Christmas Celebrations in the QCA

We really didn't do much around town this Christmas season. We did get out a few evenings but that was the extend of our local stops. 

We got together with the family (minus Deb, who was in Hawaii) for my birthday. I always love Spinners, so that is where we ended up.

One evening all 4 of the kids were finally home at the same time and able to decorate their gingerbread houses (they were actually oreo cookie houses...)

On Christmas day, my parents came over for dinner and games. We had a delicious ham (compliments of my boss), garlic roasted potatoes and rolls. Simple, but very yummy! 

Next up was Guesstures - This ended up being pretty fun with everyone. Some of us are definitely better at charades than others, haha!

We ended our night with S'mores! Yummmm!

On the day after Christmas, we spent a few hours at my parents house. We had planned to be there for most of the day but my sister and her family were under the weather so it was a very quiet get together with just us and my parents. We ate dinner and exchanged gifts. We are hoping to spend more time together in the new year so the kids can perform the nativity pageant for us all.

Mom & Dad's Stocking holder - what started with 6 has grown to 25!

We drove around Moline one evening, looking at lights. We got out and walked down Maple Lane - we love that the neighborhood has embraced the holiday spirit!

Christmas Day 2021

Christmas Morning! Always a fun one!

I was the first one up, around 7:30. By 8:00, I had the egg casserole in the oven and was ready to get the kids up. Instead though, I sat on the couch and enjoyed the quiet of the morning - gazing at the tree and the beauty of the memories that decorated the tree. 

Around 8:30, Will woke up and quickly woke up the girls, followed by Matt. 

Matt's ready to go with the garbage bag! Already half full from the Christmas Eve presents.

Once everyone was up, I had everyone empty their stockings. 

When it comes to wrapping gifts and placing them under the tree...I try to make the gifts a bit of a mystery. I don't use "name" tags - I have designated gifts for each kid by using numbers, bows, wrapping paper, etc. I try to make it fun (for myself at least!). (I tell my kids that I had to suffer through it growing up...they have to as well!)

This year, I used the fun idea of a raffle ticket. A friend used this idea last year and I made a mental note to find some raffle tickets for this Christmas. I got lucky and found some at the Dollar Tree!

My friend places the raffle ticket on the present and then places the corresponding ticket in the kid's stocking. I was going to do that...until I thought of this idea.

Here is an example of the raffle ticket on one of the gifts - 

I used scraps of wrapping paper to make tiny envelopes, then placed the corresponding tickets (with the name of the recipient on the back of the ticket) in the envelopes then sealed, hole punched and placed a tree hook in them. 

I hid all 27 envelopes in the tree on Christmas Eve, after everyone was in bed. Six for each kid and 3 for Matt.

After everyone had emptied their stockings, I had Matt find the first envelope. He opened it and found that the raffle ticket had Will's name on the back. He handed the ticket to Will, who then had the task of finding his gift under the tree.

After Will found/opened his gift, he found the next envelope. It was for Alex - here she is after opening her first gift (crocs) and finding the next envelope (happened to be for Matt).

He was so excited!!

The excitement quickly faded as he struggled to locate his gift. (We are all dying of laughter at this point).

He enlisted the kids to help him find his gift...

At this time, I had a lightbulb moment...I had placed a few packages under the front porch tree! Oops!!

The next few rounds included everyone but Maddie.

Alex opening her smart watch.

Then finally...IT WAS MADDIE'S TURN!!!!

She found her gift and opened her box with some face masks and make up stuff.

And so it went - for 2 hours! 

Alex showing off her makeup & face stuff

Will - looking for his next gift

Around this time, the kids brought me one of their gifts. How does my "surprised look" look? The kids purchased the 2 sets of plates I wanted from Corelle!

Now it was Matt's turn, from the kids. He loves getting gift cards for food since he is usually on the road for meals. His name tag said "To Weirdo".

Maddie had an IOU list to us - the debt is officially wiped clean!

I saved this box from the recycle bin one day at work - I knew that it would come in handy for wrapping something (as a decoy). I think everyone wished it was their gift!

This little box was in the long box, hahahaha! 

Maddie got an instant print camera - she's been wanting one of these for a few years. 

Another gift from the kids - these were wrapped in a box, but then individually wrapped. Hilarious!

As more packages were opened, it got easier to match up the tickets...but harder to locate the hidden envelopes!

I made this mousepad for Matt's office - he said he really needed one if I came across one at Goodwill or the dollar store. I put in a picture from each of the kids' 8th grade trip with him. The kids paid for it and gave it to him.

Matt surprised me with this beautiful ring!

There was a randomness to the whole morning. One person could've opened all of their gifts in a row, while another person didn't get to open one for 10 rounds. It ended up being pretty fair though (minus Maddie having to wait until the 6th round to open her first gift). It took over 2 hours. It was fun, frustrating and very memorable. 

I think we will be doing this again next year!

After breakfast (egg casserole and monkey bread), Matt sat down with his new record player and the Children's Bible (on record) that he purchased last year (he had the same one as a child).

A beautiful weekend of celebrating our Savior's birth and celebrating family!