A re you panic-cleaning closets this time of year, too?! When I start to think about the inevitable amount of new stuff my kids collect between the holidays and two of their birthdays, my need to purge toys and clothes they’ve outgrown shifts into overdrive. As I’ve gotten older, and perhaps somewhat wiser, I’ve tried to incorporate some traditions that minimize all the stuff (and my incessant closet cleaning). First, I’ve discovered the joy in gifting our kids with experiences (and encouraging others in their lives to do the same!). That could be tickets to a sporting event or production, a membership to a local museum we enjoy as a family or classes or camps that pique their interest. The end result is often time spent together, and for my mama heart, that’s the very best gift of all. Find creative ideas to gift your kids (and their grandparents!) local experiences this holiday season on page 16. Second, we have established family traditions focused on helping others. At their birthday parties, our kids request donations to a local nonprofit in lieu of gifts. My sons enjoy collecting warm blankets and food for individuals experiencing homelessness to donate to organizations like Upward Transitions and Sisu Youth Services. My daughter asks for dog and cat food for the Pet Food Pantry, to be distributed to seniors and veterans for their furry friends. During the holidays, we gift each child with cash to donate to an organization of their choosing. Every year I look forward to their thoughtful conversations as they decide where they want to make an impact. My very favorite part of this yearly tradition is driving each of them to their organizations of choice to LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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Publisher Sarah Taylor Managing Editor Erin Page Assistant Editor Lindsay Cuomo Contributing Writer David Dinsmore Contributing Photographer Bridget Pipkin Art Director Stacy Noakes Senior Project Manager Kirsten Holder Director of Events Casey Shupe Editorial Assistant Emiley Bainbridge Account Executive Dana Price Contact us Mailing address: 6608 N. Western Ave., #458 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 Phone: 405-601-2081 tips@metrofamilymagazine.com www.metrofamilymagazine.com
make their donations in person and hear from enthusiastic staff members who their money will help. Don’t worry — I know my closet clean-out won’t be in vain because these kids of mine will still get plenty of new stuff. But in the midst of the chaos of this season, I hope what our family will prioritize is intentional time spent together and serving others. Will you join us? With gratitude, MY EARLY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BUDDY COLLECTS DONATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN LIEU OF PARTY GIFTS.
Erin Page Managing Editor
ON THE COVER Katelyn is the winner of MetroFamily’s 2022 Cover Kids Search in the 2-3 age category! She is from Piedmont and loves to make up games to play with her family, tell jokes and hang out with her cat, Pretzel. She enjoys playing outside in the mud, visiting local playgrounds, fishing and attending gymnastics at Dynamo. Katelyn likes to get crafty and creative by coloring, painting and baking with her mom. She frequently requests to have her nails painted. Katelyn is the daughter of Tara and Benjamin and little sister of Bonnie and Leon. The family’s favorite places to visit in the metro are Scissortail Park and the OKC Zoo. Special thanks to Katiebug’s Sips & Sweets in Automobile Alley for providing such a festive photoshoot!
MetroFamily Magazine is published bimonthly. Copyright 2022 by MetroFamily HoldCo, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or MetroFamily HoldCo, LLC. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.
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METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / NOV-DEC 2022 5
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