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Andie (left) and Hunter share their holiday traditions.

Andie and Hunter, age nine, make their wish lists way before Christmas. They dream about mp3 players, dolls and stuffed animals just like other kids.

They've been saving their birthday and chore money all year long, and now they're thinking about what Christmas gifts to buy.

“Mom usually pays for the gifts we pick out, but we pay her back for some of them with the money we save,” says Andie.

Earning and Saving

Andie (left) and Hunter work together to earn extra money.

Andie and Hunter earn money for chores they do around the house. They get $1 for cleaning their rooms. They can also earn money if they earn stars for good behavior.

“Cleaning our rooms usually takes awhile!” says Hunter. They each save their money in a special place until they need it.

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Of course, gifts mean shopping! Andie and Hunter are excited about their family tradition of spending a whole Saturday Christmas shopping with their mom. They'll also surprise her with homemade gifts. They've made cards, candle holders and other gifts for their mom.

Hitting the mall

Andie (left) and Hunter with their dog, Hannah.
Hannah

Even though their chocolate lab, Hannah, is five-years-old, she still thinks she's a puppy.

So Hunter and Andie usually buy her a toy for Christmas. Last year, they got her a chewable rubber wheel that is one of her favorite toys.

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Hunter and Andie shop at different stores for different people, and they go to a local department store for ornaments for their teachers.

Different Stores

Hunter and Andie go to different stores for different people. They go to:

• Their brother's favorite skateboard clothing store to buy gifts for their brother, Alex
• Department stores for things like slippers for their Grandpa. “He's easier than some people because he tells us exactly what he needs,” says Andie.
• Boutiques for presents for their teachers, like scented soap
• Holiday stores for ornaments

Last year, they each spent $5 each on ornaments. Their mom helps them find items in their price range.

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Last Christmas, Andie and Hunter picked names off the Giving Tree at school.

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree has tags on it with the names, ages, and wish lists of kids whose families can't afford to give them Christmas gifts.

There are many Giving Tree charities throughout the United States. Here is one that has donated more than 700,000 gifts since 1990: Family Giving Tree.

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With their mom's help, Andie and Hunter choose a CD player for a girl, and a popular movie and candy for a boy whose names they picked off the tree.

Before the day is done, Hunter and Andie also buy a few small gifts for their best friends. But they don't spend a lot.

“It's still hard not to tell them what we got them,” says Andie.

Hunter says, “We tell them what we bought other people!”

They don't shop without fuel. “We always have French fries with cheese, cinnamon pretzels and soda at lunch,” says Hunter.

The last thing they usually buy is wrapping paper...