Snorky Lvs2Quilt

If it weren't for the kids and grandkids all coming home for a week at Christmas, we probably wouldn't even decorate. I don't mind decorating, it is the clean up and putting away afterwards that depresses me. We have continued to cut down each year on what we put out for Christmas and also what we are buying for the family. I would love to just give the kids (adults) money but DH doesn't want to start that yet. We would always give the little ones presents to open because after all Santa has to come to our house since they are here for Christmas morning. I am already stressing because I haven't even started decorating since I have been sick. Oh well what doesn't get done, won't be earth shattering. Being together is all that is important.

kantuckee

We gave up dealing with all that years ago! We (my husband and I) now only get the small children something as a token. And they like it just as well. Cracker Barrel has the old timey toys and the kids love them. As they get older then homemade gifts to and from them is the thing. Choosing toys for the unfortunate is the focus of their holiday season since the have so much anyway.

For decorating, it is age appropriate and with the help of the children. Very simple things like construction paper, glitter and glue to start and they make their own felt stockings. They connect with last year's Christmas cards cut out and glued on the back of clothes pins and stringing popcorn to hang with candy canes. There is a recipe for cinnamon and applesauce dough that is rolled out, cut into gingerbread men and shaped if you don't want the real gingerbread men. They have to be done ahead but can be decorated just before you hang them on the tree, and they smell wonderful!

I know you have collected lots of things over the years but soon it is time to "gift" them to friends and family. I cook the turkey the day before, debone it into the large crookpot and cover it with thin gravy. Dinner it pot luck and buffet style. The turkey leftovers are just as good on day 3 as day 1. We spend our time with each other and out of the shops and malls. Who are you trying to impress?

This season is now my DH's favorite time of the year instead of the most avoided.

Learner747

I used to like Christmas. All the decorating, baking, shopping, caroling, etc. THEN I went to work for the postal service. The horror of all the cards, packages, deadlines, and grumpy customers soured my attitude. Three years in a row I ended up in the hospital from sheer exhaustion. Please be kind to your postal people. And it wouldn't hurt to gift them with homemade cookies. :->

Pam B

You should not feel guilty. I once heard a speaker say that we should all stay out of the stores and away from magazines from Sept through Dec. The marketing of the holiday season is an assault on the senses. And, I think everything is an attempt to make one yearn for something we all feel missing from our lives.

DH and I have cut way back this year. We decorated while our daughters were home over Thanksgiving and what did not get decorated simply will not get decorated. My shopping is finished. Again..we cut way back. Instead of spending in excess of 3K on our family gifts, we are buying each of our married children a gift for their home and just a couple 'personal' gifts. Our youngest DD (a college senior) is getting things for her apt and some gift cards for new clothes. DH and I are not exchanging gifts (instead we are getting new furniture and going to Hawaii in Jan). The month of Dec is generally a blur...DH and I are always invited to several Xmas parties for his work (he is a regional manager so he gets invited to 6) and also my staff party. This year I am only going to 1 of his parties and my own staff party. In talking with our extended family over Thanksgiving, it was determined that everyone is tired of the mammoth gift exchange. We will get together with our loved ones for dinner and fellowship...no gifts. I am not going to knock myself out baking and candy-making, either...I am the one who will snack on it and that pretty much is contradictive of my going to Zumba three times a week! LOL

No, I/we are not being Scrooges...Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. Somehow, I just don't get how people running out to spend themselves into debt has to to with honoring the birth of Christ? I just want to celebrate by having my children/spouses at home for a few days.

Sheila_H

Your definitely not alone - we've got a big family but everyone is scattered all over the place, so it means needing to get everything bought now and ship next week. This year however I asked everyone name one thing that you really need or want for Christmas, for the grandchildren they are very young so I buy lots of clothes to help my daughters out, and then get them a game, book or toy. Previous years we went way overboard on the buying, this yr I started a couple of months ago when I saw things on sale I'd pick them up and put them away.

For him and I we've been for the past few years just picked up stuff while we were with each other, that way you know it fits and you like the color/style. Then we'd pick up one or two small things the other doesn't know about for under the tree but we pretty much know what is under there.

Sheila_H

My BIL is a postal delivery person and I hear the horror stories from him, even dog attacks he's been bitten a few times by some big German Shepherd. So when our postal guy comes around I always meet him at the door and chit chat, in the summer I give him a bottle of water on the really hot days, and last few years I've given him the little hot pouches that go into your gloves to keep your hands warm

butterflies5518

I too do a very simple Christmas. My children are older and spread out, so gift cards, a few chosen small gifts sent to the DGC and I am done. I don't do black-friday, I don't do shopping. I am still working full time so i chose to enjoy the holidays and if it can't be paid for with cash I/them don't need it. I refuse to go into debt period.

Pam B

And...before anyone thinks we are extravagent (the new furniture and Hawaii trip) in my post above, let me explain....we have not had new furniture in 20 years and we really, really need a new sofa and recliners...ours are threadbare. As for the trip to HA...DH has to go there for a convention for his work. I did not go when he went there 5 years ago...stayed home to be a dedicated school teacher...we ended up having snow days...and I really wished I had gone. This time, I just decided to go. Our youngest child has one semester of college left. When she graduates in May, we will have put all three of our children through college ( 2 at public universities and one at a private school). We have scrimped for the past 10 years and it just feels really good to finally be able to feel like we can afford some new furniture! (Of course, the day after we ordered it the furnace went out...grrrr).

charlotte37830

I love this idea!!

jitkaau

My friends and I got together a long time ago and agreed not to 'do Christmas'. We will do acts of kindness and gather together, but no exchange of expensive gifts and no individual responsible for the meal at the gathering.We all bring food and/or drink to share and that is the only expense. It is much more enjoyable for everyone.