Christmas Idea

[heidiiiii]

Chelsea came up to me yesterday and wanted to talk about Christmas. In my head I was like *oh boy..here we go!*

But it was the total opposite. She wants us (as a family) to do something for others in need this Christmas. And she wants to stop feeding the commercialization of the holidays.

She did say we should not have a totally present-less christmas but no more extremes. I am so happy..leaping and dancing in my head!

Natalie is actually on board. So we are going to do secret santa. and only spend $50 a piece. $200! For Christmas! Pinch me cause I am dreaming!!

We are going to look up and call up local organizations to see where we can help out. I am already doing the dh, I always donate my free turkey from Shoprite to the food pantry up the street. So maybe help cook or dish out the food on Christmas? Or the days before Christmas?

I dont know but I will keep you informed.

$200! That is a christmas present in itself!

Does anyone else do this?

[Wolfie]

There are many very poor families here in Seeley Lake. Most of us on our street bake and cook and take bags of foodstuffs and toys and small gifts for the parents on the day before Christmas. Some of the lumberjacks here in town also cut small trees and give them out as well. We here in Seeley take care of our own. The churches serve dinners on the major holidays and one church and the senior center serve meals pretty much all year round. The girls that I have been gifting with dolls and toys have moved away, but I have a new crop of little boys that I'm helping out.

Because of our street, many of the other streets in town are beginning to do the same. We have since branched out to the next town over and we see good things happening all over. It's such a good feeling.

Doug and I do not "do up" Christmas the way we used to. We have our tree up, and this year Doug will have his train. We give small presents to each other but nothing the way we used to. We send some cash to our children and grandchildren, but we don't indulge the way we used to either. We try to keep it within our budget so that if things come up we are not stuck trying to rob Peter to pay Paul if you know what I mean.

Christmas has become so very commercialized. People don't like to make their own ornaments anymore evidently as seen by the crowds buying expensive ornaments in the stores. I even use some of my own dolls to hang on the tree now. And I get great pleasure in seeing them there!

I hope there are more people who help out those in need during this most sacred day in Christian faith and think of them every day as well.

Wolfie

[CJEP]

My family has played around with various forms of this. My sisters and I have decided not to buy gifts for each other and spouses. We buy them for my nephew (the only child so far) and my parents. We have always not bought expensive gifts for each other. Usually not more than $30 and that is pushing it. My parents usually spend/give us about $50 each and have been doing that for years. For our extended family, we have gone to my aunt's house and she has everyone who wants to bring a $10 or less Christmas decoration to do a Yankee swap style thing.

We give money to charities at Christmas and give to Toys for Tots, but haven't done much else in that way yet.

[uppitycats]

My family -- both mine and my husband -- stopped doing Christmas years ago. We are all old people, there are very few family members under the age of 20 -- some grandnieces and nephews that we never see, for example -- and we are all fortunate in that we have roofs over our heads, our own pantries full, and really have no need..and not much "want"...for anything more.

Instead my husband and I make charitable donations to a couple of different groups, then tell folks that in the Christmas cards we still send. And they do the same "back" to us, sometimes contributing to the same groups, other times contributing to groups of their choice.

I don't make a lot of local contributions -- EVERYONE here does that between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and privately the folks at the food pantry have told me that they WISHED folks would remember "the poor" in the midst of summer when the pantries are empty, rather than now when they start bursting at the seams with contributions. So that's what we do -- drop off bags of stuff between May and October, or sometimes send a check.

I do continue to do a lot of holiday baking, but have scaled back there too, as there are just the two of us, and how much can we eat??

We celebrate Winter Solstice anyway -- December 21, the longest "night" of the year, -- with a big bonfire in the yard (we live on 15 acres; don't do this in your suburban back yard!! ), shoot off a small cannon, otherwise beg the gods to bring back the light. So far it seems to have worked!!

Last year I decorated the Garfield with her own Christmas Tree and strings of lights on her porch, and set up my little Greenleaf Village that I'd won last year during the Halloween Madness. We'll probably decorate Garfield and Brimble this year, and maybe the Washington, now that he's nearly done...

[SallyG]

When my kids were little, we'd go to Wal-Mart and pick a name of a child off the tree they set up. The kids would then help me pick out things for him/her, wrap it, and deliver it back to the store.

They were never into getting a lot for Christmas...their father would always take them on a ski trip during the Christmas holidays and that was their big gift and what they really preferred. Now they are all grown and prefer gift cards. That way they can pick out what they really want or need and they are happy. My mother as well has discovered gift cards and loves them because she's 78 and doesn't need "things"...she wants that extra $$$ she can use to buy her necessities. The only gifts we really buy are for my brothers 4 children, who are all under 10.

My husband and I usually come up with something we want...sometimes it's something for BOTH of us..sometimes we each want our own special gift.

