A Little House Christmas

“Every Christmas is better than the Christmas before,” Laura thought. “I guess it must be because I’m growing up.”

~ By the Shores of Silver Lake

Even in times of hardship, Christmas was always a special time for Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family. Every year Ma hung up the girls’ stockings by the fireplace so that Santa Claus could fill them with small treats. Though the Ingalls’ holiday celebrations were much simpler than the traditions we observe today, each little house they lived in was filled with joy and gratitude for their many blessings.

In this spirit of giving, you are invited to send a special Christmas stocking to your partner filled with small gifts inspired by the Little House books. Your stocking should be at least 12 inches long, and can be sewn at home, clean vintage or thrifted, or even a nice boughten one. The stocking should include at least 5 items, and in the true tradition of the Ingalls family, the items should be handmade or relatively inexpensive.

The items might include:

• tea
• cozy knitted wool mittens or scarf
• handmade soap or candles
• Christmas candy
• paper garland
• your recipe for gingerbread
• a soft rag doll
• a pretty, thrifted china shepherdess
• a copy of a special book
• paper dolls
• a small jar of homemade jam
• an embroidered handkerchief

You could even sew an ornament, make papercrafts, create a hand-drawn illustration, or find other presents inspired by the Little House books! Your creativity is encouraged in this swap, and more ideas can be found below.

• How to Have a Little House Christmas
• A Pioneer Christmas in the Old West
• Beyond the Little House
• Little House Books Fun & Games

The stocking is sender’s choice, but please do make sure you aren’t sending something your partner has specifically expressed he or she prefers not to receive. If possible, so we keep with the pioneer theme, it's nice to try to choose materials that are organic in nature--i.e., cotton or wool over acrylic, wood or tin over plastic, etc.

Don’t forget to check country mail restrictions for the destination your stocking is traveling to as well. Lastly, please enclose a seasonal card or letter with wishes for the holiday, and if you wish, a note explaining what the Little House books mean to you.

You will have 6 weeks to put together your package…and you’ll receive your own beautiful stocking just in time to celebrate Christmas in your own little house. Please join in on the fun!