A Lightbulb Moment!

I had an idea!

Light bulbs exploded! Sirens rang! Applauding erupted!

I was thinking about the situation…

At Thanksgiving, all of my immediate family will be together at my son’s home. I am not sure we will see two of the families around Christmas, so we’ll be celebrating Christmas, too.

I didn’t want to navigate flying with eight people’s presents. Even though we don’t do a lot, multiplied by eight creates a pile, no matter how you look at it. I sent the presents to my son’s house.

Here was my dilemma …

I don’t want to spend a whole day there wrapping presents and be separated from my family!!

(Even though, I love wrapping.)

Could I give them unwrapped? No! No I can’t!

Presentation is half the gift. Thanks Mom!

There is something so special to me to see wide eyes as they rip open paper and bows. It’s half the joy! And I think, speaks to love and care for the person. It’s okay if you don’t agree. If it’s special enough to give, I should take care in presenting it. Totally, standards I impose on myself, but don’t require of others. It’s just my thing. (You do you!)

So, not wrapping is against my gift giving creed😁

So, how am I going to wrap? First question. Second question: How long will 8, 4- and 2-year-olds want to watch other people open presents and wait to open theirs?

So many questions needing answers.

That’s when my idea surfaced.

What if I purchased a “Santa” bag for each person?

What if I used tissue inside to fold over each present and put all their presents in one fabric bag?

The longer I thought about it and consulted with my daughter. The more it seemed like the solution!

I looked at the measurements of their gifts and decided how big the bags needed to be: ending up with a few different sizes and patterns.

Searching Etsy I found a store selling Christmas fabric bags in motifs I liked and made the order. Below are the patterns I chose. CreativeJuicesfromR is a stellar seller and I am very happy with the products.

Rachael, at Creative Juices from R, has been so kind to offer you, my friends, a special promo code from her shop! You’ll get 20% off today thru Thanksgiving Day on $35 or more with the code ELAINESFRIEND.

Guess what??

My idea is trending!!

A few weeks ago, I was in Marshall’s amid their Christmas packaging and there they were … drawstring fabric bags aplenty!!

I don’t recall seeing them in years past. I remember the huge Santa bags monogrammed several places, but these had many Christmas scenes and sizes. The fabric was bulkier, a thick burlap kind of fabric.

Then I found a plethora on Amazon!

I really think my Etsy flannel bags end up being about the same price and a larger variety of patterns and sizes. It will take up less storage because of the thinner material. Plus, I like supporting small businesses.

A ribbon will be tied to the closed drawstring. I’m making wooden name tags for each bag.

I’ll let you know how it all turns out! I think it will work!

I envision my husband and I passing out all eight bags, like Santa, and then letting them all dig into their bags. Tossing tissue and finding the taped tissue packages inside. Followed by a few squeals and fun times!

The Joy of Giving!

I know I could use big paper gift bags, but I liked the idea of tying them shut. If any little munchkins find the stash! Plus, they are reusable and easier to store than paper.

Honestly, paper gift bags overwhelm me. I feel bad tossing them, especially when they look new. So, I keep them, but they seem to consume my storage space. Despite my recycle efforts, they never seem to be the size I need. I’ll have a birthday one in the right size, but I need a baby shower one😬 That’s how it seems to be for me.

Maybe this isn’t a novel idea.

Maybe it’s not even a trend.

It does solve my holiday dilemma.

A new twist. More family time. Less wrapping time. Some “Santa” bag fun!

Win. Win. Win. Win!!

I’ll give you an update after Thanksgiving!!

Have you had an idea or holiday twist?

We’d love to hear about it!

You heard it here😂,

Share it for us, please.

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