8 Tips For Taking Your Kids To Their First Blue Jackets Game

If you follow 614 Mom on Instagram you know that I recently took my family to their first hockey game! I’ve always been a huge fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets (I used to have season tickets and never missed a game) so I was very excited to take them to their first game! I came prepared to do all the things - get the cotton candy, buy the souvenirs that they would inevitably want, and simply enjoy a fun night of hockey with my family.  

My son had actually just signed up for the Blue Jackets Learn to Play program that same day, during his weekly skating lesson, so he was really excited to see a real life hockey game.  If your child would be interested in learning to play - I highly recommend checking it out. It’s a great learning opportunity for them and is easy on the budget.  Anyways - back to their first Blue Jackets game.

My husband and I decided to keep it a complete secret - they knew we were going somewhere but they had no idea where.  After we parked at the Nationwide Arena Parking Garage we headed towards dinner.  On our walk we shared with them our plans and they literally jumped up and down with excitement.  It was seriously the cutest thing.

We grabbed dinner at Buca di Beppo which is right next door to the arena which made it easy and convenient.  Buca is home to one of my favorite salads in town - the Apple Gorgonzola Salad. Buca was, as always, a great place to kick off the night.  We were able to fill the little tummies and not feel rushed as we walked over to the game.

During our experience I came up with a list of tips so that when you take your kids to their first (or 100th) Blue Jackets Game you can go prepared and make the whole experience something for everyone to remember for a lifetime.  

8 Tips For Taking Your Kids To Their First Blue Jackets Game

1. Grab dinner beforehand. This helps limit the amount of lines you’re in and allows you more time in your seats to enjoy the game. I recommend Buca di Beppo or Boston’s.  If you don’t have time to get food before, there are plenty of options inside the arena for yummy food.

2. Pregame Warmups: 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. or half hour before puck drop. Arrive early enough to watch from ice level where you can hold your homemade signs and maybe even catch a puck that a player may flip over the glass.

3. Order team apparel ahead of time by visiting the Blue Line online store.

4. If it’s your child’s first game you can visit the desk next to the Blue Line store for a commemorative hockey puck with their name written on it.  This was really special for my three. I highly recommend making time for this.

5. Let the kids play - The IGS Energy Zone (located on main concourse near sections 108-109) features family-friendly activities such as a floor hockey rink where kids can play, interactive games for fans of all ages and a photo station where fans can take home a keepsake from the game.  

6. Be ready to answer a lot of questions. Read up on your hockey knowledge before you go :)

7. The Cannon: Nationwide Arena, the centerpiece of Columbus’ Arena District, is home for the Jackets where its fan experience consistently ranks among the best in the NHL and a cannon is a featured attraction. The Jackets’ game presentation includes a replica 1857 Napoleon field cannon that fires each time the home team scores a goal and takes the ice to start the game. The cannon is beloved by locals and despised by visitors (players, media, fans) who hate it for surprising them and the fact that it triggers a CBJ goal celebration. Fans line up before the game and during intermissions to get their photos taken at the cannon or with members of its Cannon Crew.

8. Don’t leave early.  I know with little kids and traffic sometimes it makes sense to leave just a few minutes early but let me tell you watching the Blue Jackets win is powerful and the room is filled with so much energy.  You don’t want to miss that. Traffic is handled really well in my experience.

Thrifting Tips with Volunteers of America and 614 Mom

Every time I hop on social media there is someone talking about how they are cleaning our their closets or doing a deep clean of their house to try and minimalize.  I get it - our house is full of clothing my kids have outgrown, household items we no longer need, and toys that my kids were given as presents that they never played with.  I’m always trying to find the best organization to donate our gently used items (and sometimes new items) but to be honest it’s been hard to figure out exactly which option is the best.

After a lot of research I’ve found that Volunteers of America is the best place for us to donate our items.  Volunteers of America (VOA) is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.  Established in 1896 they have helped support different community groups including veterans, homeless individual and families, low income seniors, men and women coming home from incarceration and those recovering from addiction.  

In Central Ohio they focus on veterans, housing, and community enrichment.  There are many ways you can help support Volunteers of America in Central Ohio and one of those ways is through their thrift stores.

