This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #SkittlesBeard #SweetSelfie #CollectiveBias

Do you remember the Wrigley Story Books? Every Christmas, there was one peeking out of the top of our stocking. I would open mine and beg my brother if I could trade him anything for his Butter Rum or Tropical Fruit flavor. If I close my eyes, I can still taste them!

Did you know they are still around? I saw them at Walmart the other day, and it made me smile.

They were right there with all the wonderful Christmas candy!

Stockings were always a big deal in my family! As soon as we were awake, we were allowed to open our stockings. We waited for everyone else to wake up to open the presents under the tree. I can remember sitting on the floor next to my parents fireplace carefully pulling out the Storybook, lip gloss, new socks, and new gloves. I would open the candy and slowly eat it while I carefully applied the new lip gloss.

I was looking at the choices, and the Skittles® Book of Awesome has a cute beard selfie in the front cover.

You open it up, turn it sideways, and watch the shenanigans begin!

One of my favorite things to do at the holidays is to take traditions that I remember from my parents and use them with my children! There is something magical and real about passing down traditions at the holidays.

As I was looking at the Life Savers Gummies® Sweet Game Book and Crafts  and the Starburst® Sweet Selfie Book, I knew the front cover would be the perfect spot for a special surprise. My mom has a tradition of telling my children the sweetest bedtime stories. She and the children have created an entire world full of lively characters and unique lands. This all began when we were moving to Arizona. My mother and grandmother were staying with me in Texas while Brian was traveling back and forth. They would put Julia and Nate to bed while I took a shower and finished laundry. Pretty soon, I began hearing these wonderful tales spilling out of their bedroom doors.

They’ve always loved her stories.

I asked her to write down a story that I could make part of the Storybook. She sent me a beautiful memory:

Christmas in 1954

The whole winter had been cold and wet and little girls who wore dresses were always cold. Today we had leotards beneath the dresses and as a concession wore our tennis shoes. Covered in a coat, gloves, and scarf; Papa was taking us to find a Christmas tree. Last year the boys went. This year was our turn. We did not go to the nearest stand, but rather he drove forever down the country lane to Uncle Bill’s land. The road wound around curves and over hills. The one lane country road stretched forever, and we looked out the window, “Where are the Christmas trees we asked?”. The trees were bare everywhere we looked. Oak and birch branches were bare of leaves only the glistening of frost on each one made the early morning sparkle. It was like seeing the stars in daylight.

Still, we drove until around one bend and over one more hill; we saw it. The Christmas tree forest. Papa got us out of his warm car and started up the hill. Giggling and dancing behind him, we trailed his path. “Which one girls? “he asked. Spinning around and round we could decide. It couldn’t be much taller than him. Then we spied it. The perfect tree with a little cardinal sitting on a branch nearby seeming agree. Papa let us each chop a little and carry a bit as we merrily began the return trip.

That was the most beautiful Christmas tree in the world.

Instructions:

• Measure the inside of the Storybook (5 & 1/2″ x 3 & 1/2″)
• Change your margins in ‘Page Setup’ so that the page is now 5 & 1/2″ x 3 & 1/2″ (I used Google Docs)
• Copy and paste your story
• Print
• Cut excess paper
• Adhere to the inside of the Storybook

 

Knowing my children will read this on Christmas morning and learn just a little more about my sweet mama brings me so much joy. I can’t wait for them to open their Starburst® Sweet Selfie Book!