There Is No Better Gift Than To Give

There is no better gift, than to give!

I am so, so fortunate to be able to partner with Marshall’s, TJ Maxx & HomeGoods in a special campaign this holiday season. In fact, this is the best post I’ve gotten to write all year long!!

It’s not about my house, decorating or myself, but about paying it forward and finding the

Nothing feels as good as giving.

We give all throughout the year… but there is something especially wonderful about giving at Christmas. I can’t help but feel the most important people during the holidays, are the little people. Children.

Children that believe in the magic of Christmas and the fat, jolly guy I love so much, SANTA!

We knew just the family that could use help getting some gifts under the tree this year. A family with 6 children.

With Marshall’s, TJ Maxx and HomeGoods to choose from, my husband and I felt confident we could find just the right thing for each of the children on our special list.

We had the terrific task of shopping for two boys and four girls.

Girls. I got to shop for girls!!

So I got my Frozen on.

It. Was. So. Fun.

We got all Princess Elsa & Anna dress-up sets, the older will get the book (we thought she could read to the littler girls), the middle girl is getting the triple 3 puzzle pack… and we went to HomeGoods for a second gift for the littlest. Where I found the microphone! We were thinking they could put on shows lip syncing or signing along with the micro phone.

… I may or may not have “tested” the microphone to make sure it worked 3 7 times. Happy to report it works AWESOME!

Oh, and don’t get me wrong, I love little boys too.

I even have one I really like, lol, but shopping for girls was a special perk 🙂

My husband was instrumental for helping pick out boy stuff. Doing things like checking to make sure the remote control cars were on different frequencies so they’ed both work properly at the same time and suggesting the same vehicle in two different colors so neither would get the “better” car. It’s been years since I bought remote control cars… I had completely forgotten about the frequency thing!

We settled on remote control monster trucks and a set of walkie-talkies. I hope they like them!! (fyi: we got the cars at Marshall’s in case you are looking from something similar.)

For the baby… we bought the Rudolph silkie-blankie rattle. It’s says “Babies First Christmas”. I know babies love silky fabric and find it soothing, plus it is sooooo cute. (I also don’t have any babies to buy for.) I bought a little ahead on age with the other two gifts. I thought about clothes, but didn’t know the size?

Next, we had to get it all gift-giving-ready.

My parents are here visiting for the Christmas holiday, and my mom and I wrapped all the kids gifts and delivered them yesterday! I happened to have some purple and silver gift wrap so we used that for all the girls gifts. It worked out perfectly since it was the Frozen style color scheme! Lucky coincidence.

As the afternoon started to slip away, I was losing the light. It was getting close to delivery time, so I hurriedly snapped a few quick pictures before we bagged everything up and ran it out so it could get to the family.

I love the vintage vibe Santa paper in the red, white and black. The cutest associate at Marshall’s saw me looking at it and stopped to tell me she had picked up a roll the night before, and how nice it was with a embossed texture and good weight for wrapping. I said “SOLD!” and slipped it in my cart. Worked out perfect, because we used it and made that gift from the big guy, for the boys to share. (it’s the walkie-talkie set.) That was my smart mama’s idea!!

While the weather the day of our shopping expedition was some of the worst we have seen in a long, long time… with roads closing, flooding and land slides, (not even exaggerating!!) we made the several hour round trip safely. Whew. I was a little nervous, but we got it all done and delivered in time for the big day!!

Anyhow. The shopping was hard {wink-wink} but I stayed on task. The stores were still full of some gorgeous Christmas decor… pillows (my downfall!), handbags, and tons of home decor!!!! Oh and lots of gourmet coffee, food and kitchen-y cool stuff. I was a good girl and stayed the course, with my brain switched into “gift mode”.

After the kids were all taken care of, I also got some Christmas coffee flavors to make a basket with to take down to the Police Station (I’m still working on that) and I couldn’t resist the Nicole Miller faux fur wrap for a bottle of Champagne for my Mother In Law!

Oh my goodness, it is so sumptuous.

I bagged it, and it really is so pretty… this girl who doesn’t even drink wants one!!

It’s lined in luxe satin too. Super posh.

I have to tell you, shopping for, wrapping and GIVING all this is just the kind of Christmas magic that feeds my soul! I know some people struggle with Christmas shopping due to the expenses involved. I know a few friends that use the site PromoCodeWatch.com to help them save money. If you’re having to the budget this Christmas, It may be worthwhile to check out the sight. As this way everyone will get the presents they wished for. I only wish I could see the little ones faces, and maybe get a chorus or two of “Let It Go”.

Merry, Merry Christmas to you all!!!!

from “Santa’s secret helpers” Shannon & Jim

I’ve got something for you too! A chance to win a $50 gift card! Good at Marshalls, T.J.Maxx or Homegoods.

Just share a tweet showing or telling about your favorite personal T.J.Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods holiday gift find using the hashtag #bestgiftever AND #foxhollowcotttage (so I can track and find it!)

Or simply enter in the rafflecoptor widget below:

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Thanks again to Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods for putting together this fantastic #bestgiftever event and letting me join in!! I am thankful to be involved and thrilled to pay it forward!!

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