By donating and shopping you are helping them raise money to serve people and communities in need.  In Columbus there are four different stores to shop from with unique finds in every shop.

I know thrifting can be overwhelming sometimes - what should I look for, where is the best store, what days are the best day for me to go, etc. I’ve done a lot of research and talked to an expert in the field to share those tips with you.  Do you have a thrifting tip? Drop them in the comments below so I can add them to the list! :)

Thrifting Tips

·       On the last Tuesday of the month, everything in the store is 50% off.

·       Every Monday, veterans and Golden Buckeye card holders get 10% off.

·       Every day there are three sale tag colors and items with those sale tags are wither 25%, 50% or 75% off.

·       They add over 40,000 fresh items onto the sales floor each week

·       Approximately 80% of the sales floor is $1.99 and under.

·       Clothing is sorted by color because of sizing differences among clothing brands.

·       They have fitting rooms at all of the thrift stores

·       Bring a paper outline of your kid’s shoe size to pull out when you find a pair of shoes your kids might like.

·       Remove your hangers while waiting in line to speed up check out

·       Bring your own reusable bag or rolling cart, especially on sale day when it can get crowded

·       Shop with a buddy. They can help you find things you might’ve missed

·       They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization where every dollar you spend goes to help serve people and communities in need.

·       When you get home, you can remove the price markings from items by using nail polish remover, Goo Gone, rubbing alcohol or WD-40.

Schedule a free home pickup of stuff you no longer want by calling Volunteers of America at 1-800-873-4505 emailing askthrift@voago.org or going online. You can also drop off donations at any of their thrift stores or in a donation drop box in your area. Your donations are tax-deductible and they are happy to give you a tax receipt.

DHL Supply Chain - Change The Way You Work

Are you or someone you know looking for a new employment opportunity that gives you flexibility in your schedule? Keep reading because I’ve got the best job for you.

I get asked all the time if I know of any jobs for stay at home parents or parents in Columbus who need a flexible job due to schedules with their kids. I’m now happy to report that I have found THE PERFECT opportunity.

DHL Supply Chain is hiring for multiple shifts for a variety of job roles including packer, order filler, material handler. Your shifts could be as little as 3 hours per day or as much as 8 hours and is great for stay at home parents that need a flexible schedule. You choose your hours!! What could be better than that?

Click the button below to learn more and apply for the job of your choice.

Wear Red For Congenital Heart Defect Awareness | 614 Mom

Thank you Chelsea from Strive Less Live More for sharing her story with all 614 Moms. See her story below and make sure to check out her blog and Instagram channels. She’s the biggest advocate for postpartum care and is truly a rockstar. I love her and I know you will too.

Today you’re likely to see a lot of red. Not only is it the start of February, the month we attribute to love, heart decor, and Valentines Day, but today is National Wear Red Day. National Wear Red Day exists to spread awareness about heart disease. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 deaths are linked to heart disease and heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. These statistics are alarming. As a society, we are educated often about the things we can do to reduce our risk of heart disease: avoid tobacco, exercise regularly, make nutritional food choices and try to keep cholesterol and blood pressure low. What we don’t hear as much about, though, are the lives that are affected by heart disease from the very start.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) happen in 1 out of 100 children, making CHDs the most common birth defect (Pediatric Congenital Heart Association). There are 2-3 million adults living with CHDs and 40,000 babies born in the US each year with CHDs. According to Heart Heroes, there are over 40 identified types of CHDs and these types vary greatly in severity. All Congenital Heart Defects require monitoring for a lifetime. For 25% of babies born with CHDs, surgery is required. For some children, the complications of a CHD cannot be repaired, making it also the leading cause of death in infants related to a birth defect. (PCHA)

It’s hard to think about something like this, but it is also important. As mentioned, CHDs are prevalent, and yet, there is a lack of awareness surrounding them. My daughter is 1 in 100. When my husband, 2-year-old son, and I went to our 20-week anatomy scan, we had one thing on our mind- find out the gender of our baby and plan a fun reveal party. After what felt like an abnormally long ultrasound, what was revealed to us was more than we anticipated. Prior to this, my knowledge of Congenital Heart Defects was very limited. I knew that a family friend had surgery as a young child and had a scar on his chest, but that was the extent of my understanding. When a doctor came in following the ultrasound and paired the words “heart” and “defect” my body went limp. Honestly, I don’t remember much more from that appointment as I wept in my husband’s arms. Most of what he said felt like a foreign language to me, but after picking myself back up a few weeks later, I set out to educate myself and others.

