It is our family tradition to put our tree up the first weekend in December. That is only days away and I am still not one hundred percent sure about how to decorate. I know we will need lots of things with strong scents. We will have a live tree, so the earthy smell of the season will fill our living room. I am gathering a collection of jingle bells to hang from every moving object in our house. Our MAPS group (microphthalmia anophthalmia parent support) has constructed a list to come out in our winter newsletter with suggestions for bringing the magic of the holidays to our children, but I wonder if there is something out there we have not thought about?
I am calling on you all for help!!! Maybe you might have an idea that we all have not thought of. So, put your imagination cap on CLOSE your eyes and…IMAGINE what you would need to feel the magic of Christmas with every bodily sense that you have – EXCEPT YOUR VISION. Send me your suggestions – the tree goes up this weekend and I want to amass my supplies before then.
I would also like for you all to meet an amazing member of my MAPS group. Deb had an awesome idea for her daughter Bronwen. Go HERE to watch the news video of The Artful Tree.
gwen
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12 comments:
Gwen,
I saw in a sales paper an ad about Christmas lights for the outside that comes with 20 Christmas carols that plays and the lights blink along with. I can't think of anything that would be more hearfelt than listening to Christmas carols playing outside for all to hear. Of course, I know everyone wouldn't appreciate it but it would be something that I bet Ivey would enjoy. Also...who says they have to go outside...why not string them inside the house?
I just bought a bag of scented pine cones at Michael's, Ivey could touch, feel and smell them.I get them every year they are cinimon scent and I put some in a bowl in a few room's they scent the whole room for a long time..
You can put a jingle bell on each of her shoe laces, she will jingle when she moves.
Get her a Xmas book and tape, one where she can hear Santa Clause .or a talking book, the ones with the push cubes on the side of it.
Some of the Mall's have Santa and Raindeer, she could touch a real raindeer, I took my kid's and they loved it.
Let her feel the tree and your Nativity, if you put on up. tell her each piece while she feel's it, my son carried the baby Jesus around with him.
I'm still thinking of more things, I hope this help's a little.
Brightest Blessings to ALL...
Wow. What a challenge! I was just sitting on the couch feeding the baby and thinking about this post as I looked around at our Christmas decor as we put everything out the weekend after Thanksgiving. So much centers around lights and so much that we do take for granted.
These are purely my thoughts. We have used an artificial tree for the last 4 years (horrible I know) but in my defense, it's a pretty nice looking one. :) Anyway, I load it down with cinnamon pine cones from Michael's, and the house smells so good. Maybe just another scent to add to your real tree smell (which I'm very jealous over) or just around your home in general.
I was also thinking about a electric train to run around your tree. This might not be an easy aquisition if you don't already have one though. Maybe it would help Ivey know where the tree is at all times, and I can only imagine the boys would enjoy it too. :) I'm sure mine would if we had one!
A few years ago, I purchased some wooden beaded strands that we used to put on our tree. That might be something hung in the house that Ivey could play with and somehow associate it with Christmas.
What about some extra cushy velvet pillows or blankets that she can play on with bells sown on? Of course ones that are big enough to not make it in her mouth if they came off. :)
And definitely keep the music playing, as I know you do. That might be one of my most favorite things about Christmas.
Hope you'll let us know what all you end up doing.
Definitely music. Do you have the Sarah McLachlan Wintersong Album? It's lovelyyyy. I could listen to that ALL the time. Same with the Mariah Carey Christmas album. Love her!
We have a fake tree this year but I got these awesome Air Wick Evergreen plug ins and holy smokes, they smell like a real tree. Several people have commented, is that a real tree? And I say nope, it's the plug in. It smells really really good.
If you have beaded garland she might like to play with that and feel all the beads. Or if you make your own with popcorn, I bet she'd like to play with that too. Or a soft ornament would be another option.
Merry Christmas!
I too was going to suggest the scented pinecones (comes in cinnamon), You can get them at the Christmas Tree Shop (if you have them near you).
Hi! I just happened upon your blog and enjoyed reading about your beautiful family.
I also have a special needs, tube fed daughter. She has a rare chromosome duplication (part of her 17th) - we haven't found anyone with the same duplication. It has been a hard journey, she wasn't supposed to survive birth, but she is now 4 1/2! She has one sister older, and one younger.
Take care!
I love the idea of bells everywhere. Scented pine cones and potpouri around the house. Christmas music playing from morning to night....I love having it playing all during the season.
Since Biper no longer sees colors and the lights are just a glare (the few he can see), I am using a lot of musical decorations. I have the musical lights for the tree, musical figurines (the ones I have our plush animals, so they can be touched). We have a plush Santa and Rudolph that can be played with for tactile. We also did the jingle bells on the tree and on the doors.
Hope some of this helps and I will be watching this post carefully for more ideas for our home!
Cynthia
Gwen,
I have been reading your blog for some time now per the request of my good friend, JenMom.
First, from what I can tell from your blog, you are such an amazing person!!! And your family sounds terrific. That sweet Ivey of yours is an angel on Earth.
Second, I was just thinking about some potential things you could do at Christmas time so Ivey could especially enjoy this special season. I've never tried them but maybe you could try those glade scented candles (pumpkin pie, gingerbread, etc.). And of course you can't go wrong playing Christmas music.
Keep us posted on what all you do.
And keep up the wonderful work as the mother of your boys and your sweet Ivey.
...Marianna Taylor
At halmark they have those christmas stuffed animals that shake and play music when you push a button on them. I think you might have seen a commercial for them. I think they are 14.95 when you buy three cards. We have three of them at home and my duaghter is always touching them. Chrissy
At Christmas time, I always like to keep a pot of simmering water with slices of oranges and lemons with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. It smells so good.
Love you, Tami
Hi Gwen,
I say let Ivey lick a candycane! I gave them to my kids when they were 7 months old and let them get messy. All kids like this! What about letting her feel warm baked cookies too? Maybe Gingerbread men. And maybe let her place gum drops on a gingerbread house. That is if you have time to make one. Santas beard and his velvet clothes, packages with beans that are wrapped, mittens on her hands, scarves.......my mind is thinking. Maybe I'll think of some more stuff today!
Kisses to Miss Ivey
Shannon in Austin
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