There are a lot of challenges that come with being a parent. And when you have five kids there’s even more challenges. While a fun challenge, the Christmas present thing is not easy. With the kids close in age they are already competitive with each other and this adds to the stress of trying to get the right gifts for all the kids.
When I’m getting presents, it’s a constant tally I’m keeping. I got this for Chase so I need an equivalent for Shane. I got this for Reese so I need this equivalent for Alice. At least Bryce is easy this year!
The girls like the same things which does make them much easier than the older boys. For example the girls both like Barbies. So I got them each two Barbies and a joint gift of a Barbie play set. But the boys have different interests so the tally starts. Ok found a big gift for chase, now need one for Shane. Little gift for Shane, now need one for Chase.
Then you have to sneak the gifts into the house and somewhere the kids won’t find. And remember where all the gifts are when it comes time to wrap them and then get them to put out for Christmas.
Next comes wrapping the presents. I will admit that I am awful at gift wrapping and it’s a struggle to make it not look like a five year old just wrapped everyone’s presents.
I try to balance gifts from Mommy and Daddy with gifts from Santa. I even change my “font” on the gift tags in case the kids really pay that much attention to that detail, which I’m sure they don’t.
Then comes the sneak downstairs on Christmas Eve, going into stealth ninja mode to get all the presents under the tree. Trying to carry up noisy bags abs boxes while everyone sleeps is not easy.
And we can’t forget to leave out milk and a snack for Santa. So we have to remember to empty out the milk (since it’s usually been out a bit before we get to it!) and then bite into the cookies to pretend Santa actually came by.
Despite all this sneaky and hard work I love playing Santa for my kids and love the magic they believe in. Being a parent is the best gift and there’s nothing better than seeing their joy on Christmas Day.
#MerryChristmas #ChristmasEve #Santa #wrappingpresents #presents #gifts #hidingpresents #believeinSanta #themagicoftheholidays #momoffive #MerryChristmastoall #andtoallagoodnight