As a mother, the two things I immediately wondered is if I did something to cause this struggle for my little girl and how would it affect her life? The causes of CHDs are largely unknown. However, there are some factors such as genetics and environmental factors that can play a part (American Academy of Pediatrics). For our family, we have yet to discover any substantial links after evaluating the environmental factors and completing extensive genetic testing both prenatally and after birth.

As for the long term effects, children with CHDs may have other physical and developmental disorders and are often linked with other congenital defects. Today we are seeing more infants grow into adolescence and adulthood due to continual research and treatment progress. Prenatal diagnosis can help a family like ours prepare for this life change, and yet currently only a fraction of CHDs are spotted before the baby is born (and still yet some are not detected until the baby is older and displays complications or a doctor detects a murmur.)

Here in Central Ohio, we are fortunate to have a highly recognized cardiology team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. NCH performs hundreds of heart surgeries each year on patients from hours old into their adult lives. NCH is highly rated as an innovative hospital with consistent growth and outcomes.

For our family, this diagnosis rocked our world and yet it also sparked a new appreciation in us. As I mentioned before, we received this diagnosis prenatally. It was at this appointment that we heard the name “Tetralogy of Fallot” for the first time. While most people go to a 20-week ultrasound calling it the “gender” ultrasound, this is truly called an “anatomy scan.” I encourage all mothers to be aware of what can be discovered at these scans aside from gender- whether it is a CHD or other birth defect, early detection can have a huge impact on the planning and treatment possibilities. Don’t be afraid to prepare questions to ask throughout your scan and ensure that your team is looking carefully at each part of your baby in utero. I am forever grateful for our ultrasound tech who spent extra time exploring our baby’s heart because she saw something that looked abnormal.

Our little girl, Sage, will have a reparative open heart surgery this spring. She will be a mere 5 months old when she undergoes surgery. There is no cure for CHDs, but 25% of children receive reparative surgeries. Some children undergo surgery within days or weeks of birth, many have surgery within their first year, and some are able to wait longer. Many will also have subsequent surgeries. We expect our daughter to have a subsequent surgery in her teen years to continue to repair her faulty valve. From the outside, you would never know that one of her vital organs is failing her body.  She cries when she’s hungry, she loves her milk, she laughs at her big brother and fits right into our family. Some days I completely forget about her heart defect, and some days it fills my mind at all hours (you can read more about the mental journey on my personal blog).

Congenital Heart Defects are prevalent, but our awareness of them is not. More than likely, you know someone who has a CHD but you may never know from the outside. We do not have a cure for CHDs, but we have the ability to educate ourselves and others and support those who are facing this complication. Today as you see red, take a moment to talk about what you may have learned about heart disease and congenital heart defects. Share something with a co-worker, a family member, or a friend you see this weekend. Take a moment to read more about how Nationwide Children's Hospital serves the heart community every day and celebrate these hearts by loving on your family a little extra as we enjoy all that February brings.

Health and Fitness at Balanced Family Academy

We recently became a BFA family and if you’re not sure what that means let me share a little about Balanced Family Academy (BFA) with you.  Balanced Family Academy is a childcare and preschool for kids ages six weeks - kindergarten. With a balance of teacher-led and child-initiated play, positive reinforcement, and open communication it is truly the best fit for our family.  

Over the next few months I’m going to be sharing more about our experience at Balanced Family Academy and of course, if you ever have any questions email me eryn@614mom.com I’m always happy to answer whatever I know and if I don’t know, I’ll ask for you.  :)

One of my favorite things about BFA is how they care about the whole family and the whole body.  As many of you know fitness is a huge part of my life and I’m passionate about creating a love of being active in my kids. BFA gives me so many convenient opportunities to make that happen by providing so many organized activities for every member of our family.  

