{Non-Candy} Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Boys

With two boys under 10, I find myself always wondering what to get them for Christmas...between the two of them, they seemingly have possibly everything they could ever need. Stocking stuffers in particular are a challenge because I try not to give them just a butt-load of candy...but instead some small things that the would like/use. Here are some things they'll find in their stockings this year:

{ Marvel Playing Cards / Candy Cane Chapstick / Lego Minifigures / Magic 8 Ball / Whoopee Cushion }

I don't know about you, but my boys have definitely hit that "everything about farts is funny" stage, so when I randomly happened upon some Whoopee Cushions at the store, I knew they'd make perfect stocking stuffers and would be good for a few laughs.

Breckin, in particular, is really good at card games, especially for just being 4. For the last year, he's been playing War, Uno and Go Fish like a pro. I knew he'd love s pack of his own playing cards with his favorite superheroes on them.

They both are always trying to use my chapstick, so I thought I'd get them each their own...and this candy cane one is perfect for the holidays.

I remember having a Magic 8 Ball as a kid and I loved it. I thought Tanner particularly would get a kick out of this toy.

And of course, Legos are a no-fail gift for my boys. They already have TONS of Legos...so I can at least appease them by giving them minifigures {that's their favorite part about Legos anyway!}

What are some stocking stuffers you'd recommend for boys?

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Well...I Was Wrong.

I had to go to Target today after picking up Tanner from school to get some overnight diapers and underjams for the boys. All Tanner could talk about was whether or not he had enough allowance saved up to buy some Legos. (I've been trying to explain to him that Legos are more expensive than most toys and that he will have to save for quite a while to buy some with his allowance.) Anyway, I explain to him that he does not have enough allowance, and it's not a special occasion like his birthday or Christmas, so we won't be getting Legos, we'll just be getting what we need to get and then go home. As you can probably imagine, he's 5, so this did not sit well with him.

So as we walk through the store, he repeatedly asks if we can go in the Lego aisle to just look at them. (He thinks he's so sneaky, I know "just looking" is never enough.) So using my better judgment, I tell him no because I know it's going to make the problem even worse.

As we're finally walking toward the check-out registers, he starts breaking down and whining about how "unfair" it is that he doesn't get any Legos. (Why my child thinks that just because we walk into a store he's entitled to something, I do not know - certainly not something I teach or condone!) Anyway, I stop and tell him that he's acting ridiculous and that none of the other kids in the store are getting Legos just because they're at Target, so why should he be any different? I finally manage to calm him down and we make it to a check-out register...

There was a mom and little boy (who appeared to be a year older than Tanner) in front of us and they had not one, but TWO big sets of Legos. I was in utter disbelief at how random this was. Or maybe the Big Guy just thought it would be fun to mess with me (He routinely finds humor in that). So I try to distract Tanner in hopes that he will not notice - and then tell me how wrong I was. Well, eventually Tanner noticed and his mouth dropped open and his eyes stared wide. I whispered to him, "Maybe it's his birthday. That's why he's getting Legos." Which I TRULY hope is the case!

Luckily, he didn't make a scene and we managed to exit without drama.

But all I could do was look to the sky and think, "Are YOU serious?! Thanks."



Vlog: Playtime!

Just wanted to share a couple of cute playtime videos from the other day when I had some of Tanner's and Breckin's friends over:

'Tis the Season for Giving...

It is November and the holiday season is upon us yet again. A time of loving, laughing, togetherness and of course, giving and receiving. Our children know how to receive things, but do they know how to give?

Tanner is turning 5 this Saturday and I thought this would be a great year to really teach him about giving to those much less fortunate than him. We have always tried to keep Tanner aware of how blessed he is to have so much and that there are so many young children in the world without anything at all. We don't want him to become spoiled or take for granted all he has. But this year I want to do something different with him - I want to really show him what I'm talking about. I'm thinking I may even take him to help serve at a soup kitchen this year. But here is my plan for teaching him how to give to other children less fortunate this season:

Starting this week, and each week until the end of the year, I am going to ask Tanner to pick out something specific of his that he has loved (gently), that he would like to give to another child to enjoy. The week of Christmas, we are going to take all of the items to a local children's charity.

Week 1 (Nov 1-7): A toy
Week 2 (Nov 8-14): A book
Week 3 (Nov 15-21): A blanket
Week 4 (Nov 22-28): A stuffed animal
Week 5 (Nov 29-Dec 5): Another toy
Week 6 (Dec 6-Dec 12): Another book
Week 7 (Dec 13-Dec 19): Another blanket
Week 8 (Dec 20-Dec 26): Another stuffed animal

Of course, if he is willing to offer more than just the one item each week, I will let him. But I figured this list was doable and he will get to handpick each item himself.

I encourage you to have your children do the same this year. It is important that we raise our children to be thoughtful and generous towards others. Show them how happy they can make one child just with one small gesture...and also make them realize how truly blessed they really are.

Happy Holidays ♥