Traditions from a former Angel Tree Child

As a former "Angel Tree Child", there were many Christmas' that were happy only because there were others willing to share their blessings with our family. Thankfully, my sons do not have a childhood that looks anything like my own. However, I do want my boys' to know we are richly blessed and there are many less fortunate people in the world. Thus, it is very important for my husband and I to share this thrill of blessing others throughout the Christmas season. We are also intentional about planning and budgeting for gifts to our children. Below are a few of our Christmas traditions to help keep our focus on the celebration of the birth of our Savior and the Good News his birth brought to the world.


1. Before any gifts go under our tree, the boys make a donation box from the toys in their room and we make a trip together to drop the boxes off at a donation center.
2. For the past several years we have participated in Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child.
3. Jesus received three gifts from the wise men, so our boys receive three packages from us. This allows us to keep a budget and make it through Christmas debt free!
4. We can not pass a Salvation Army red bucket or bell ringers without putting something in the bucket. Yes, this sometimes requires a special trip to the ATM in order to have something to place int the bucket!
5. Each boy chooses a gift for other children either from an Angel tree or Toys for Tots.
6. The first ornament on our tree is the Christmas nail - to remind us that wood from a tree would one day be used for Jesus’ cross.
7. Christmas Eve Candle Service followed by a drive to look at Christmas lights. We go on a Nativity hunt, counting the number of nativities we see. It is amazing how the boys' remember the previous year's number of nativities to compare it too!
8. We do a random act of kindness– like giving an extra $25 – $100 (depends on the year and our budget) on a tip at a restaurant, or making a random payment on someone’s lay away at a store.
9. We do an advent calendar readings, and last year we added the advent wreath to our dinner table along with an advent story.
10. Our newest one is the Happy Birthday Jesus cake. The bottom layer is chocolate to represent sin. The middle is red for the blood Jesus shed for our sins. The top layer is green for the new life we receive after accepting Christ as our savior. The icing is white to represent Christ’s pureness. There is a yellow star in the middle of the cake for the star of Bethlehem. Placed in the center of the star is a larger purple candle to represent Jesus himself, the King of Kings. Encircling the star and Jesus candle are small candles for each person present. The circular cake represents the world and there are hearts on the sides of the cake to represent our goal of spreading God’s love around the world. After the Jesus candle is lit, each person lights their candle from His. We sing “Happy Birthday” and everyone blows out the candles.

Stephen & Peggy Brooks