For The Kids

The following programs are provided during the school day as part of the curriculum.  

Yoga

Yoga has so many benefits for kids that will help them in school, at home, and on the playground.  Through yoga practice kids learn to be aware of their body, build concentration, increase confidence, and manage stress through breathing and meditation.  You can learn more about the benefits of yoga here.

JumpBunch

Kids need a lot of activity and BFA has partnered with JumpBunch to provide a fun and structured exercise once a week.  The class starts with a warmup, sports activity of the week, stretching and a cool down. I love getting photos of my son during JumpBunch. I can see the joy on his face.  He’s learned a lot and gets to burn some energy.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics helps kids with coordination, sportsmanship, discipline, and goal setting.  BFA provides the students with gymnastics 1x per week along with the other two activities listed above.   

I love that each activity that BFA offers provides different benefits to the students. I know that my kids are learning so many different skills through yoga, JumpBunch, and gymnastics while having a lot of fun in the process.  

For The Parents

BFA knows that being a parent is busy and they are here to make life easier for the BFA families.  They offer classes right around pickup time while the center is still open to allow you time to get your workout in before picking up your kiddos.

Cardio & Strength

Mondays from 5pm-5:45.  A quick workout with maximum impact. I haven't had the chance to take this class yet but it’s on my list.  I’ve heard it’s really great. I’ll report back when I experience it firsthand.

Barre

Tuesday 5pm-5:45. Get your zen on before picking up your kiddo(s).  I just wrapped up the barre class this evening and it was both challenging and fun. The perfect combo.

**If you join BFA, I’d love to have you join me in a class. Just let me know and we will schedule it.

For The Whole Family

Family Yoga

Family Yoga is offered once a month on the last Saturday of the month.  Remember all of those benefits that kids gain from yoga? Imagine how impactful it would be for your kid to be gaining confidence and learning to manage stress right next to the most important people in their lives.  My kids always love a good excuse to share their school with the rest of our family so you can count on seeing our family every single month at family yoga.

5 Ways to Enjoy Kona Ice All Year Round | 614 Mom

Earlier this year I shared all about the Kona Ice House Calls and you guys LOVED it. I had so many messages asking for more information and thanking me for sharing the info, I was tagged in your photos, and Kona Ice had their phone ringing off the hook. Now that we are all bundled up in coats and scarves it’s not as appealing to sit outside in a line to order a large Kona Ice cup with cotton candy flavor but I know you all love Kona just like my family so I wanted to share with you some ways you can still enjoy the treat without freezing.  :-)

Indoor Events

Last year I planned the carnival at my daughter’s school as a fundraiser for the PTO and one of the biggest hits was the Kona Ice cart.  The kids loved getting an unexpected frozen treat after running around playing games.

Birthday/Corporate Parties

My son has requested to have Kona Ice at his birthday party this winter and I mean can you blame him? Nothing says Kona Ice quite like an indoor pool party.

School Lunches

School Lunches would be the perfect place for the Kona Ice mini cart - it’s a fun and inexpensive way to have some fun during the cold winter months. Looking for a great PTO activity - I’ve got you. Call Austin.

School Dances

I don’t know about you but I would have loved my school to get Kona when I was going to school dances. The cotton candy flavor is the B E S T.

Sport Tournaments

We just sat through hours at a local sports tournament for a friend and as a mom I know that I would have paid good money for a small treat for my (impatient) kids.  

Is there an event you are thinking would be the perfect fit for Kona Ice?  Give Austin a call at 614-586-6999 and tell him Eryn sent ya :-)

Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

Thank you Pazazz for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own. Thank you to my readers for supporting the brands who support 614 Mom.

This time of year my home is filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies, muffins, and pinterest fails (I’m looking at you peppermint ornaments) but nothing makes a cold day a little warmer than my favorite apple crisp in the slow cooker.  It’s my favorite thing to throw together before a potluck, holiday event with our families, or a random Tuesday evening when we just need some comfort food.

