Introducing the W6 Christmas Shop!
I’m so excited to get to share with you this big surprise! The kids have been working hard for weeks now and everything is finally ready! Today we are launching our very own Wallace Kids Christmas Shop!
When it comes to the holidays we believe there is nothing more joyful than to get to give to others. But pretty quickly into our parenting journey we realized that for us to hand over things for the kids to give robs them of the deeper joys.
For the past three years we have helped our kids work in order to earn money to get to give to others. We think that it’s important to teach our children that money doesn’t just show up out of nowhere. We want to teach them how to be creative and how to work hard with their own hands.
The first year we did this we made stamped necklaces and wooden boxes. (and I officially cannot find those photos!!!) We taught them how to stamp the letters into the silver necklaces, how to cut wood and how to hammer the nails in to make a box.
Year #2 we made painted wood signs…
They learned how to paint in the lines and the patience of waiting for each layer to dry! 🙂
And this year we have decided to learn to crochet, knit, and make poms and tassels. Every child has done at least something to make each and every item come into reality. We began by going to the store to pick out the yarn. We all decided neutral Christmas colors would be best…with the addition of some pink (for the girls!).
We then split up the work based on who was interested in which task. Kate began knitting with a loom. She learned to make hats in her Skills For Living class this year in middle school so she was anxious to get to give it a try here at home.
Corban was interested in the tassels and blankets. He has an eye for making this exact and really enjoyed getting to see each new little item be completed. He loves to work with his hands and create.
Kai loves to hammer anything! So we had him making our stamped leather tags that go on each and every piece. The kids loved the W6 logo we made and were checking the mail every single day to see if the stamp had come in yet!
Even Cosette wanted to get in on the fun!
Every year we talk through what the money they earn will go toward. We feel it is important to have in all of our minds exactly WHY we are working so hard.
- Tithe: First, we will help the kids set aside money to give back to God. This teaches them who everything belongs to anyway. We want to remember what Christmas truly is about, Jesus, the Son of God, entering into human history for our sake. We want to give honor where it belongs and use our work and our money for His glory.
2. Teachers/Instructors: The kids will be earning money to buy gifts for their teachers as well as Kate’s ballet instructors. They love to give gifts and especially enjoy thinking through what each person would really like to receive. We love to listen in to their conversations while they work…”oh, I think my teacher would like a….” So sweet to see them thinking of others instead of just building their own wish lists.
3. Each other: We will give them a set amount from their earnings to get to draw one siblings name from a hat. They will play “secret Santa” and shop for that one person in the family. This is probably the most fun we have all year getting to watch them process through what the *other* person would like instead of giving in to the temptation to buy something for them that THEY want. 🙂 And what’s interesting is that some of their most treasured, most remembered, gifts they have received throughout the years have been the ones their sibling has picked out for them.
4. Homeless in San Antonio: This one was completely their idea and I’m so proud of them! Since moving here the kids have noticed people on the side of the road asking for money. Every time we pass someone they ask if we can give them something. Rather than handing out cash we have decided to make winter gift bags to have ready and prepped in the car to be able to hand out at any time when we are driving. Each bag will contain a Merry Christmas card, bottled water, a Starbucks gift card, various snacks (granola bars, nuts etc..), gloves and socks. My sister suggested we go as a family to visit a local shelter to ask them what else we can give that they feel would be truly helpful. And I love that idea!
So if you’re wanting to support my sweet kids in their efforts to work hard and earn some money this Christmas season head on over to my new shop to check out what they have made! XOXO
