Xmas and why I suddenly feel like the grinch!!

[dfr1973]

I am still trying to understand the mentality of skipping bills to fund gift shopping ... and still failing at it. Are all these folks talking about skipping utility bills aware of the reconnect fees if they get cut off?

 

[chics in the sun]

Seriously, I didn't think people really did that, at least not enough that you would work with several of them. That's just ridiculous. You have the right idea, Ema. Your children will thank you for it in the end. They will have one of the greatest gift a parent can give - the gift of common sense and self-control when it comes to budgeting. Even better, tney will have their priorities in order and know the true meaning of Christmas and family. Stickto your plan. It's wonderful.

 

[Marcymom3]

You are definitely not a grinch! As the other poster said, he stole the spirit of Christmas. Overspending, greed, criticism, feuding are not what this holiday is about. The simplicity of being together, putting your creative talents to use to make gifts, baking with your daughter and being at peace with yourself are the secrets to happy Christmas. Knowing that your bills are paid and you have not made debt for yourself in lean times is the best part! Think about the best gift you ever got. It was probably something that someone made for you or that you really needed.

When we were kids, my mom used to buy my Christmas babydoll in August or September and give it to my Grandmaw. She would make complete wardrobes for her...dresses, a coat, panties, slips, little crocheted socks, and crocheted hats and scarves that matched the coat. She didn't buy any of the materials but used scraps from other projects she and my mom had collected throughout the year. My grandfather was an upholsterer and he always had scraps of naugahyde (pleather) and he made little shoes and boots for the dolls. One year, mine even had a pleather raincoat and hat. I had the best dressed dolls in the neighborhood. It wasn't until I was grown that I found out about this project. I saved one of the dolls and her wardrobe, but sadly they did not last.

Grandmaw also made nightgowns or pajamas for all of her eleven grandchildren every Christmas. Mine were always extra long because she knew that my feet were always cold and I wrapped them up in my gown. There was drawstring at hip height so I could tie it up at the waist when I got up. She thought of everything. She put extra pockets on mine too and best of all, she made a gown for my doll that she put in the pocket of mine. I looked forward to those cozy flannel gowns every year until she passed away. I was 30 when she died and I think I wore the last couple of gowns for another 10 years.

These are 50 year+ memories that I cherish. I assure you that your children will remember the things you make for them more than they will the plastic made in China stuff that gets tossed in the toy box in a month. THey will also learn a very valuable lesson about what Christmas is really about.

As to the other 16 hour away family. You are wasting your time and getting stressed out even discussing this with them. Let them do their thing and you do yours. Keep Christ in Christmas and you will not go wrong.

 

[zengrrl]

I say stick to your guns! We also have family that has fallen on hard times but you would never know it by the amount of junk they are buying for Xmas. It's not about stuff.

 

[TinaK]

I also agree... NO GRINCH HERE! If only everyone was blessed with your creativity and sensibility!

My husband and I have recently relocated to purchase a small farm, taken on new jobs and have been struggling ever since. I have been dreaming of being able to make homemade hampers full of goodies for everyone but time is slowly slipping away and I don't have much in the way of fresh produce to use.

My sisters & I love buying gifts for each other (we are all grown adults). We spoil each other to put it bluntly... but this year it will be hard. I can't really justify the $100+ to spend on each of my sisters when I'm barely living on $100 a week after we pay the mortgage etc.... but you do what you can do.

Nothing warms my heart more than giving someone a gift that I know they will love... whether it is homemade or store purchased it doesn't matter. It is always the thought that counts...

I just keep having to remind myself of this when I'm thinking of presents for this Christmas.

 

[Stephanie739]

Quote:
Nope. Not being a grinch. The Christmas season has become a joke, one in which many families cannot afford. I'm sick of it already. Perhaps I am the grinch....we will be doing very little, if anything. What IS the true meaning of Christmas? Its nothing to me anymore other than additional stress and heartache.

 

[Stephanie739]

Quote:
This is really beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mahonri]

If you are the grinch, then so am I.

We just cannot afford to spend like we used to.

Christmas will mean much more this year.

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:
Nope. Not being a grinch. The Christmas season has become a joke, one in which many families cannot afford. I'm sick of it already. Perhaps I am the grinch....we will be doing very little, if anything. What IS the true meaning of Christmas? Its nothing to me anymore other than additional stress and heartache.

The Christmas season has become far too commercialized, I agree, and many of us do put far too much pressure on ourselves. It wasn't until I realized that I was wearing myself out making work for myself that hubs and I decided to simplify. We put up one Christmas tree (what's the point of one in every room anyway??) with ornaments we've collected over the years that have special meaning. A simple green wreath with a red bow is on our front door. We don't have a bazillion lights on our house, but when our porch light is on, it shines on that simple wreath. Our holidays have been much better as a result.

We put up a huge, beautiful train garden in a spare bedroom for our grandchildren. Our friends bring their grandkids to see it and we let them run the trains. It takes hours and days to do it, but it's a time that hubs and I enjoy. We spend the time together talking about the year that has past...sometimes bad things happened (loss of our parents) and sometimes good (birth of our grandchildren) but time together is precious. Our family celebrates on Christmas Eve with a meal and small gifts. Beautiful time together that we all look forward to.

Have you heard seen the picture of the Wise Men following the star with the caption, "Wise men still seek Him?" That's what it is to me, a time to anticipate the birth of the Savior. The rest is just fluff.

 

[Stephanie739]

A few years ago, my daughter was given an invitation and application at school for a secret santa project, just something for the poorer children in which other families "adopted" children and gave them a few Christmas gifts. Before I go any further, she had received a nice package of surprises a year earlier from a similar program. We were both very grateful and thankful to the giver's generosity. The next year, she and I waited in line to receive her package from Santa for about 2 hours, the same program in which she was again invited to participate. When most of the people had left, I asked about my daughter and was told that not all the names had been chosen. Ouch. (for the record, there weren't any special requests. She just said she liked horses, crafts, and girly things like jewelry and makeup, stuff like that) Thankfully, someone in the parking lot gave her a stuffed animal upon realizing what happened. This year, we received the applications again and I put them in the trash. However the school called me and asked if my 2 youngest children would like to participate in another program that had openings. I kindly thanked her and submitted the applications without the knowledge of my children. I will go to the pickup place alone, and will be very thankful if my children receive a package. If not, oh well. I'm about done with Christmas anyway. My children are blessed with gifts throughout the year whenever I am able. I love to buy them gifts, but I'm tired of the proverbial gun to my head to keep up with the Christmas expectations. Its stupid