We LOVE apples in this house, it’s actually one of the only fruits that every single member of my family likes so we always have a bunch on hand which makes it easier to throw this together in minutes. I’m really picky about the quality of my produce so I’ve recently been trying out some new brands and Pazazz is my new favorite orrrrr obsession is actually the better word!  Pazazz apples are descended from the Honeycrisp with a beautiful red color and delicious mix of sweet and tart.  They are available in the fall and winter so it’s such a treat when they come in season. You can find Pazazz Apples in Meijer and Kroger and just to save you some time you can get them delivered from Shipt through Meijer. Just a little FYI! :) I’m all about helping make your lives easier - just search Pazazz and they pop right up.

This recipe is so easy to make with my kids because I use the slow cooker so we can put together the entire recipe before turning up the heat and while I love cooking with my kids - the dangers of cooking with children can stress me out! Anyone else feel me.

I highly encourage gathering up all of your ingredients beforehand and even peeling the apples before passing them along to your kids to chop.  

Ingredients

Base

10 Pazazz Apples

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

⅓ cup brown sugar

3 teaspoons of cinnamon

Pinch of salt

Crumble

1 cup of uncooked oats (old fashioned)

⅔ cup chopped walnuts (you could also use almonds instead)

½ cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

4 tablespoon coconut oil (I’ve also used butter but I like the coconut oil better)

Directions

1. Peel, core and chop the apples into thin slices.  I allow my kids to use their safety knife to cut the apples so for us the apples are all different sizes.  

2. Add lemon juice to apples and mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the apples are covered completely

3. Using a separate bowl make the crumble topping - by gently mixing the oats, flour, walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together.

4. Add the base to the slow cooker and then top with oat crumble.

5. Drizzle coconut oil on top and add lid and set to high heat for 3-4 hours.

This pairs perfectly with a bowl of vanilla ice cream or by itself.  If you give it a try be sure to tell me how it turns out for you. You can head to my Facebook page to watch my son and I make this recipe LIVE!

Experiences Over Things | 2019 Holiday Gift Guide | 614 Mom

My husband and I are big believers in experiences over things when it comes to gifts for our kids.  Don't get me wrong - we are not against toys, we just try to make smart choices when it comes to toys and then use the rest of the budget for fun experiences.  We will happily spend more to make this a reality.  Instead of that $14, cheaply made, random toy from Target we will spend more on tickets to a play or a membership to a local museum.  This isn't because we think toys are evil or that our kids shouldn't have them, but because we want our kids to understand the value in making memories with their loved ones over material items.  We of course still buy them toys and with the exception of that bunny rabbit our daughter asked for one time, have made all of their big wishes come true.  However you won't catch me buying a cheap plastic toy - ever.  Instead I want to create those memories. I've done a lot of research on different fun experiences happening in Columbus over the next few months, that would be perfect for our kids, and I'm sharing it all below.  I hope it helps inspire you to find something fun to experience with your family.  

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We are so lucky in Columbus, to have some amazing museums in our backyard.  My husband and I definitely take advantage of those because it opens the door for so many fun memories at a pretty low cost.  Franklin Park Conservatory is a huge family favorite, we also really love The Columbus Zoo & The Wilds, The Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio Historical Society, and my kids have been obsessed with COSI since they were infants.  Depending on the place and level of membership you're looking at, the price may seem a bit high, but remember they come with a lot of perks - like unlimited admission, free or discounted parking, special member only events, and discounts.  Memberships are always at the top of our lists for holiday gift ideas. New to Columbus this year is LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Easton and don’t tell my kids but they are getting this membership and a few others for Christmas this year.

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Now my personal favorite memories to give my kids (or anyone, really) are the ones that are once in a lifetime or once a year memories.  Tickets to The Nutcracker, or taking my son to see an OSU basketball game, those aren't things we do on a weekly basis so when the kids open those, they get really excited.  The excitement builds up from the time they open the gift until the day of the event.  Their happiness is so contagious and I just love getting to experience these memories with them.  Below are some events coming to Columbus at the end of 2018 and throughout 2019 that are perfect for family memories.  

1. Pete The Cat will be at the Children's Theatre January 17 - February 3, 2019 and Marry Poppins will be there May 17-19, 2019. These are perfect because they are short plays, a great introduction to theater and so much fun! The tickets are also very affordable, They have more shows in 2019 like Tuck Everlasting.

