I’d be willing to bet that Julie was the one driving the fleet of reindeer that ran over grandma last Christmas.
Last night, from the comfort of my couch, I entered a realm I have avoided with everything in me, a beast I have dared not awaken until now.
That’s right. I visited the American Girl website.
Let me just begin by saying that I have nothing against the American Girl company other than the fact that some of their dolls cost the same amount as my monthly college loan payment. Correction: one of my monthly loan payments as I now have three.
Oh yes ma’am! I got a letter informing me that my third loan — which helped cover what tuition I wasn’t able to pay for by working through grad school — starts repayment this month. The due date? Why, December 25, of course. Nothing like celebrating the day of our Savior’s birth by sending in a three digit payment!
Oh who am I kidding? That Christmas bonus I got from Starlite will take care of it. You do think they accept stale tortilla chips and processed nacho cheese as a form of payment, right?
I was on the American Girl website because, in a few short days, I’m picking up a certain little girl named MacKenzie and bringing her back to Cleveland to spend our first real Christmas together. I’ll get her back to her dad on Christmas Eve, of course, so she and I are celebrating a wee bit early this year.
I haven’t actually shopped for her (or anyone else for that matter) yet this year, but her dad told me on the phone last night that she’s getting an American Girl doll, but none of the accessories that go with it. I, of course, hightailed it to the website to see what accessories I could find for Julie, the doll of choice.
And oh what treasures awaited me.
Did you know that, for the mere price of $75 American dollars, I could purchase wooden bleachers for Julie to lay her pom-poms on? A steal, right?
Um, I’ll TELL you what I’ll be stealing: a piece of plywood so I can carve my own wooden bleachers for Julie, the overpriced jerkette of a doll that MacKenzie will likely drop beneath the train on our next visit to Dollywood.
In other words, I’m headed to Target later this week to start my shopping for MacKenzie. Nothing like waiting ’til the last minute to fight through the carts clogging up the baby doll aisle. Why, the mere thought of it makes me want to stab a fork into my very eyes begin singing various Christmas carols throughout the land.
As you may expect, I find myself needing your advice yet again. I’ve been trying to come up with a plan of everything I want to do with MacKenzie these few days before Christmas. Basically, I’ve been asking myself “What would a mother do with her daughter right before Christmas?” even though I’m certainly not a mother, just the resident Llama Mama.
So far, I’ve come up with a few basics: cookie baking, angel tree giving, etc. What am I missing? What are some of the things you love doing with your daughter or, for those of you still rocking the single status, what are some of your favorite memories of Christmas with your own mother?
And if it involves opening a package of wooden bleachers courtesy of the American Girl store, don’t bother commenting. I’ve already sharpened my knife and am ready to show that piece of wood a thing or two. By the time I’m finished, American Girl will be paying ME to carve their greedy little bleachers for them.
Which I will gladly accept as long as they send their payment directly to one of my three loan companies, preferably the one with the highest interest rate.
Target has a generic American Girl line. Tons of cute stuff. Hair salon, scooter, tea table…All VERY affordable.
We like to string popcorn (stale works best) Make fudge. Put together a gingerbread chapel out of graham crackers. Fold origami ornaments. Caroling & cookies to our neighbors. Cmas Eve we have a bday party for Jesus.
My favorite memories? Kneading bread. Rolling pie dough. Decorating cookies. I used to pile on as many red hots & silver ball thingies as I could onto my Santa cookie. I knew my Mom had to eat it cuz she was Santa. I never figured out that she just threw it away. Smart girl.
Smores! Driving around to look at Christmas lights on homes and buying Daddy a little something.
The only thing I remember doing every year, was going to this one subdivision in my small home town and driving through it to look at the Christmas lights. I did this with the kids I was nanny to in college and plan on continuing the tradition with my niece since I’m still rocking the single boat right along with you! I think you are on the right track with the cookies. I picked up some cute Styrophone Christmas crafts at my local Michael’s to do with the niece this year too. I think they were like $3 or less.
*Going shopping to buy a stocking stuffer for people she loves–like her dad, maybe. Nothing expensive, but maybe his favorite kind of candy bar. My kids love to shop for other people for Christmas, but we gotta keep it affordable! Always set ground rules before you go (under $2.00 or something or else she’ll decide you need to buy a new cell phone or MP3 for her dad and might tantrum when you say you won’t)
*Putting Christmas carols on full volume and singing and dancing around.
