I can answer that some for you. For me it had been coming on for years. I watched as people went out and bought gifts expecting even bigger and more expensive gifts back in return. Always letting the recipient KNOW what they expected in return.And tho those recipients had already stated they were not participating in gift exchanges, due to finances , they have bills and children and child relatives, they would only buy for the children. The Giver chose to ignore and then made a big deal of how the person wouldn't even return a gift card for some expensive restaurant they liked to eat at, when others paid for the meal. Christmas is a wonderful Holiday, I agree!! A time to remember that Jesus was born, to take away our sins. We rejoice in this, we who beleive. It is not a time of looking for gifts from people, and or Expecting a big return for a gift given, when the person normally can't even speak of a good word to say about someone any other given day. These people I don't want around me because of their I am no.1 and and perfect attitudes to start with. So I don't want them sharing my time to remember what Christmas is really about and destroying the day for me or my family, while whining about those who did not give what they expected in return. They shpuld have taken their money from these gifts they purchased and just gone out and bought the gifts THEY WANTED TO START WITH!!

I totally agree. I think at one time, the things we did were annual "specials". Now, anything can be gotten any time.
Sue!

I'm so old(er) that I can remember being excited about getting a great big navel orange in the brown paper bag that was handed out after the Church Christmas Program.

I love Christmas. And I love baking. And I love decorating. Now all that said, I love it because we do it in a wonderful way. On Thanksgiving, while the daughter and SIL are staightening the kitchen of all the leftovers, my GD and I do the decorating. Since I can't do a lot she loves to just hold the decoration up and say "how about here nana?". I do still put up the thick gold ribbons on the tree because nobody seems to be able to do that. Then GD and I finish on Friday while everyone else is shopping or back at work. On Saturday I do the cards and on Sunday I rest. Now we get to enjoy the tree and decorations for the whole month of December. Baking DGD and I do as we wish and put it in the freezer for the family Christmas one week before the real Christmas. Gifts at the family Christmas are gag gifts for the adults and small gifts ($15 or less) for the children. Each child gets another to buy for. The dinner is pot luck and always fantasic and I always bring the cookies. They always disappear. Either they are eaten or put in little zip locks to take home and enjoy the following week. The only time I did not bring the cookies were the two time I had cancer treatment and couldn't. Everyone said how happy they were that I could come at all. So now I happily make the cookies once again. In the week between family Christmas and The 24th DGD and I make a wonderful Gingerbread piece that scents the whole house with the wonderful smell of spice. This year we shall make a gingerbread castle. We are looking forward to the event. I hope you have a wonderful holiday however you choose to celebrate it.

We are keeping it simple this year. I'm concentrating on 'experiences'. I talked the in laws into picking names, and setting a dollar amount under 25.00 ; It just gets too expensive.. all four of the GK's want expensive electronics, ect.... and it's not like it used to be... they get gifts all year long. I'm grateful thier parents are able to afford that type of lifestyle, but their houses are FULL of stuff! So, this year our gift to them is: a sleep over with all 4 GK's, and shopping for their parents, and a tour of the candy factory.

jojosnana........It sounds like you have a very peaceful celebration with your family. Your GD sounds like an Angel. And she will always remember the times you took with her cooking and decorating. Someday she will pass your traditions on to her own children and always be able to say that "My Nana and I always did this together". She is very lucky to have you for her Nana and you are very blessed to have her for your Granddaughter.

I loved reading your post................

Jojosnana your Christmas sounds a lot like ours. Time spent baking and decorating with family is how I grew up and how I raised my kids. It makes me happy to see my grown kids doing the same with their families. gifts were secondary, altho i love to pick out gifts and wrap them. we've always had to live within a budget.
Some of the inlaws spend more on one child than we spend on all of ours. Really don't think they are any happier than our kids are.

Yes I agree its time to stop the I'm more important than you and how come you didn't get the good one questions. I am so ready to just enjoy the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. I can count on one hand the members of our familys that actually remember that. A potluck dinner where no one has to do it all and lots of catching up on things we all were to busy this past year to pass on to those that are near and dear to us. some of the things that have happened over this past year have me wondering which one of my relatives has lost the biggest part of their brain . wellthats enough of the grinchin here is to you all having a wonderful christmas and that the blessings of the season follow you through the coming year.

I AM WITH YOU!!

I totally agree with you and like you have simplified all the stressful aspects of Christmas. Having done that I don't feel that I am missing out on anything. After all it's not about who got the biggest and the best presents is it? The best present is spending time with our loved ones and that is priceless. May you all enjoy a peaceful and joyful festive season.