2. Tickets to see a show from CATCO is Kids. This is another great option for the young kiddos. Shows like BABE, The Sheep Pig, Seussical Kids, Madagascar a Musical Adventure Jr, and more.. Generally tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children.

3. Tickets to an OSU game - basketball, hockey, football, depending on the level of interest of your kiddos. My son loves all things Buckeye so we are planning on getting him OSU basketball tickets for Christmas.

4. Bundle up and head to Nationwide Arena for a Blue Jackets Game. Make a night of it by heading down a little early and grabbing dinner at Nada, Boston's, or Buca. (Note: Amazon sells youth Blue Jackets replica jerseys that would make attending the game even more fun for your kiddo)

5. Harlem Globetrotters will be in Columbus on December 30th and make a perfect stocking stuffer. You can even get tickets to go out on the court with the stars themselves. Seriously considering this one for our kids. Has anyone been? I'd love your thoughts. I haven't been since I was a kid.

6. Disney On Ice presents Frozen will be in Columbus April 18-April 21, 2019. We are huge fans of the Disney on Ice shows and will definitely be there for Frozen. Will we see you there?

7. Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic is coming to the Schottenstein Center on April 3, 2019 and tickets go on sale on December 18, 2018 at 10am EST. My two year old loves Elmo and this show looks so fun!

8. Cirque du Soleil Crystal is coming to Nationwide Arena on January 23 - January 27, 2019. We took our kids to a different Cirque du Soleil a few years ago and they really enjoyed it.

9. DANIEL TIGER is coming to Columbus!! Seriously, this is my favorite cartoon for my kids. It’s really a good one. You can catch Daniel and the gang live on April 28, 2019 at Palace Theatre at 4pm.

10. A gift card for bowling and laser tag at Ten Pin Alley! We are OBSESSED with Ten Pin and my kids are always asking to go play there so getting a gift card for the holidays is perfect.

11. Skating passes to The Chiller Ice Rink - we love doing this while my husband has some time off around the holidays and then again all year round.

12. Tickets to go Tubing at Mad River Mountain. A few quick things to know about snow tubing - there are no minimum/maximum age requirements at Avalanche Tubing Park, only one person can ride in a tube but you can be linked together with other tubes by each holding on to the other tube. Wear layers for this fun, seasonal, activity.

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We want to create memories in our home as well, so we've thought a lot about the best toys to purchase that will allow us to create memories together as a family. 

• Legos

• Magna-Tiles

• Art Supplies

• Board Games - Monopoly Jr., Jenga, Connect 4, and Uno are some of our favorites

Do you have anything you'd add to this list?  I'd love to hear! Leave your suggestions in the comments below.  :-) 

Our Favorite Holiday Gift Giving Tradition | Holidays | 614 Mom

When I was child my Pa, created this super special gift exchange for our family. It didn't involve a lot of money or a few moments in the store, but it did require a lot of thought, and a great deal of planning.  On Christmas Day, the members of our family who participated had a blast exchanging their gifts, and when I became a mom I knew that this gift exchange was one I wanted to recreate for my family as a special tradition. 

The rules were pretty simple - you had to make your gift, you absolutely could not buy it, and you had to be over 18.  I think they had that last rule so that it didn't turn into a ton of extra work by the parents. What they didn't expect was the way all of the children would look up to them and beg to be included.  One year, we even did a secret make a gift, gift exchange as kids without telling the adults. We were trying to show them we could do it without there help, so they would include us in the big one.  It didn't work! Haha, but they were impressed.  ;-)

I decided I wanted to recreate this tradition with my family but this time, include my kids.  So every year my family of five draw names and then as parents we help the kids think of an idea and make their gift.  As they get older, I'm sure we won't be as hands on because that's part of the fun, but for now I am the keeper of the list (so the kids don't forget who they have) and we help as much as we can without taking over or learning about the gift we will end up receiving. 

My Pa was my hero and I miss him everyday, being able to carry on a tradition he started in our family means so much to me.  It also feels so good knowing I am teaching my children that it's not about how much money you spend or how flashy the gift, it truly is the thought that counts, and with this gift exchange they have to really think about the gift they are giving.  

