Country Chatter

I couldn’t share this “piggy-bank” gift idea until after Christmas since they were gifts for my grandchildren.

Here is the story behind their “piggy-banks” (money-jugs).

This past spring at our Fun Day on the Farm, Ryan (who is 6) saw a customer pay for their purchase with a $100 bill. He was instantly hooked.  He became obsessed with wanting a $100 dollar bill,  even begging for one from what he thought was his sympathetic,  “soft-hearted” grandma.  He fretted about what he could make and sell at the next Fun Day so he could have one of those coveted $100 bills!  His obsession was so intense in the following days that his parents finally had to forbid him to talk about it.

But Ryan has not forgotten and sometimes will mention that he is still trying to think of something he can make and sell to earn money. He is highly motivated with “earning” money so he can spend it on his beloved legos.

This summer when Karla and Ryan were at the farm they found lots of things in the farm store they wanted to buy but didn’t have enough money to do so. Finally I made them a “Christmas Wish List” paper and told them to write down what they wanted for Christmas.

1) lego’s-restrant, stable (for horses) and a petacure place

2) Beverly Clearly books

3) horses for me! (real ones)

4) pretend horses from Grandma Hurzlers farm.

5) A night gown for Saly. (doll)

6)  D.S

7)  Games for D.S  like Mareoi

8) MONEY!!!!!!!!! Check 999,999 or less to 90 dollars

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Legos

X Box

Legos Bookxs

100 Dolr

Motor Scooter

Watch

Check as  ahaf to pay for thae 16 logos

.

Through the fall and winter, money continued to be high on their Christmas list so I decided money they would get but I wanted a creative way to do it!   One day a customer came in the store and handed me a cardboard box with 4 empty one gallon glass vinegar jugs. (Remember those old-fashion jugs?) He said, “I figured maybe you could do something with these or know of someone who can.”  They sat in the store for weeks while I wondered what in the world I was going to do with them.   One day the idea hit me-money jugs for the grandkids!  I have a friend (Sheila Schaefer) who very creatively painted their names on the jugs for me.

I put $20 worth of coins in each jug.  I told them that when they get $100 worth of change I will match it and then they have to put the $200 in their savings accounts for college.  (They are not allowed to let anyone “stuff” their jugs-they have to save or earn the money).  After that their parents can set the rules for their money.

When I was a little girl I received a glass bear “piggy-bank” which still sits on my dresser. It stays full of change  I “find” in  pockets, the washing machine or left laying on the dresser.  Periodically I use the collection for “Penny Power” at church or some other worthy project.

This is one of my childhood treasures. The right hand toe has broken out and I have to put quarters in the bottom or the smaller change will fall out.  Hopefully these jugs will become treasures and hold memories of a special Christmas that they can share with their children.