*Watching favorite Chrsitmas videos with her (actually sit down and watch too). Too often kids have to watch alone. Make cookies or popcorn and make fun of the older videos together. And ask why all those other reindeer were so mean. And how would you feel if you were Rudolf etc… And isn’t it kind of awful that they only love Rudolf when they find out Rudolf can help them–they never really love Rudolf for himself…
*Decorate sugar cookies. For me, part of my Chrsitmas gift to my kids is cleaning up afterwards without complaining.
*I agree with inexpensive crafts from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Nothing too complicated, but something you can praise her for and proudly display 1 at your place while she has one to bring home.
*I know you mentioned before she tantrums sometimes. Mine did too, and specific groundrules helped. We are going to do this activity and I want it to be fun and a special memory. That means that we will calmly do this, then this, this this. And then we will come home. Once the tantrum statrs, there is litle to do to stop it, it just runs its course. But if you can stop it before it starts…. And anxiety (her not knowing what your plans are and having unrealistic expectations on her part) feuls it.
American Girl stuff is NUTS!!! Someone had me knit hats for the American Girl dolls – they turned out just like the picture. HA! Take that American Girl Pocket Diggers!
You can always have some fun craft project for her to make her daddy a Christmas gift.. she’ll be proud giving him something she made!
Watching ALL the Christmas specials.
- Rudolph (clay-mation version, of course)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Charlie Brown Christmas
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- White Christmas
etc, etc, etc.
And make a gingerbread house together! (Kits are at Michael’s or Wal Mart for $7-$8… don’t try it from scratch, my friend.)
Cutting down a Christmas tree. Even though we had a fake tree, we got to go to the Christmas Tree farm and pick our own mini “live” tree. Some farms give them away as “Charlie Brown Trees” and others only charge $10 or so for the little ones. Then the two of you can string lights and make decorations for it. Woot!
And, finally, Christmas shopping for dad is REALLY important.
I hope y’all have lots of fun. Call me if you need anything. Love you!
Everyone is giving great ideas. Except you sorta have to learn to operate that DVD girl, or it’s no Christmas movies for MacKenzie!
She might enjoy a trip through the mall to look at all the Christmas decorations and a chance to get her picture taken with Santa. (Or maybe not. My daughter was afraid of Santa when she was little.) I’ve rarely seen men standing with their children in the line to see Santa so I think that’s typically something the mom thinks of, so maybe she hasn’t had a chance to do that yet this year.
I am thinking that it is a good thing you did not buy the accessories for Julie because if she got the accessories before the doll, surely it would tip her off on the fact that she would be getting the doll.
There are a lot of good ideas here, and I am sure that MacKenzie will have a few of her own.
How fun!
–Christmas cookies and crafts are a must for a girly Christmas.
–Wrapping lesson–once you complete a craft let her wrap it up for Dad. Coming from a single parent home, I always felt so special to be able to give my Mom a wrapped gift even if it was something I made.
Driving around and looking at the lights is a great idea. Also, making a gingerbread house/tree/train would be a lot of fun. The kits are very affordable and most grocery stores sell them. I hope y’all have a wonderful time together!
Okay first off, excuse my ignorance, but what is ‘angel tree giving’?
The things I most enjoyed as a kid were the crafty things and the cooking things.
So making crepe paper streamer things to hang all over the place, popcorn string and different Christmas decorations etc.
I think it is all about creating the atmosphere as that is what creates excitement.
It would be cool if you could think of something that you two could make for her dad so she could give him a present of some sort that he doesn’t know about? Maybe making some sort of number 1 dad certificate in a frame or something cute and cheesy like that?
Welcome to my own personal nightmere… I hear ya sister!
Kids love to drive around and look at Christmas lights. I pray you have the anointing when you start carving your bleachers.
what a coincidence- my FAVORITE christmas memory ever is carving bleachers with my mom! oh, i kid. but seriously. we always read the polar express together. and drove around to see the lights. i think shopping for her dad is an awesome idea. and finally, chocolate. lots of chocolate. that’s good for any day!
have so much fun!!!
OF COURSE, you’ll be taking her to see the Christmas show at Dollywood!
I almost cry every time I think about it. The lights, the music, the costumes, the dancing, the crisp winter air, ahhhhh…
Such great memories of my time in Tennessee!
Don’t forget the camera!!
