There is nothing better that you can give someone - than your time.
Life gets busy. Time with people we love more than anything can sometimes get pushed aside, as we attempt the never ending laundry piles, take on extra shifts at work and so on. I recently saw a post over on Facebook that really got me thinking. A lady had given her children the gift of time for Christmas. I was so taken back at the thought that had gone into this that I am making myself commit to doing a New Years version every single year for my children.
Life gets busy. Time with people we love more than anything can sometimes get pushed aside, as we attempt the never ending laundry piles, take on extra shifts at work and so on. I recently saw a post over on Facebook that really got me thinking. A lady had given her children the gift of time for Christmas. I was so taken back at the thought that had gone into this that I am making myself commit to doing a New Years version every single year for my children.
If you follow us over on Instagram you will know we are always out and about, doing something together as a family. This year in particular has been difficult for me. I am someone who loves to be organised, plan ahead, go the extra mile with additional touches - this year I haven't had any time or energy to do any of those! The twins are at a demanding age and I'm just rolling with it but its leaving me with little energy.
I sat with a pen and paper and I planned 12 months worth of activities, places to visit, birthdays to keep in mind etc. Neve loves maps, she loves looking online finding new places for us to go (with our help, shes just turned 5 bless her heart). She HAS to make cards for peoples Birthdays who she loves - yet my brain has been so frazzled shes been given last minute notices of card making etc.
It's all been good fun but this box will hopefully not only bring lots of fun and excitement her way but help us be a little more organised and effective with out time.
Take a box. Decorate it as you wish. Gather 12 envelopes. I used a jotting pad to gather some ideas together with the other half and we planned at least one place to go/something to buy - over the year that lay ahead. There was some flexibility where the children could decide exactly what or where but the ideas had been laid out and it was up to us to work together as a family to plan something to do together for that month.
Some envelopes contained money for my daughter to take ownership of to pay for entry to places, ice creams etc. Some envelopes contain vouchers and others encourage her to use the map included to find somewhere new for us to visit.
I added Birthdays, key celebrations and festivals to learn about such as Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali.
The cards would also give me a reminder to make Keepsakes such as our Salt Dough Snowman Hand Prints or the Penguin Foot Prints ahead of time.
Some envelopes contained money for my daughter to take ownership of to pay for entry to places, ice creams etc. Some envelopes contain vouchers and others encourage her to use the map included to find somewhere new for us to visit.
I added Birthdays, key celebrations and festivals to learn about such as Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali.
The cards would also give me a reminder to make Keepsakes such as our Salt Dough Snowman Hand Prints or the Penguin Foot Prints ahead of time.
My daughter is map obsessed so she will enjoy looking at it with her Dad and selecting a new place to go and see. It also gives you opportunity to review what is planned to happen over the year and ways you can include your children. For example when we venture abroad this year I have written about going to get the currency changed for her holiday money. Real experiences get children hungry for learning.
Although this is a great gift to put together for your own children, it is pretty limitless as to who wouldn't love something like this.
Think of your Grandparents, your parents, a neighbour even.
Just think how much they would LOVE to have one thing each month to look forward to doing with you.
Just think how much they would LOVE to have one thing each month to look forward to doing with you.
Lets take a look a close look at the New Years Gift of Time Box:
Not only is this a great way to plan family time, but it is also a great way to sit down reflect on what you have enjoyed this year and plan it all over again. You can remember events etc you might have missed out on this year and be sure to give yourself an early reminder in the cards to get things booked earlier for this year. Its something to stick to, something that can bring you all together. Housework, work and so on can wait while you enjoy at least one day that the children have had an extra special input of.
As well as including a place to venture to or a craft/activity to do I have added notes of special people who have Birthdays coming up. This will give Neve who LOVES making cards plenty of time to make something, rather than me remembering the day before and rushing something together.
Honestly these boxes are the way forward! Not only lots of fun but quite possibly for the parents like me that feel like they are winging it most days - a bloody sanity saver too!
Who would you give the gift of time to?
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Hi I love this idea I saw it from your Instagram page, would you mind emailing your months ideas to keltdi@yahoo.co.uk I am rubbish at putting things like this together without some inspiration. X
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