This is an interesting thread and it strikes home. My family has been blessed far greater than we deserve. Christmases in the past saw no limit. I always felt the need to have the "perfect" June Cleaver Christmas and tried to do everything in my might to do it,until now.
For months, the front page of our newspaper has told unending stories of job and home losses, homelessness and empty shelves at the shelters and food banks. Thre is no way I could continue to ignore what's going on in my world.
I emailed all my children to say there would be new rules for Christmas at our house this year. We will still have presents but there is a small dollar limit on each gift. They are encouraged to be creative and practical with their selection (who doesn't need underwear?) For extra fun, we'll have a Yankee gift exchange with a recycled/regifted item. I told each one, "if you own it and don't lke it, wrap it up." There should be a lot of memorable gifts floating around.
With the money we don't lavish on each other we'll be providing Christmas for some family who just needs a little help this season. My children and their spouses have jumped on the bandwagon to do this and it thrills my heart. They're geat kids after all!
I can hardly wait for Christmas Eve when they start arriving. I'm thinking this will be the best Christmas yet.
Merry Christmas everyone!

I learned the hard way, and a long time ago,that i can not do for everyone.
"if it's not life altering, it is not worth the worry"
i used to be a type "A" personality, until my health took a dump..i gave all my kids ornaments to them a few years ago..for thier own families trees..i put up a little tree on top of a table. my grandson and i make ornaments and sun catchers to give to his other grandparents and aunts/uncles. (about 6 items total) it is so much fun!
one year when my husband and i were both laid off..we had 50 bucks total for Christmas for our three kids..and the truth be told, it was the best Christmas ever, no more pressure,no feeling bad over something we had no control over. no more buying gifts for other family members..i prayed for peace of mind and i got it.
when we both went back to work..the following Christmas,my girls went to be with thier birth father, my husband had to work, and our son went to be with his friend on a farm..i went to a restaurant and had a quiet dinner by myself.
All was right with the world!

I vote on the scrooge side, I dropped out of the whole gift mania a long time ago. DH and I give to charity instead of each other, and adult members of the family also get donations to charity.
When I married him, his family was like this. We gave MIL and FIL home made jam for a gift, they gave us a $10 gift box from Wisconsin Cheeseman. DH's brother gave his parents a TV for xmas, they gave BIL and SIL a TV. We both refused to be part of that.
Please stop and think - people in this country have SO MUCH STUFF - other people around the world have so little. How can I go out and buy a sweater for someone when I know there is a mother in Haiti who is watching her children being sick and there aren't enough doctors or medicine. I am not a Christian but I know you say, WWJD? I bet he would not be shopping at the Gap.

I do not mean to be Debby Downer - I would like to say a big God Bless you to all the people on the board who do so much wonderful work for charity, quilts for kids, vets, etc. I am just blown away by how much love and generosity there is in this small group. Best wishes to all and may your holidays be filled with LOVE.

Christmas is always a simple thing here. Decorations, a 24'" inches tree, food; a couple of meat pies (tourtières) and pudding chomeur (kind of upside down cake,) Gifts: I make and buy , if you don' have money to buy some , it is 0;,KTo my family, our Christmas party is to be together as a family, we remember grandpa and my son that passed away, we enjoy ,he little ones Tom,5 , Laurie 3 and Xavier who will be a year old on Dec, 31.We remember the good moments, We tell each other how we love them .

I don't think it is.I agree. :|

hm don't you agree that WE put the stress on ourselves? When hubby and I decorated, it was a nightmare! He wanted it done, but really didn't want to put up the lights. etc. It took hours of wrapping the garland, decorating the tree, etc, etc, and then a few days later, had to box everything up and get things back to how it was before. This was after alot of arguing, and yes, yelling. Is it worth it>> I don;t THINK so! He has mentioned decorating this year... translation---- he wants ME to bring it up from the basement, and he will "observe" and critique. NOT goin's ta happen. Money is tight all around. Also this year, we are NOT spending and giving when in the past, the gift is NOT appreciated. So, this year, we are sharing a meal, playing Wii, hopefully laughing, and heaven forbid singing. Lets take the commercialism out of CHRISTmas, and get back to what is really important! Call me a Scrooge - but that's the way it is. For all you Martha wannabees, more power to you. YOur house will be the best on the block and people will admire it for at least a month. right?

I think I am a victim of people who are paring back on Christmas. I don't get as many cards as I would like from people whom I don't see because they live far away (most of my friends and family don't live in Australia where we are)

So can I put in a plea on behalf of any friends or relatives you have not seen since last Christmas, and you are thinking of "dumping" to make things simpler? Please - send a card, and include a meaningful note in it as well- it may make their holiday!

we all feel that way at times. Being my sons are not here at home, why decorate? I do like to put my little Christmas scene out, and this time I may net even have the tree out and decorated. yes if my family was here, I'd bake the cakes and cookies. Don't know when It's been that I have baked,
If my sons are here I might bake the cake and that would be about all.

So yes I do feel the same way, just a reminder what the"season" is all about anyway, not decorations or the baking , Jesus is the season, spread a little love around, give more, um that cookies and cake would be great to give someone.

I am rambling, sorry, but I just wanted to put my 3 cents in for a change. psychomomquilter

i think for years we(hubby and I) forgot what christmas was about. we did decorate inside and outside,was overboard with gifts.But for the past 3-4 years we cut way back, our health is not what it used to be. we will have all our kids and grandkids on Sunday before Christmas. then our holiday is free to do what we want with other family and our church family.
i should say he has and i have kids from previous marriages, so that why we do it earlier. merry christmas everyone and happy new year

I love Christmastime also. But I am not all about gifts and gift giving. I am about decorations and celebrating with friends and family. We love taking the grandchildren out for a ride at night to look at the "pretties" as my one grandson named them when he just started to talk. They are amazed at all the lights and decorations people put up. We love getting together with family and just talking about what is going on and watching the grandchildren play and all the hugs and kisses that are given. Gifts are nice but overrated, I think. Many people are just plain rude at this time of year. I was always taught to accept a gift and keep your mouth shut if you do not like it. nuf said