Watching the Nutcracker is a must! (If a live performance isn’t possible, rent a video.) decorating a gingerbread house, driving to look at lights (over and over) is a MUST, playing the same Christmas cd in the car over and over every year, shopping for Daddy, making reindeer food to put out on the lawn Christmas Eve — I have a recipe and adorable poem if you are interested — reading the same Christmas story book every year — a photo with Santa, any Santa will do, to put in a frame every year, no matter the age……..you are going to have so much FUN!! We also have American Girl Doll fever — you can find some deals on Ebay, if you still have time for that route.
I listened to one of my favorite Christian talk shows on the radio yesterday. The host (Scott Wilder) asked people to call in with their favorite Christmas gift ever – received or given – and/or their favorite Christmas memory. With very few exceptions, callers relayed stories of their favorite Christmases past… most were about an activity, not a gift. One lady told of the year she was 13 (she’s 50 now), and their detached garage burned down after Thanksgiving, and all the Christmas decorations were in there. They couldn’t afford new ones, so she and her five siblings handmade new ones from popcorn and felt and glitter and glue and construction paper, etc. Many of those ornaments still exist, are favorites in the family, and bring fond memories of the two days they sat around the kitchen table TOGETHER “making Christmas.”
A favorite craft my sister and I did with my mom was making “pinecone Christmas trees.” Surely Tennessee has pine cones! Find some nicely shaped cones with flat bottoms so they will stand up on their own. Using Elmer’s glue (or any glue really), glue some tiny colored ball “ornaments” (we dismantled a garland bought at the dollar store to get our “ornaments”) onto the “branches” of the cone. Then spray the whole thing with a light dusting of flocking snow (available in a can at any craft store or probably any drug store). Voila! Pretty little trees! Mine were made 37 years ago, and they’re still pretty and still on display every single Christmas. Love them!
Make homemade hot chocolate together, bake some cookies, put Christmas music on the CD player in the car, and drive around looking at Christmas lights. When I was growing up (in a single parent home with no money to spend), it’s what we did and it’s the best. Sing loud and sing proud! We also made our own Christmas tree ornaments (cranberries, popcorn, marshmallows) stringing them with floss works the best. Reading Christmas books together snuggled under a blanket (go to the public library and check some out together). Making a gift for her father. You’ve taken great photos of her throughout the year. Get him a photo album and put her pictures in it and talk about the special times you two have had when you are putting it together. He’ll love it, she’ll love it, and you’ll love it. Also, you could have a girl spa day as her gift. Get good smelling shampoo, do the nails, fix the hair (big and pretty), put a cute hair bow in her hair, etc. She’ll giggle when she thinks back on it. Most of all, just enjoy the time!
Oh, that was just too funny! We haven’t yet ventured into the racket that is the American Girl Dolls. That would have been right up my alley as a kid though, so I know we’ll be venturing there before too long! As for bleacher-free suggestions, with a 4 and a 2 year old, reading the Christmas stories is still a big thing for us. but maybe MAckenzie is a little old for the story reading. Or at least for Elmo’s night Before Christmas. Maybe there’s an older kids book you could get and read together – there’s got to be a $42 American Girl Christmas storybook, right? I kid.
Another favorite is the Christmas movie fest. Maybe introduce her to older ones like White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life? My 4 y.o. loves the “Sisters” number in WC!
Have a great time! I know you will!
OMGosh everyone has given such awesome suggestions! Obviously you need a christmas movie marathon and I’d suggest lots of snacks for it! Maybe painting your nails festive colors etc…
As for a gift… how about a 25th anniversary Cabbage Patch? That’s what I got my niece! (She is also getting a over priced jerkette LOL)
You really made me laugh with your ability to find humor in this post and I really needed that laugh more than you know today!
Lots of love!!! XOXO
Okay, so I’ve never commented before, but, having an eight-year-old who is ADDICTED to American Girl, I have to tell you about the glorious-site-otherwise-known-as-www.silly-monkey.com. FABULOUS clothes/accessories for a fraction of the cost. Seriously, they even sell the most adorable little underwear for these dolls….for around $2! Good luck!
Cinnamon ornaments!
Ingredients: (makes appx 12 ornaments)
1 cup Cinnamon (I suggest getting it at Dollar Tree)
1 cup applesauce
optional: 1 tsp cloves/nutmeg/ginger/allspice
Also needed:
Narrow ribbon, yarn or string
Cookie cutters
Small straw (coffee stirrer size) or round toothpick
optional: glitter
Mix dry ingredients (and glitter if using it) then add applesauce a little bit at a time until it makes a dough the consistency of play-doh – firm but moist. Roll out on waxed paper to 1/4″ thickness. Cut out and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Poke holes BEFORE baking with straw or toothpick. Bake at 150 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until they look done. Tie on string or ribbon. Hang.