I'd love to do Christmas cards, but with the price of stamps, forget it. My parents used to send and receive tons of Christmas cards when I was a kid, and I miss that tradition.

In the last few years I've gotten into the nostalgia of Christmas as a kid. I collect the old Shiny Brite ornaments after my mother gave me the ones she had when I was a kid. I was totally in love with them, and the memories they brought back. My husband as well loved them. This year I wanted to do a silver aluminum tree...however, my husband vetoed that idea.

We just enjoy a simple celebration of Christmas....and Christmas Eve we have an open house for everyone; friends, family, co-workers.

I miss the days of kids being little and waiting for Santa...but I also remember spending all night Christmas Eve putting together a 4 piece kitchen set..."easily assembled" (sure!)...and getting 5 minutes of sleep before the kids roared into action.

[Librarian-Sarah]

Now that we're all grown and none of us "kids" have kids yet, We buy 1 gift for each person, but there's an unspoken limit of $20-30 or so per gift. (we're a small family--just mom, dad, my brother and I, and each of our spouses, which makes it doable). When Daniel (little bro) and I were still in our "newlywed and broke" phase, our family did the Secret Santa thing for a few years so we all only bought 1 gift apiece. As for charity, we generally do the angel tree thing, but tend to space out the rest of our giving through the year. (our goal is 10%, though we haven't quite hit that. We give half of that to our church and the rest to our Alma Mater and various social services/civil rights organizations we care about)

[Wolfie]

Our Christmas tree is pretty colorful and is covered with ornaments - both glass and handmade. One of my greatest treasures are 12 lovely ornament Doug got a few years ago at Costco. All resin and glass and very heavy and when shaken there are glitters flying around. He also bought me lovely little fuzzy teddybears about 8" tall all dressed in hand knitted sweaters and hats! They are treasures to me and they go on the tree too, along with a lot of stuffed animals collected over the years. I also have a sitting wolf that goes under the tree. There are also lots of wrapped faux gifts! At least it looks like there are lots of presents under the trees. But the covers come off and ornaments are put inside those wrapped boxes and all packed away! Then there are the handmade and hand painted ornaments. And porcelain dolls as well. Lots of santas and glass ornaments. We don't use tinsel because of the cats. Anyway I think Doug's present of something he's been wanting for many years now - the train - is his only present this year. As for me? Well he did fix my kiln and he has renewed my subscription to Dolls House Magazine, and that is fine with me. That is the gift that keeps on giving as far as I am concerned. We do more for others than for ourselves. But the tree is the one tradition that we do. We do not send out Christmas cards anymore due to the price, but I do send holiday greetings to those who have email.

I too miss the old Chrismtasses and remember wonderful years with my family when I was younger. And I remember the beautiful cards we all used to send. I have 4 boxes of beautiful cards I've saved over the years so I always put them out too. Good memories from my parents and children and friends. I don't care that they are old, they are my Christmas treasures.

Wolfie

[heidiiiii]

I have always fretted over Christmas. My family always wanted this and that. It had to be big full tree with big full mountain of gifts underneath. Then my kids expected the same thing. It was a bad tradition to start, I know but that is how I was brought up. I couldnt and cant compete with that anymore..especially at this time in life.

I am so glad they suggested it. You do not know how I feel. That knot in my stomach is gone and that big weight on my back has been lifted. I dont have to worry if they are going to be disappointed or not because this year we know what is expected. Plus MF looks like a tree climber. I may have to put up the table top tree this year to be on the safe side.

Within walking distance is a food pantry warehouse that collects food that is distributed to all the food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens. I think first we should help out with sorting food. This work we will be doing will also help Natalie with her mandated 40 hours of community service for high school too.

Then we could help out at a church or soup kitchen on christmas or one of the days before christmas if they need help then.

We could bake (ask if there are any restrictions first) here at home and bring it to the site.

[uppitycats]

Heidi, I think your plans sound lovely! I'll bet at the end of the holiday you'll all agree it was the "best Christmas ever!!"

[Wolfie]

Heidi, there is a certain feeling you get when you help out and it's such a good feeling. I love to see the looks on both children's and adult's faces when they realize that people are generally trying to help them without expecting anything in return. I love it, and that good feeling you get lasts and lasts. I honestly don't mind not getting anything for Christmas anymore. We just get very small items between ourselves. The feeling I get on those fabulous days more than compensates for over doing on ourselves. And the friends you make - all that is priceless.

Wolfie

[madhatter]

I think its so wonderful to hear our youth becoming aware of how christmas has been twisted. We own a store and i always try to find unique orn or handmade items from local artists to decorate our tree. I also make alot for the store myself, This year im making felt stockings, i make all our beeswax candles, ect. Ive started taking christmas cards and cutting them up to make orn, for our tree. They look great and i add a little gltter and such to them, but when you look at them you remember who gave them to you, because on the back side i always write who sent them.

