November 13, 2005
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Are you having a ‘simple’ Christmas?
I’m beginning to weaken so I thought I’d see if I could get some encouragement from you ladies. This year has been a lean one financially so I talked with my grown kids and asked if they had any ideas on how to cut back on Christmas. We all decided to draw names for the adults and give as usual to the children. We’re also going to have a ‘White Elephant Sale’ to have some extra fun.
So here we are… a little over a month before Christmas… and I find myself weakening. It will be the first time since my children have been home that I won’t be giving each one of them a gift. My husband said to go ahead and buy gifts for everyone if I want to but I know that I really need to do everything I can to stretch our money right now.
So, I’m wondering if you gals could share how you are ‘down-sizing’ for Christmas while still creating memories?
I’m looking over this link for inexpensive Christmas ideas. There are a ton of them.
http://www.night.net/christmas/ds-gifts-971030as.html-ssi
Hugs,
Georgene
Comments (9)
Your a wonderful homemaker,make coupons for a free homemade dinner,make coupons for help in cleaning an area of their home or room,make jar gifts-mixes inside canning jars,decorate the lid with a cute design,write a story about them,when they were born,favorite memories-in a journal,write down your favorite scriptures,why their meaningful,whatever gift God has given you,give it to someone else.Christmas is from the heart,not the amount of money we spend.Look at the gift of God,its free! Keep us posted on what you do!
Thanks for the link. I want to do some of those coffees. My daughter is knitting dish cloths. They look like little birdhouses. One year she made hearts out of felted wool and put the word grace on a little piece of cloth that she stitched on. I’m hopeless at crafts, but as you know I’m making the small scrapbooks this year. I’ve done the coupon idea before. I usually give my sil one for babysitting for his birthday along with some money for dinner out.
Encourager has some wonderful ideas. For my siblings, I usually just make up a bag or basket of different stuff. Like one yr I made a bean soup mix, with a bag of macaronis and put the spices in a shaker. Added a few other things, can’t remember. Other yr, it was a bag of different stationary, wrapping paper, cards, etc that I had accumulated while working for a greeting card com. Let us know what you come up with.
I once read that a rich man said to spend your money on education or experiences not things. I realize as I get older that the time I spend with my family and friends far outweighs in worth anything I can give to them. I have to agree with the idea of coupons for a homecooked meal, delivered to the house or a coupon for organizing that cupboard that never seems to stay neat.
I remember when I was pregnant with Michael, my dear friend Paula came to my house and helped me organize every single cupboard, drawer and closet. It took us a week to do it but my house was beautiful. This was over 10 years ago and I have not forgotten that blessing.
Love you Georgene!
I am having the same dilema this year. We have a rather large family; 6 children w/mates, 17 grandchildren and 2 gr grands. It’s been a “tight” year here, too, so I’m starting to be a little concerned about what we can do. Some of our children are in different states, so not able to do the coupon thing. It was going to have to happen sooner or later, which I’m sure is also your case. As our income becomes more “steady”, read that “limited”, we are going to have to become more creative. It’s a great idea for all of us to brainstorm this one! I’ll get back to you as I have more “incoming” ideas. Good luck!
One of the things we do is make each other presents as well as letting the kids save for trips to the dollar tree. Jars of homemade mocha mix, bean soup and homemade bread score big too!
We also focus on WHO’s birthday it really is. LOL
You’ll do great!
Exchanging names is the way we go so everyone will get a gift. One year I had something extra for everyone and instead of them appreciating that they all fussed at me and felt I’d overspent, so I just keep it as we’ve always done. I think that’s a good way to have Christmas gifts for everyone and share the expense. We, too, have always valued experiences over things, so we try to make plenty of good memories over the Christmas season. I think the highlight is always the evening we sit around the diningroom table and make gingerbread houses. In the end we have a little village to set up on the desk.
Great, great ideas! I’m now trying to come up with some ideas to do on Christmas day. Generally, we do gingerbread houses on another day but maybe we’ll think about doing them on Christmas. I’ve made ‘family’ cookbooks for both my husbands and my family. Our grandparents are deceased and I wanted to preserve their recipes along with all our other favorites from family members. Plus, I’m copying things I’ve written and hope to put them in a booklet for my girls. Each of my kids and their spouses have their favorite candies or cookies so I’ll make up a special plate for each. The White Elephant Sale will be fun, too. Thanks for all the great ideas. You’ve helped me!
we usually just give to the kids. i have a small family so that helps. if we exchange anything amongst the adults it a token, really, or some favorite baked goods. i give the kids calendars every year and one gift. this year it’s easy since i usually go with practical…..like bedding for my son and his wife, and kitchen something for my daughter who will be returning from the mission field, finishing college and getting married soon. i spend more on baking in time i think….that’s the part i love the best….the house warm with good smells, and the recipes reminding me of my grams that have passed on. those are the gifts i share with friends and neighbors.
i just wanted to stop by and say hello and let you know that i was thinking about you. wanted to thank you for being my friend. it’s snowing here today in illinois…i’ve given in myself and turned on the christmas videos and music!!!