Toby's Christmas Box: Year 2

As I wrote last year, we started the tradition of giving Toby a "Christmas Box" the first of December. (Don't remember last year's post? Click here.)

Monday, December 1st, after bringing Toby to Barnes & Noble to hear a reading of "The Grinch" we gave him his Christmas box which was packed with Yuletide goodies. True to the promise I made last year, I saved $1 every week and didn't spend more than that on the contents of his box. [We actually had a little bit left over- which will start off next year's fund!]

The items include (from left to right)

1. Sandra Boynton's "Bob" book. Super super super cute.

2. Rudolph coloring book

3. Rudolph keepsake ornament that he BEGGED for.

4. His "Story a Day Until Christmas" came back out of storage and it goes in his Christmas box because we start reading one story out of it per night.

5-7. Two pairs of Christmas pajamas and the next size up in his GAP slippers. (This is now our 3rd pair of these slippers. We are in size large... GAP only sells them to XL.)

8. Chocolate Advent Calendar. We were able to find the exact same calendar as last year!

9. 3 packets of hot cocoa for the Christmas Parade

10. Chocolate covered marshmallow reindeer. The kid loves these.

11. A new Christmas plate

12-13. Two Christmas movies: Frozen and Curious George's A Very Monkey Christmas

14. Popcorn for the movies

We lit the tree and put some Christmas music on

 While at Barnes & Noble earlier Aaron picked up a giant rice krispie treat for us to share with eggnog, of course. (I'm actually doing a cleanse, so I didn't eat it) :(

 

 After we were done opening his box, we did Day 1 of our other Advent calendar. Our kid is going to get cavities every December!

 We read the first story in our "Story a Day Until Christmas"

And finally it was time for new jammies and bed! He loves having a Christmas tree in his room.

I'm really glad we started this tradition. I'm super grateful that Toby is so appreciative of the things we do for him. He kept giving us kisses and hugs after each item he took out of the box. Children reinvent the holiday season and bring back such a sense of nostalgia. I love seeing Christmas through his eyes. We have many things planned for him this month. While we fully intend on spoiling him, we also want him to learn what the spirit of Christmas is truly about.