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I took a little break from the newsletter last week. Partly because it was Cyber Monday and you probably didn't want another email in your inbox. And partly because I kind of forgot and waited too long to send it. Oops.

But I’m back this week with last minute gift ideas, book reading recaps, and proof that our chickens are finally earning their keep. Let me catch you up on everything.

This past week in a minute:

Last chance and they’re gone 🎄 Our ornaments have been sold out for a week or so while we recuperate from the Black Friday rush. But today, we're adding a few back to the site for one last chance to grab them before they're gone until next year.

And they're all 15% off until Thursday! After that, you won't be able to get one until next holiday season in 2026.

[Shop kids ornaments]

A magical book reading… Last Wednesday, we took the short trip down to Fabled Bookshop in Waco. If you've never been, you have to go! It's part bookstore, part coffee shop with delicious drinks, and part magical wonderland. There's even a Narnia-style secret door through the coats to get into the children's section.

So many of you showed up! Several families even made the trip down from DFW just to say hi. We caroled, decorated a tree, and I read my new book, Our Little Adventures at Christmas. It was such a sweet, fun day. Jordan and the girls came with me, and we loved every minute of it.

What are your favorite local bookshops? Shoot me a note. Should I come do a reading there?

On the farm 🐔 The chickens are back in full swing, y'all! We're getting around 10 to 12 eggs per day now. We even found a hidden stash of almost two dozen the other day. We made the tough (well, not-too-difficult) decision to get rid of 2 of our 6 roosters, and the hen house seems much happier now. Less drama, more eggs.

Jordan says we're still "heavily in the red" (whatever that means) when it comes to re-coop-ing our chicken investment... but oh well. 😁

❤️ Tabitha

Last minute like me?

If you're anything like me and not much of a planner when it comes to Christmas shopping, here are some last-minute gifting ideas for your kiddos. I've got you covered!

If you haven't checked it out yet, I put together a full gift guide for 2025 that I'm really proud of. It took me a few weeks to pull together, and I think it's truly helpful for this season.

[Link to gift guide]

We trying more and more to be intentional each Christmas, choosing just a small number of gifts that will last for many years and that have real meaning behind them. I don't want our kids opening piles of things they'll forget about by New Year's. I want them to open a few treasures they'll love and use for years to come.

I spent so much time curating this gift guide with that exact intention in mind. Each item is something I'd genuinely buy for my own kids or have already bought. Nothing feels throwaway or trendy. It's all meant to last.

I'm also trying more and more to shift toward secondhand items, meaningful experiences, and even free gifts when it makes sense. The kids get so much from grandparents and extended family that they really don't need much from us. So I included whole sections in the guide for secondhand finds, experience-based gifts, and free or homemade ideas that can be just as special (if not more so) than something brand new.

Also, in honor of Ducky, I included a thoughtful guide specifically for special needs children. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach because every child is so different, but I hope it gives you some thought starters and ideas that have worked really well for our family over the years.

I'd love to hear from you too. What are some thoughtful gifts or absolute must-haves that your kiddos love? Reply and let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas!

 — Tabitha Paige, Author/ Illustrator, Speech Therapist & Mom

P.S. I never, ever put a limit on how many books go under the tree. Books are always in abundance around here. Always. 📚👍🏻

Sometimes I make books & other pretty things…