This post was sponsored by T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Every year during the holiday season, our family and friends ask us what we’d like for our boys. Our response is simple: nothing. We have what we need and more!
We have a roof over our heads, food on the table, a family who loves and supports one another, a third one on the way and of course, our health.
Although we don’t need anything, we always wish we had something — our family and friends in North Jersey to be closer to us. It’s been years since our move to South Florida, but our tradition of making holiday baskets has remained.
Our idea of the perfect gift is time with our family — pups included. It’s no surprise that whenever we get to thinking about gifts for the holiday we always try to think of ways we can include the entire family, not just personal gifts for each. Creating holiday baskets allows us to do just that. Not only are we saving money, but it’s a great reminder of what the holiday season is all about — coming together as a family.
Although I may not have my family here to celebrate with me, it’s good to know we have my husband’s family and some friends we’ve made along the way to help fill the void.
Putting Your Family First
As we prepare to gather items for our holiday baskets, we’re looking into different retailers that share our holiday message in putting family first, something my family has always instilled in my brothers and me.
One of the perks of shopping at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods during this time of the year is finding everything you need for your family gatherings from holiday décor to entertaining essentials and gifts for everyone on your list.
At T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, the family is the greatest gift. That’s why these retailers are hosting the Gift My Gathering contest to inspire people to connect and celebrate what truly matters most – each other. This holiday season, they will make it possible for five families from across the U.S. to come together and celebrate at a holiday gathering.
T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods have also partnered with Carla Hall to share tips and tricks for great holiday gatherings.
For those of you looking to enter the Gift My Gathering contest, head over to giftmygathering.com from now until November 28th. Simply tell us how these retailers can help you gather with your loved ones this holiday season. Five families from across the U.S. will be selected and brought together to celebrate the season with a custom holiday gathering.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Gift My Gathering is sponsored by The TJX Companies, Inc. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S., D.C. and Puerto Rico, 18 & older. Begins 8:00 a.m. ET on 11/13/17 & ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/28/17. For official rules, visit giftmygathering.com.
Are you looking forward to spending the holiday season with those you love?
I love the sentiment of T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods and have been shopping with them for years. Family first, always!
The holidays are best spent with family. This year I am torn between spending time with my parents who live far away or with my daughter.
I love spending time with my family especially at Christmas and its great to be able to treat them to gifts too xxx
I love the holidays! I do look forward to spending time with my family. I’ve always enjoyed shopping at TJ Maxx!
Aw I love that you have continued the tradition of creating holiday boxes and while you might live near your family I am glad that you have made friends in South Florida to help you through the season. Have a festive and happy holiday 🙂
We just got a Home Goods. It opened last weekend. We walked the store tonight (as a family), and loved it! I love that you can find everything there.
Great Post. The Christmas season is not just about presents and Santa and lights and trees and other stuff. It’s about family and Jesus’ birth! Thank you for sharing!
-Mama from Mama Writes Reviews
We have plenty of toys around the house, so we don’t need more for our boys. If I am asked for ideas, I often ask for experiences- trips to the zoo, a special dinner with their grandparents, a visit to the kids museum. These are the memories that matter the most in years to come, not the “stuff”.
I agree – family is everything. As long as we’re surrounded by those we love, that’s all that truly matters. And when it comes to holiday shopping, I love finding fabulous items at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.
Yes Christmas is a season that I love because it means lot of family gatherings and it’s great to see when everyone is healthy and doing well.
Nice thought. Family is always the first, everything we do has to be about the family. Thanks for the article, this article reminds me to be grateful to my family.
Time flies, holidays are almost here. I agree, out of everything, family always comes first. This is an amazing contest, I like how they will give chance to families to be together.
I always think the best part of christmas is getting to spend it with those you love and getting to catch up on all you have missed.
I completely agree with your thoughts! Family time is the only time when one can have peace. I just can’t imagine life without my family.
The best gift at Christmas time, is the time we spend with our loved ones. I love Christmas so much and can’t wait for all the family chaos. I thrive on it.
I love spending time with family on the holidays! I usually see my parents and sisters a lot during the year, but the holidays are really the only time I see most of my extended family – I love it!
I am not going to my family’s for christmas but to Germany, my partner’s family. First time for me but it’s gonna be amazing I hope. Family is everything and it is great to know that you have it when your entire world is falling apart
Those are always my favorite stores to shop at! I love creating a warm home that our friends and family can gather in. We don’t focus on gifts, but on the quality time during this season!
As we get older, I definitely find that my Christmas list dwindles to just surrounding myself with the people I love for the holidays. It’s fun to see how the holidays becomes less materialistic, and more about family and love
Sondra xx
prettyfitfoodie.com
I was just talking to someone about putting family first. Sometimes that is not always what everyone around you wants, but for us, it brings us the most joy.
I don’t think I understand the contest. Are they going to gather all of your family members from everywhere for Thanksgiving? If so, that’s pretty cool!
We always tend to say we don’t NEED anything either. Around the holidays, things are generally just wants or luxuries that we would love to have that fall on our list.
Totally agree. I’d give up anything just to be with my family specially on special occasions. I’ll be sure to spend this coming holiday season with family.
I just love this idea. I think baskets for family is a wonderful idea. I always have felt that family is the most important and not what is given, although I am a giver and love to give. I also think it is the thought that counts. I think it is great that TJ Maxx is doing this contest.
I used to love big holiday get togethers but as I get older I am just fine with a few close people.
Couldn’t agree more on this post. Indeed what is the most important is being with your family and loved ones. Time is so precious to all of us. As for myself, I see to it that I get to be with my family every holiday season.
This contest is awesome, giving opportunity to families to be together. Having a great time with family will always be the best.
The Gift My Gathering contest sounds like a great contest. I’ll have to check it out and see if I can help inspire people to connect and celebrate what truly matters most. For me that’s my family and friends.
I agree that family is everything! Christmas is best spent with family and friends. It’s one of my favorite time of the year sharing joy and good cheers.
It really is a great time to bring people together.
Holiday is not just about Christmas, gifts, Santa Claus nor Christmas tree. For me, is it all about spending our whole holiday with our family, making good and happy moments will always be the best.
I have to agree. There’s more to the holidays than just decor.
family is truely a treasure and I always feel a great reminder of it during holiday season. The contest is great I will definitely give it a closer look
I am please that T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and Carla Hall care about families on the holidays. Not everyone is luck enough to see their relatives throughout the year.
Yes! I was excited to hear about the news as well. A great way to get families together during the holiday season.