How It Works 

It works like most gift exchanges where you draw names, keep the name you draw a secret, and present your gift at the Holidays.  The way it is different is that you can't purchase a gift, you can buy the materials if you need to but the point is to use what you already have and not spend any money. The goal is to use your talents as opposed to your wallets.  

What Makes It Special 

This gift exchange requires you to think carefully about who is receiving the gift. You can't simply go buy a book that they will read and forget about. This is something that they can have forever, to cherish and always think about the way you put so much love into their gift. Some very simple questions we ask ourselves when thinking of what to make - 

What does this person need?
Do they have a hobby?
Is there something sentimental they would appreciate?
What is something age appropriate that I can do? (this ones for the kids)

What Are Some Gift Ideas?

When I was growing up watching the gift exchange I saw many different, thoughtful, creative gifts and they all had a lot meaning which was so special.  Now that I'm doing it with my young family, it's amazing to see how my young kids also create such thoughtful gifts that mean so much.  

My mom collected Ruby Slippers (like from the Wizard Of Oz) and one year my uncle made her a beautiful display for her collection.  
Last year Owen made his sister a photo collage of them together that is still hanging in her room
Emmalyn once made Owen a Build A Bear with her voice recording in it. (This one was a little on the grey side of the rules but since she was young I let it slide.) 
My husband made me a 614 Mom sign to hang above my desk last year, which was so sweet.  
This year Owen is illustrating this book for my husband.  (Riley, don't click on the link) 
There are so many amazing ways to do this gift exchange.  This is the time to get really creative.  

If you decide to try this gift exchange in your family, I would love to hear about how it goes.  Share your photos with me on social media, email your stories, I want to hear it all.  Happy Holidays! 

Celebrating The Holidays In Dublin | 12 Elves of Dublin | 614 Mom

If you’ve been a reader for awhile you know that this is my favorite time of the year! I LOVE the holidays! We have a few very special traditions that make this time of year extra special and one of those traditions including spending time in Downtown Dublin.  We love walking through Downtown Dublin and checking out the local shops, grabbing ice cream at Jeni’s, and warming up with a hot chocolate from Starbucks! On a side note: The White Hot Chocolate is life changing!! I’m obsessed!

12 Elves of Dublin

We have always loved the Dublin Fairy Trail so when we saw that they were hosting a 12 Elves of Dublin we knew we had to add it to our calendar.  It’s similar to the Fairy Trail because you hop from business to business looking for the elf and once you find the hidden elf you get a stamp. Turn in your completed card for a chance to win a grand prize! We went on Saturday and did a few of the stops but it was raining pretty heavy so we decided to go back another day to finish.  We did stop by Starbucks though and the barista told us that the kids that find the elf in their store get a free hot chocolate! Such a fun little surprise for my son, who loves Starbucks like his mama. :-)

You start by picking up the card at any of the 12 participating businesses and then make sure to go to each business on the card. The Scavenger Hunt runs daily from December 1-December 29 from 1pm - 4pm and is completely FREE to participate in.

Participating Businesses

• La Chatelaine

• Boho 72 Boutique

• Dublin Toy Emporium

• Dean Insurance Group

• The Close Connection

• Terra Gallery

• Cutler Real Estate

• Winans

• Our CupCakery

• Johnson's Real Ice Cream

• Dr. Jennifer J. Miller, DDS Dentistry of Dublin

• Starbucks

My kids loved the 12 Elves of Dublin because it was fun and exciting. My son’s excitement when he entered each business on the hunt for a new elf was something I hope to remember for the rest of my life. It was the CUTEST thing ever! I mentioned earlier that we had to leave early due to the weather but that’s okay because my son has talked about how cool it was so much that my husband (who didn’t get to go due to work) is excited to go back and experience it with us which is so fun!

You can celebrate the holidays in Dublin by visiting the Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, grabbing dinner at Bridge Park, or shopping and strolling in Historic Dublin.  How will you be enjoying Dublin this Holiday season? Tell me in the comments and be sure to share your photos with me using #614mom on social media