As for giving during the holidays, ive done this before too, my hubbie and i both asked our relitives to give childrens donations as in toys to the local drive instead of our boys. Im still trying to decide what to do this year.?

jenn

[GrammieCal]

With six children, Christmas was great fun but a big, expensive madhouse that always involved putting something together in the wee hours with indecipherable instructions and missing parts. Now that everyone's grown up, some with children of their own, we have come to our senses and we draw a name for the recipient of a nice gift, and give everyone else a stocking stuffer. Everyone donates the difference to charities of their choice. The grandchildren do receive gifts from all up to a certain age.

The real fun is the Yankee Swap, which always coincides with the cocktail hour before Christmas Day dinner. Oh, what fun! There's never been any shortage of laughter and fun in our family, so the Yankee Swap is the perfect vehicle for more of the same.

We still do a tree and decorate the house, though I have to admit sometimes looking somewhat longingly at those pre-lighted and decorated trees. But we'd all miss the heavenly aroma of a real tree, and we have boxes of wonderful ornaments, many from my parents' collection, that everyone loves and would miss seeing.

And we've finally gotten smart and time the tree decorating to our childrens' arrival! I've made many of our ornaments and am teaching my grandchildren that it's great to make ornaments and wreaths instead of having to buy everything.

I used to make all the gifts I gave, when I had fewer children and more time. I enjoyed that much more than going shopping. In 1962 I was expecting my 2nd baby, now DS #2, who was due on Christmas Day (but had the good sense to wait until Dec 28th). So I went into high gear and had everything made by Dec 1, and even made gifts for my best friend's children.

I have never again had everything finished by December first or even close, but the name draw and the Yankee swap have pared down, de-stressed and simplified everything, and put the real meaning back into Christmas. And with Christmas now in the stores before Halloween, that's more of a challenge than ever.

[heidiiiii]

For anybody that doesnt know what a Yankee swap is..here are the rules.

It can be lots of fun!

[goodteach0]

Heidi,

Your plan sounds wonderful. It sounds like a winner all the way around.

Your daughters really are cool.

[Anna]

Hmm, we at times have a "Christmas gift game" sort of like the Yankee gift I think....

We all bring two in-expensive gifts, often decide up front on the amount spent on each gift, then all of the gifts are piled upon the table, everyone settled around it, two dices (?) that are place in two "croners" (ie diagonally across the table) and we all agree upon a digit from 1-6 that will be "it". Set the timer for lets say 7 minutes, then the dices go around clock wise and whenever you get the deicded face on the dice you get to pick a present from the middle of the table, when there aren't any gifts left on the table middle you get to "steal" from each other, then when the timer rings we all open the presents one has in one' s pile. Then it is time for the second round which gives the opportunity of seeing the gifts/items involved and the next r9ound starts where you will be able to "steal" from each other when the dice show the agreed upon value until the bell rings again... It can be a lot of fun and also soemwhat stressfull, but all in all a lot of friendly competition... We don't do it at home as such, but it is a game that is played at some houses and some company Christmas parties...

Hugs

[Nancy in Renton]

We've slowed down on Christmas decorating at our house. It's jus the two of us, seldom visitors on normal days, let alone holidays. My grown children live in other states. The last 2 years our tree was something miniature, setting on a table (I have a 1/2 circle table against the wall). Whatever wrapped presents we have go under the tree. Litterly, lift up the tree, set it on top of the gift pile.

DH and I are pretty self spoiled and if we need something, we get it at the moment. (In October???). My son in the Navy always says "what do you want for Christmas". It's a big deal to them and they insist on sending presents. Since he's hoping one day to be a preacher, last year I told him to donate to a missionary family and not send presents. Oh well, they sent presents any way. (Can't change the adults idea of Christmas giving, it's part of DIL family traditions.)

Here's a picture of the roombox from year before last, lights on.

Nancy

[Petite Crafter]

As a child, I always had lots of presents neath the tree - but they were payback for the rest of the days of the year that our parents were not home.

When I married, I determined that my kids would not go through that. When my kids were little, we always had a big Christmas - but mainly because that was the only time of the year they got 'toys' and non-necessities bought or made for them. We were not ones to buy the kids toys or anything every time we went to town, or into a store. They had their big Christmas, and that was basically it.

There are many siblings in my family, and each year we draw names. We each buy a gift, limit of $25.00, have a large family get together the weekend before Christmas, eat dinner, open gifts, and play games with the little ones.

As for my kids, being grown and married, and kids of their own, we set a limit for everyone so it will not get out of hand. We do spend a little more on the grandchildren, but really, not all that much. When you consider prices of everything these days, limits have to be held very reasonable. I love making any and all gifts that I can. Year before last, one of the grandkids big gifts was a handmade quilt for their room.

