Words of wisdom we might all abide by. My immediate family is three and my extended family is my one and only sister her husband, children and grands. We give gifts to each other through church related ministry. Last year I gave my son Soccer Balls that went to a boys mission school. My sister and brother-in-law received a goats that went to support as family in Africa and we helped build a well at Christmas also. This was done with the help of my sister and husband. My other children come off of the Salvation Army Christmas Tree and. We hav been so blessed in our lives that this seemed the best way for us to celebrate Christmas.

We do not celebrate Christmas with presents. We have what we call a "First Fire." This is the first fire we put in our fireplace on the first really cold night of the year, we usually plan it on a weekend. The date varies, but we know it will be in either November or December. On this night, we bring something to share foodwise, a little wine and basically sit around the fireplace, no TV or radio or stereo. We talk about our year, how it went, our joys, concerns, eat popcorn, listen to the fire and just "chill" as my youngest daughter likes to say. It is soothing, it does not entail presents, everyone can either participate or just snooze in front of the fire. The kids play in the room around us as we sit in front of the fire or sleep on someones lap. We make plans to keep everyone over night because we usually talk until the wee hours and in the morning have a BIG breakfast. Everyone goes home. Over the years I have asked the girls if they want to continue to do this and the answer is a resounding Yes.

Thank you. You made me stop and remember the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful just to have my family around me on this beautiful day.

Our family quit giving gifts about 4 years ago and just have a nice dinner, It's so much more relaxing and
A lot less stress. We don't miss it at all.

We've cut way back on gifts too as we just don't need them to have a wonderful meal together and a family day. My kids are all young adults and I buy a few simple things (socks, mitts,
chocolate) and give them $ to spend at the Boxing Day sales right after Christmas. That way
they can buy the clothes or electronics they want and I don't have to worry about sizes and
colours and exchanges when items don't fit. It works well for us.

Having a 12 yr old daughter, we still do the gift thing because she enjoys it, but we always pick an older person that we know lives on a very limited budget and take in grocery staple items for them plus things like toilet paper, dish and laundry detergent, canned goods, sugar, flour, etc.

Since my sons and their families live too far away to visit and sending gifts in the mail has gotten so expensive our Christmas gift from them are a phone call from each. Living on SSA is hard enough and our check comes in on the 4th Weds of the month. This month it will be in on the 28th. Three days after Christmas. I do like to send cookies, that if my two sons do not get they would be dissapointed, and a few small things for each of the members of the families but we usually buy after Christmas (50% off) and they have something to look forward to after the New Year. Other then that I miss the traditions that we had before they moved away and have my own little pity party and then pull up my Big Girl Pants and go on with the New Year. Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas (how ever you spent it) and a Very Happy New Year!!!

We've scaled back because of retirement funds being so little and the kids are grown and have their own houses and lives. One son and DIL always give us an updated family pic already framed and that is special to me. The older kids like money so that's easy and the little ones are easy to buy a gift or two for. We don't spend lots of money but I'm making things this year. I've always done large cookie and candy boxes for each family and I do that for my neighbors also. It's the little things that make the holidays for me.