Now that the holidays have drawn to a close, it’s time to reflect on all the gifts you’ll have to return. For real, it’s like shopping part two {returns edition}. Over here at UR Basic Mom, we spent the end of 2017 gearing up for a new, exciting chapter by adding 10 basic moms to our team of contributors. Yes, you read that right, TEN! Get excited to hear their stories, tips, and tricks each month, starting with this one…
We asked our NEW Basic Moms, what was the BEST gift they GAVE this holiday season?
Krystle from The Beekeeper Blog said her family gifts new ornaments each year, a tradition her husband started, and this year her ornament to him was a cute snowman sitting around a fire which is so fitting for her family because one of her husband and son’s favorite things to do together is to build a fire in their fire pit.
Erin, a SAHM to 3 (plus a corgi) gave the Grandparents updated pictures of her kids and new baby.
Kimberly from Mom in the Go Lane made keepsakes for the grandparents and they loved it. Check out those precious little kids hands. Nothing beats a homemade creation.
Holly shared about her thoughtful gift to her mother, “My great grandmother had a cattle ranch back in the 40s and 50s. Disney filmed a movie across the street and realized they needed a bull for one of the scenes. My great grandfather offered his to be used for filming. The movie was never released on DVD in the US, but I managed to find a new copy from a Canadian vendor and gifted it to my mom so she could watch the scene with her Grandfather’s bull. It was a story she had grown up hearing about and now she could finally see it.”
As you can imagine, there were happy tears on Christmas.
Sara from A Mom and her Momtourage said that Santa only brings one present per child at her house and both children were so excited to get their gifts. “My son got a Beyblades arena and my daughter got a new baby stroller. The joy on their faces was absolutely perfect.”
Claire, from Arizona, was putting the finishing touches on a handmade gift for her sister, who is a Science teacher. “It’s an apron and it’s reversible. She gets a brand new classroom after the break and I know she’d like this to go with it.”
Ebony from Her Life on Purpose said the best gift she gave was Superman Pajamas to her husband, because “he really is our Superman.” As well as giving her time to feed her community Christmas dinner for those who didn’t have a place to go in Missouri.
Jillian, from the Jillian Rosado blog, kept it simple with dinner gift certificates for family members. She said, “It gives people a night out and most likely some much need time to reconnect, without breaking the bank.”
Our basic Mom in Chicago, Jessica, said: “The best gift I gave this holiday was to a wonderful woman named Janette. Janette is someone I found to clean my house twice monthly when I was too pregnant to do it myself. It was my treat to myself. Well, she became so close to us that we kept having her come (I justify it by saying it’s time I could be spending with my boys instead of cleaning toilets!). Janette is a mom of 6. She works incredibly hard and has raised them all to be wonderful people. I gave her a gift certificate for a manicure-pedicure at a local salon. She laughed when she received it because she has never had one before! Now, she’s forced to take time for herself and enjoy!”
Stephanie shares a sentimental gift she gave to her brother. “It was a Hallmark Star Wars Christmas ornament. Each year, Hallmark comes out with collectible ornaments and each year, my mom would buy us each an ornament from the collection. Ever since my mom passed away, I always get my brother his ornament that would’ve been from my mom…so it’s something special we share.”
Chelsea was excited to gift a MyPillow to her husband. “My husband always complains about our pillows, that they’re too fluffy or too flat. I had heard about MyPillow from a few people and decided, what better way to confirm how old we are getting than to buy him a pillow for Christmas. BONUS: It was a two pack and I got one too!”
Julie was happy to gift a few family members marble cutting boards and cheese boards. They came from the Vermont Marble Museum which is located in the town she lives in! Julie says, “It’s always great to shop local!”
It’s clear we love our ornaments, but the meaning of each gift being given is different and enjoyed by all. What was the best gift you GAVE this holiday season?
