Last Christmas, I struggled with what to give my tween. She was a girl tottering between childhood and adulthood, between wanting to play with toys and wanting to be grown-up.
I didn’t want her to leave childhood behind so quickly, so I purchased a whimsical toy — an advanced LEGO set I thought she’d enjoy.
I also wanted to recognize the fact that she was growing up, so I looked for a gift that reflected her adult side. I wanted to acknowledge her emerging emotions and her changing interests, so I purchased a set of wood-carving tools. I reminded my daughter of her ability to see things that others can’t, and encouraged her to express that through her creativity. The first thing she carved was an owl’s face from a thick stick.
A touch of childhood and a dash of adulthood equaled one special Christmas celebration.
This article appeared in the December 2012 issue of
Thriving Family magazine. Copyright © 2012 by Tammy Darling.
Used by permission. ThrivingFamily.com.