We just kicked off the Christmas season and started it off with our Light the World celebration.
Our elves came back for the Christmas season and we discussed all the ways we can be a light this holiday season.
Our elves came back for the Christmas season and we discussed all the ways we can be a light this holiday season.
Our "Light the World" kickoff was based around being a light and an example of service and love.
I decorated the tables with candles and lights.
As always, we read "The Giving Manager" to get us in the right mindset
I decorated the tables with candles and lights.
As always, we read "The Giving Manager" to get us in the right mindset
We had a big breakfast as part of our kickoff. We had sausage links, powdered sugar donuts, old fashioned donuts and lemon breakfast cake.
The kids were quite happy with the sugar selection. Sadly, Chris had already left for Virginia so he had to miss our kickoff.
The kids were quite happy with the sugar selection. Sadly, Chris had already left for Virginia so he had to miss our kickoff.
Then yesterday, on December 4th, we got to attend the soft opening of the "Giving Machines" in Bentonville.
I was lucky enough to have been asked to serve on the visitor experience/decoration committee. It was such a great experience.
While the last two days have been absolutely bonkers, I am still so grateful to have been able to work on this committee.
Tuesday night our three giving machines arrived on the square. We met as a committee and started decorating our area. We wrapped each planter box next to the machines with paper and filled them with artificial poinsettias.
Then Wednesday morning we met again to start working on decorating the rest. We had a big balloon installation for the backdrop and we also made two large balloon towers to go in between the machines and some smaller garlands to go on top of the machines.
I was lucky enough to have been asked to serve on the visitor experience/decoration committee. It was such a great experience.
While the last two days have been absolutely bonkers, I am still so grateful to have been able to work on this committee.
Tuesday night our three giving machines arrived on the square. We met as a committee and started decorating our area. We wrapped each planter box next to the machines with paper and filled them with artificial poinsettias.
Then Wednesday morning we met again to start working on decorating the rest. We had a big balloon installation for the backdrop and we also made two large balloon towers to go in between the machines and some smaller garlands to go on top of the machines.
We also had a light up sign made by a local company that said "Light the World" and we placed that on top of the machines. It turned out so good.
After working all day on the machines and making sure it looked just right, I ran home and picked up my kiddos so we could attend the soft opening.
We got to be among the first ones to use the machines and it was pretty cool.
The kids each used some of their own money and bought things for different local charities.
Bailey bought identification documents, Benson bought a holiday meal and Tucker & Tanner both bought a set of pajamas. There were so many great options. It was hard to decide. But I have a feeling we will be back again.
We got to be among the first ones to use the machines and it was pretty cool.
The kids each used some of their own money and bought things for different local charities.
Bailey bought identification documents, Benson bought a holiday meal and Tucker & Tanner both bought a set of pajamas. There were so many great options. It was hard to decide. But I have a feeling we will be back again.
The machines looked so good all lit up at night.
This morning was the official unwrapping. We, again, met early to get the machines all set.
We were really worried that the balloons would deflate because of the temperatures, but surprisingly, they held up well.
We made sure the machines were restocked and then we wrapped them in wrapping paper so they could be officially "unwrapped".
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The committee that I was part of worked so hard and I was grateful to be part of it.
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We made sure to get a picture together before the unwrapping.
The official unwrapping was quite the ordeal. There was a ton of press there and officials from the church. Each charity we worked with sent representatives. But the main attraction was the Governor. Governor Sarah Sanders and her husband came to the unwrapping and all her security.
Our Stake President, Paul Van Slooten spoke first and opened the whole ceremony.
Then Governor Sanders spoke and she did a great job. She spoke about the birth of Christ and the gift that he was to the world. She encouraged everyone to give generously and to remember those in need this holiday season. It was wonderful.
After she spoke, they did the unwrapping. We had three machines and we had wrapped each one in wrapping paper. It was fun to watch the official opening. After they were unwrapped, everyone made purchases. Governor Sanders and her husband even made a "777" purchase, which means they purchased one of everything in the machine- this totals around $1700 and is just so cool.
After the unwrapping, the committee went out to lunch together and then we went back to switch out balloons for garlands. We knew the balloons wouldn't hold up long term so we had decided to install some green garlands with poinsettias and ornaments.
I think it turned out really pretty and classy. But I did love the balloons. They just had a "wow" factor.
After all these months of planning and preparing for our Giving Machines, they are finally here. I can hardly believe it. I really hope our machines are a success. We are really excited to have them here and our community is so generous- I have a feeling it's going to go well.
Regardless, we will be back to visit them soon.
