he shaped with the help of a friend’s dad
• Sculpture and keychain made with air-dry clay. (see other ways to use clay)
• A picture stand made by gluing coral we had collected and shaping a wire to hold a picture
• Streamer made with paper and foil

We helped him think of ideas by suggesting things he could make and materials he could use. Some things like using a die-cut machine or shaping a piece of wire had to be done by us partially or totally.

They are now all wrapped up and ready for the tree.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with joy, kindness, and love.