Originally Posted by Gwyn

We have too many in my family for whom the economy has been really rough so we decided to really scale back on the buying and concentrate on the doing. My kids decided they could put their gift money into gasoline and each spend an evening at anothers home doing the 'family stuff'. I had to smile.

They spent the majority of Thanksgiving dividing up all those old family traditions we have and making dates to do them together. I believe we are making gingerbread houses here next Monday evening. They haven't all done this in years.

We hot glue graham crackers together and then use royal icing and candy to decorate them. It is usually quite the project and this year will be no exception. Margaret and Tony are sponsoring this activity as their gift to all the other kids. It will cost them around $50 for 15 people. There aren't any Black Friday bargains that will match the gift of 3-4 hours of family time...no way, no how.

I have decided to do Little Christmas. This is a Mexican dinner, pinata, La Posada, caroling and simple gift. This will be my time to give out the gifts I have for each person in the family. It is going to be a couple of days after Christmas so that everyone can be there. We are even having a video cam visit with Ben and his family. I think it will be nice to have a calm and focused time together instead of that hairied and frenzied time on Christmas. The dinner and party will run me about $100 at most when you include the pinata goodies. I can focus my energy on a special time together, and...we can all look nice and feel relaxed.