The real meaning of Christmas has long ago been destroyed due to all the commercialism, and I feel it is up to the older ones in our family to forget the commercialism, and keep the meaning of Christmas alive. We donate monies to needy organizations all year round, rather than just big donations just at Christmas time. It is nice to see folks down on their have a delicious Chirstmas dinner, and some gifts, but it is also nice to help see that they eat the rest of the year, too!

Alot of the crochet groups make items all year long, but don't donate them till Christmas, which don't get me wrong, that's great - but it is also a good feeling to donate things for example when you have a couple of dozen of something made - at any time of the year. It gives organizations time to work out distribution plans, etc. My church makes alot of the 'lapghans' and lap quilts for people in chairs, and gives them year round, too. We have a local organization that does canned food collections several times throughout the year - that is always a big help too.

There are many ways to celebrate, and enjoy the holidays - to me, they don't have to be commercial to get the most enjoyment from them. The best enjoyment is family, and all the many get togethers!

[Hallowell]

We stopped buying for Christmas many years ago, we just share with each other all year and we call that our Christmas gifts to each other.

[chesterfieldzoo]

I buy flowers for our parents and giftcards for a niece and a nephew. I hand over my credit card to my 2 adult girls and say go buy what you want, wrap it and stick it under your tree or buy something you need. (one got a new staircase handrail that I installed-I gave her a list of what I needed and she picked out the wood and stain). That is all the shopping I do. I think people who spend every dime they have (and then some) buying gifts for every person they have ever known is insane. Been there, done that. Will never do it again.

Christmas should be fun, not a punishment. I see people shopping in stores fighting with the kids and spouses. They are crabby and rude and arguing with cashiers. Kids are crying. No thank you. I stop going to stores about December 15.

We do decorate like madmen around here though. I put up thousands of lights in the yard (front and back) and 25 trees and several villages.

[jeninky]

There are several programs in Kentucky.. But one that I take part and helping is

Shop with a Trooper.. Kentucky State Trooper takes kids shopping at Wal-Mart and

gets them an outfit and shoes then a toy or toys depends on how much they have left over..

It is very rewarding!!

Please do get out and help YOUR community.. You would be very suprised on who doesn't

have anything...

One of the kids we took last year came to the shopping day wearing dirty clothes..

His dad was disabled and only gets a certain amount a month and the child hunted for their meals cause they didn't have enough for groceries.. and of course they didn't have water or eletric..Needless to say we took them clothes and bikes and food for several months and got

their lights turned on for them..

Of course being boys (there were two of the boys) all they were excited about was getting

bicycles.. hehehe

[heidiiiii]

Heidi,

Your plan sounds wonderful. It sounds like a winner all the way around.

Your daughters really are cool.

Yeah, they can be cool.

They are both off to Boston this Saturday for a mini anti-war march. They are trying to start up a teen Answer club at Nat`s high school too. I guess I didnt churn out rotten kids afterall. (just kidding.)

[Lisa_F]

Christmas is huge at our house & we are all spoiled rotten when it comes to getting & giving gifts - commercialism or no - we like opening presents - they don't have to be expensive - truth is, I think we'd all rather get lotsa little gifts than one big expensive gift! There's a lot more that goes into our Christmas festivities (church, huge family & friends dinner, sharing with those less fortunate, decorating for the holidays, etc) but I'd be lying if I said that gifts weren't a big part of it :wub:

That being said, our family supports the local food bank, battered women's shelter, veteran's home and homeless men's shelter on a regular basis all year long. We tend to help out more during the summer month's because (at least around here) it seems like there's an overwhelming outpouring of help during the holidays and many of our local non-profits seem to get almost forgotten by the community during the summer months.

(Christmas at our house)

[heidiiiii]

Lisa, that is what our house usually looks like.

I just cant go there anymore. It is not only the money that is spent but the time and frustation of it all. Gotta hurry hurry hurry and get that special gift you saw on tv. Need to one-up myself from last year. It can be exhausting for me.

Natalies birthday is Oct. 28th, Mine and Fred`s b-days are in January, and Chelsea`s b-day is in February...so it never ends! Chelsea had a great idea. We all have our b-days so close to the holiday why not just do a lil at Christmas and a lil on our b-days. Natalie is getting an I-pod Nano and a couple other small gifts that I was able to squeeze in this one square box. The box is driving her crazy! LOL

Plus I promised the girls that we could go see Amy Sedaris in NYC next month for a craft thingy. (chelsea is trying to get me to go with her to a book reading of David Sedaris soon too..LOL)

So this will save my wallet and my sanity..hopefully..hahahaha

Plus it will show them both generosity in helping others.