showering the world in costumes

As the babes get a little bit older they've become even more involved in the birthday gift-making and giving that happens around here. Often, it involves some kind of costume play. I'm thrilled that - at least for now - they get really excited about dreaming up ideas, planning, and executing the gifts we make for their friends. The past few weeks they've been planning this little project to give to a special four year old, who loves to visit the dress up rack whenever he's here. The boys instantly had grand plans of construction an entire dress up rack from wood, constructing him a pair of shoes, and sewing him a lion's costume. We compromised on this.

It's a vintage red suitcase I thrifted and cleaned up a bit.The boys each drew a few pictures of this little ones favorite costumes, which I mod-podged (yes, that's a verb) right onto the front, using Rick Rack as the 'frame'. And then we got a little nutty with the glue gun adding ribbon and buttons all over. Fun.

Inside is a start to his own dress up collection. A couple of pieces thrifted, a few from their own plethora of dress up, and a couple that we made just for Simon.  You know, the essentials the boys thought he would need to get started: a construction helmet, a boa, some scarves, a sherrif's badge, cape, safety goggles Santa hat and cat ears. The essentials.

Showering the world in costumes - one vintage suitcase at a time. I think that's their plan.

Comments

[Melissa]

What a nice gift! What a lucky recipient!

[Madeline]

What a beautiful purpose in life! : ) You have some lucky little friends.

[Peggy]

I love this post Amanda! And what a wonderful plan the boys have. Everyone needs a little dress-up!

[Bex]

Brilliant! My girls are getting one for Christmas. Thanks for the idea...

[Katy]

The sharing nature of your children is inspirational. What a very luck birthday boy he is to have such caring playmates.

[Meredith]

That's the best gift ever! And the boys being so involved make it even better. Your kids will be writing their own books about living in creative families one day, Amanda. You know that, don't you?! It's wonderful!

[Tere]

That is SO cute! I was a kid who loved dress-up too. In fact, Mr. Dressup was my favourite tv person throughout childhood ( I even saw him live!). What a great gift : )

[Jen]

*smiling*

[Eren]

And a grand plan it is...great job all!

[Mary Beth]

I love it. My older kids (now teens) loved dress up and they always used their home-sewn Halloween costumes over and over again. It's going to be interesting to see if my toddlers are so dress-up oriented as well. Your friend is a lucky boy. Oh, and I love that some of it is from your own stash--that's such a neat vibe--just passing along some of what you have.

[Bluebirdbaby]

That is the greatest! What a lucky little friend :)

[Diane]

I'm thinking that my dresser needs an overhaul -- MY essentials should include a boa, a cape, safety goggles!

[Stefani]

So COOL! I love the red case too. You know what? I think that I need my own. I'm seriously considering traveling (I mean to the grocery store, mind you) with my mama disguises in a fancy pants red case. Love that!

[Suzanne]

What an absolute gift from the heart! That little boy is sooo lucky to be thought of like this:-)

[Diana]

Uh, my birthday is on thursday, do you have time to make a nice little suitcase for me? Just kidding, of course :-) Enjoy!

[julia]

this is awesome! something like this would have been just the coolest present ever as a kid.

[TeenSleuth]

Wow, I think your kids should be Costume Ambassadors on the international stage. Love it.

[Dee]

What a thoughtful gift...made even more special by their own excitment and input into it...wonderful!

Dee
x

[Emily]

Oh, you have brought back some memories. When I was in university I had very little money for Christmas gifts. So I went to the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and bought my cousins and nieces and nephews dress ups. I found an old satin cape and a headdress, brightly coloured hats and swirly paisley skirts, bangles and sparkly boas...the "kids," who were then 5 to 13, put on an impromptu play for us on Boxing Day. They still tell me that those were some of their favourite Christmas presents.
I love the way you encourage your children's imaginations and feed their generous spirits, Amanda. It reminds me to bring it to my own classroom.

[jean]

lucky Simon! great idea.

[Jessica Keith]

What a fabulous gift idea! I will definitely be copying this one for our friends. And that suitcase is too adorable.

[Sandra]

What a great idea! I will pass this idea along to my kiddos - I'm sure we'll be making one for a friend or two also :) Thanks for sharing ~

[amanda]

I love this idea!

[camerashymomma]

this is wonderful! this present is like giving the world of imagination! fun fun! i agree with their list of essentials. i better run out and find some goggles! :)

[sarah]

oh! I love it!!! I'm so jealous of the thrifting in maine, I've been looking for so long for a decent suitcase.

[emily]

so great! creative and thoughtful and perfect as a gift.

[Melissa!]

How incredibly thoughtful!
My girls were so into dressing up when they were younger. I still have a few boxes of their costumes hidden away in our loft...why? Hmmm...following in Calvin & Ezra's spirit of giving, we will also pass ours on. :)

[Natalie]

Super!
I also loved the Sir Ken link... many thanks for sharing all of your ideas and inspirations.

[kjerstiye]

That is the best gift idea ever! Full of creativity on both the side of the givers AND the recipients!

Kudos to your kidlinks (and their mama)!

[Jade]

Great idea!!!

[Jessica]

That is the best gift ever! Those personal touches are just great!

[Anne]

This is a great idea and what kid would not want his own dress up suitcase?

[Stacey]

What a lucky boy to have friends like your kids. What a great idea of a gift in general. Thank you for sharing.

[stephanie]

great gift idea!!

[cloth.paper.string]

you guys continue to amaze!

[Tami]

We love dress up around here. I would love to find a vintage suitcase to house their costumes, great idea! Blessings, Tami

[sadira]

Now THAT is a good plan!

[Melissa]

That is so sweet of them! It so wonderful to see children that are so willing to give things away.
My daughter has a dress up bin that we are adding things to. She loves it! When we are out thrifting and we find the perfect costume we get it for her. She loves playing in them!

[Simone]

Thank you for your lovely blog. The suitcase present is a wonder. Clearly your children learn in a warm, creative, wholistic, child-lead sort of way. That said, are there times of explicit instruction for your children? Though your blog entries declare loud and clear what you value in life and education, I'd love to know how you made your educational choices. I admire what I read on your blog and would love to more about your thoughts on formal education (or not) for your three kids. Thank you for anything you're willing to share about your thoughts on formal education and the creative family.

Simone

[Katja]

What a lovely & creative present. Such a lucky birhtday boy!

[Simon's Mumma, aka Rachael]

We are very lucky to be loved by the Soule family. Thanks boys! kiss. kiss.

[Nic]

How utterly fabulous! I wish I were 4 years old, and in the boy's gang. Being an adult sucks. Until that is I remember that I am empowered to copy the idea shamelessly!

[emilyruth]

wow...that is so awesome...i love it...lucky little four year old friend:)

[Nessie]

love this- I might have to borrow the idea for my neice. would be a fantastic christmas gift for her.
very fun!

[fiveflowers]

yes, the essentials. sweet!

[SpiderWomanKnits]

What a wonderful idea!

[betz]

I love dress-up! In our old house we had "shaker pegs" mounted low in one of the boy's rooms for easy access to costumes and hats. Those were the days (they were 3 and 5) when a trip to the grocery store without a super hero in tow was unheard of. Now they are 5 and 7 and the dress-up has tapered off. That is why I am thankful for Halloween as I know that under the surface, they still love dress-up and the holiday offers them the opportunity to be uninhibited!

[nat]

such a great idea....
:)

[annette]

lovely, kiddos!

[julie]

When my boy was 4, he would have adored such a gift.