Works for Me Wednesday: Christmas Gift Delivery Night (in our PJ's!)

Our family of four (me, my hubby, and two boys ages 5 and 11) has come up with a fun, inexpensive, and simple holiday tradition that we all look forward to. It takes just a little bit of preparation and one or two weeknights, which we clear ahead of time on our calendar. First, we buy the materials to create a handmade gift in a jar--a spiced cider mix or sand art cookies, for example--for friends, family members and neighbors. After we assemble the gifts (or on a different night), we get on our pajamas, make some hot cocoa to sip on, load up in our van with our presents and drinks, pop in some Christmas music on the CD player, and head out to spread Christmas cheer. At some houses, we find the recipients gone so we leave our gift at the door. Other times, they'll invite us in for a minute, and we get to see their delight at a homemade gift. We love our family Christmas gift delivery night--it's fun to look at all the Christmas lights, listen to seasonal music, and enjoy our friends' company. It helps put all the excess of Christmas in perspective and remember that often, the simple things in life are the most meaningful. (Last year, it even started snowing as we finished our deliveries…and in Texas, that qualifies as a Christmas miracle!)