Langreck: The reason for the season

I feel lately that most of my blogs have started the same way, “2020 has been a rough year for almost everybody because of COVID-19,” but I’m trying to keep a positive attitude and I’m trying to do that in my blogs, as well.

Right now, I am also trying to do that with my kids by teaching them that Christmas is not just about getting presents and enjoying all the festivities the season brings. One of the ways I am doing that is by reading my kids books about the nativity story and the birth of baby Jesus.

I read it to them every year, but I just want them to understand there is more to Christmas than making a list of toys for Santa Clause. This year, I really want them to understand that giving presents is more important than receiving them.

When I was younger, my parents would take my siblings and me to the Dollar Tree to pick out presents for each other and our grandparents, so we could give them our own gifts.

I’ve done that in the past with my kids, but I decided this year it would be better if the kids made their own presents to give. One of the hardest parts was trying to figure out what each kid should make — or, more precisely, what they wanted to make.

Five of our six kids have figured out what they want to make and give, and most have started. In fact, one has already finished, and I have helped her wrap them.

The gifts range from sun-catchers to painted rocks and hand-drawn pictures that I am going to help put in dollar-store frames, so they look “fancy,” as my daughter says.

It has been a lot of work helping them figure out what to make and assist them with their projects, but I have enjoyed every minute of the time I have gotten to spend with them. I am also looking forward to seeing the reactions on their faces when they hand out their presents to their siblings and other family.