I’m usually not a planner, and often do things at the last minute. This year, I decided to start my Christmas shopping a little earlier, as to try to get myself more organized. This is also prompted by all the “pre Black Friday” sales promotion I’ve been getting from all sorts of different retailers. As I stroll through the mall, and navigate my way around the internet, I was reminded of this bilingual book about Christmas called The Best Christmas Ever.

It’s a story about Christmas at the Bear family household, where Father Bear and Mother Bear don’t have any money for Christmas presents this year. However, Mother Bear and Father Bear create holiday spirit by adorning their home with decorations sewn from outgrown clothes and a tree assembled from gathered branches dusted with flour. Little Bear worries whether Santa will come and ultimately proves to be the most resourceful to ensure that gifts are under the tree. On Christmas day everyone has a present — a mended kite for Brother; a once-missing umbrella for Sister; a favorite old hat for Father; and, for Mother, a long-lost button that has been conspicuously missing from her red dress. This charming tale demonstrates that even the smallest person can give big gifts, requiring only love and ingenuity.

So this year, I’m going to challenge my husband to do the same. Instead of buying new games and toys for our boys, I’m going to try to “shop” at home. I’m pretty sure I can find un-opened toys and wii games from the past, and maybe just one of two books they “really” need from the book fair.