They smell GREAT and will keep their scent for a couple years. A dab of cinnamon oil will refresh the scent when it starts to fade.
Well go look at Christmas lights at night (the tackier the better), baking cookies and watching Christmas specials on TV. The “American Girl” line at Target is called “My Generation.” They rock. We have 2 of the real AG dolls, but buy accessories at Target.
Take her to the mall to go visit Santa and have her picture made, if she likes Santa.
Playing board games is also fun. She will be happy to just be spending time with you. Enjoy!
ooh… maybe find a way to sip hot chocolate in front of a fire… even if it means going to a Starbucks across from a fancy hotel with a fireplace in the lobby.
This could be done after going ice skating.
And I second seeing the Nutcracker. It’s so nice to put on a pretty dress and go to the Theatre! I never saw it until I went to college – and later envied my nieces when their gramma (My mom) took them to a local college performance of The Nutcracker. (never did that with me – pout!) And I love that little Taylor sat patiently for the firtst 20 mins before asking gramma “Why don’t they talk?”
So you might want to explain the story in advance so she knows what to expect!
I’m thinking a college performance would be pretty reasonably priced. – But give your new student loan payment priority.
Speaking of… you know why they make it due on Dec 25? So that you’ll miss it and they can make money on your late fee. They’re all heart.
Amy Beth, you are so funny!
Here are a few things I remember doing with my Mom (because I am, as you say, “rockin’ the single status”) 
……
- Go get a hot drink from Starbucks, only we didn’t have Starbucks back then and we made our own (hot chocolate for the little one and something with a kick for you)
- Drive around and find the best Christmas light decorations. Have a contest for the worst decorations, the prettiest, the most outrageous, etc.
- Shop for gifts for Dad and brother – usually at the dollar store
- Make cookies or some other sweet things.
- Wrap a few presents and put them under the tree.
- Get in comfy PJs and watch a sappy Christmas movie.
I sure miss being a little girl! Such fun times. Whatever you do I know she will soak it up.
Merry Christmas, Amy Beth. I hope someone(s) make(s) you feel as special as you make so many others feel because you give of yourself so much. Blessings!
Umm…I think I overdid it with the smiley faces in the above post. Whatcha think? Sorry…. (smiley face)
I think everything I did has been said…. but in case there is a vote… lol
…
Making hot chocolate and watching movies, baking and decorating cookies, making gingerbread houses (out of graham crackers – they are super easy), reading Christmas stories, looking at lights, helping wrap presents, and shopping for a little girl my age (off of a giving tree or somewhere else) was my favorite memory of all time! Oh my mom sister and I always got matching pajamas or PJ pants and all year when I would wear them, I would remember the sweet memories from Christmas!
So I haven’t been here in a few days – but we at ATH are quite into American Girl Dolls. You can find used – nice stuff on ebay for a fraction of the price – if you search well – though time is not on your side for this one. Michaels also has knock off things – you would be looking for 18-19 inch doll clothes and so does Target (Our generation) – though, I have found some Target things to be tight around a doll’s wrist – so I tend to buy things without cuffed sleeves.
As for special things I did with mom at Christmas – we made homemade ornaments for the tree – cards for friends and family – just be creative, find whatever might be fun and embellish these things. We also made chex snack mix and cookies as you already are doing.
In our home baby Jesus – a special doll – appears for one week that our children get to love on.
We also have a B-day party for Jesus!
Driving to see Christmas lights as said before is always fun!
How about a live nativity?
Does she do santa – or what about special Christmas photos – somewhere special?
Ice skating?
Lots of Christmas music!!!!
Reading stories that discuss the TRUE meaning of Christmas!
Playing Santa for someone in need?
Making homemade snowflakes to decorate the wall/window – is always fun!
Enjoy your precious time sweet Amy! LOVE – LOVE – LOVE on her as only a Llama Mama can!!!!!!
Renee
What about having a big birthday party for Jesus? We always made a cake for Jesus on the night before Christmas and had an actual birthday party… we read the Christmas story and sang songs.
What little girl doesn’t love a birthday party?!!?
I know this is a few posts late, but you should get her the book Llama, Llama Red Pajama. It’s about going to bed and calling for Llama Mama. Sounds fitting for you, and it really is a good book. My daughter loves it. It’s by Anna Dewdney.