Christmas Pixies

As we enter December and the Christmas season, let us remember the true meaning for this holiday. That has become sort of a trite little phrase that is easy to say, but not always easy to implement amidst the hussle and bussle of life. I am trying especially hard this year to make this a memorable Christmas, and not because of the magical gifts that were received. I took step one by committing to a three gift Christmas. Rob and I will give each of the children and ourselves: Something to read, something to wear, and something to do. We’ll let Santa take care of the toy. 🙂

I have such happy memories from my childhood when we would leave gifts for a family on their doorstep, ring the doorbell and run. It is one of my fondest memories of the spirit of Christmas and was so much fun for my family. I still vividly remember laughing quietly with my Dad as we hid behind a parked car when the kids came running out their front door to try and catch us. We called it “Pixies.” It was done ward-wide then and we would all meet at the ward Christmas party to discover who our “Pixie” family was. I decided to organize this on a smaller level with some of the families in our ward. I sent out an email message, and there was a great response. There will be 19 families participating and I am so excited! I have several ideas already, but can’t share them here because I happen to know that many of them read this blog (even if they don’t comment 😉 ).

If you’d like to start up Pixies in your area, here’s the information:

Pixie 2007

1. You fill out my questionnaire and send it back to me by November 30th. Then I will put all families in a hat and draw names to assign each family to another family (from those who gave me a questionnaire) to pixie. I will send you the information for your family to pixie by December 4th.

2. You will be the pixies to this family for two weeks (December 7 – 21). You can leave homemade goodies, crafts, decorations, notes, flowers… anything fun and festive.

These are the rules:
*You must leave at least 2 pixie surprises each week. More if you like… You can either doorbell ditch or wait until you’ve made a safe getaway and call with a pixie message (although with caller ID this is a bit tricky), or even mail a package etc.
*There is a $20.00 spending limit (total for all gifts). Please don’t go over, it will just make the family feel awkward if the gifts are too expensive. Homemade is best and the more creative the better!
*The goal isn’t really to catch your pixies, so the family inside the home must count to ten before answering the door.

3. On your very last pixie you can either choose to remain anonymous or reveal your identity!

—As a side note, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can also do a pixie on your own for someone who would not be participating, but could use some special attention this season!

Pixie Questionnaire

Participating Family Name:
Parents or Head of Household:
Children (name, age, and gender):
Pets (name and type of animal):
Any allergies:
Days you are planning to be away or on vacation:
Your address and phone number (and gate code if required):

————————————————–

I hope this will help build the joy in giving and serving, and don’t forget to read the scripture story of Christ’s birth:

Luke, Chapter Two
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”