We usually give our children a main gift, an item of needed clothing (underwear, socks, etc.), a book, and a few inexpensive stocking stuffers for Christmas; however, this year was very different.  On December 23, two very caring women (Marcie and Laura), with whom my husband used to work, arrived at our door with a bunch of presents for the children and a gingerbread house kit.  Finnian was sleeping at the time, so we hid all of the presents.

On Christmas Eve, my two eldest daughters and I placed the gifts from Marcie and Laura under our tree before heading to Midnight Mass.  When we returned home, the little ones, especially Finnian and Elizabeth, were surprised to see gifts from Marcie and Laura, and St. Nicholas under the tree.  They opened two presents and then went to bed.  In the morning, the children opened the remainder of their presents and I was amazed to see the thoughtfulness of the gifts that these two ladies gave to my children.