Chrsitmas 2013

[Cathie]

108 days 

I'm helping right?? 

[mooremama]

NO!!!  You're not helping my stress levels. 

I just really don't have any ideas about Christmas this year.  None of us need a thing.  Last year the ideas were plentiful...this year I can't think of a thing. 

I do have a few things bought but I can't think of the "big" gift for Aaron and Caylon.  Last year we got Aaron a heated mattress pad which he loved and we got Caylon a really pretty comforter set which she loves. 

I'm just really at a loss this year.....

Beth

[MoWin]

For the first time ever, I am considering not making anything for the kids or grandkids. Just not feeling it this year. I think they will get gifts bought online. At the moment, I have no ideas at all. Hopefully I will get some ideas as the time gets closer. 
Blessings,
Winona

[Cathie]

Beth ~ hahahahha 

Winona ~ really I am surprised to hear you say that - I love seeing your homemade gifts but totally get what you are saying. 

[Cheryl]

108 days is way too soon for me!  I am never ready.   Emily seems to want to watch all the commercials for toys before making her list!

Several years ago we eliminated a lot of stress from our lives by only buying for our kids.  For the 9 -year -old, we buy 3 gifts, with one of those being a "big" or somewhat big gift.  We give our oldest and her husband money or a gift card for something I know they really want.  We started out buying gifts for the grandbabies but have decided to just give them money for their piggy banks.  My daughter has a small home and has nowhere to put a lot of toys anyway. 

[Pat in Tenn]

I have actually already bought some gifts! Lol... When I see things on sale, I grab it....

But I am also looking at making a few things this also.... Time to start thinking about all of this....

[Leahsgarden]

We're planning to skip Christmas this year. At least the gift giving part. We anticipate moving at the beginning of January, the last thing we need is something else to pack up! I'll be letting my family know, so they don't feel obligated to send gifts to us. I'm not sure how Chris' family is going to take it.

Christmas turned out very poorly last year, so we need to make changes anyhow.

[mooremama]

Leah,

I completely understand wanting to skip the gift giving part of Christmas. 

Honestly I can't think of a thing I need and my kids can't think of anything they need.  My grandkids are over-run with toys and clothes, we have 3 bicycles in the driveway, sandboxes, battery operated Jeeps and cars.....ENOUGH!!!

Lainey's birthday is in October, Holden's is in January and then Christmas is right in the midst of it, it just gets to be completely overwhelming.

To be honest....I just dread it.

Beth

[Cheryl]

Beth, my grandson's birthday is September 25, my granddaughter's birthday is December 21, then comes Christmas just days later, so I feel like you do.

The perfect gift for me would be for everyone to get together, share a meal, and just spend time together.   

[mooremama]

YES!! Cheryl.

I wouldn't mind going back to the days of a big family meal and then oranges and peppermint sticks for the kids.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?  I guess we could do something along those lines in our family...there's no rules saying we can't but the peer pressure and social pressures make it almost impossible. 

Beth

[Cathie]

YES!! Cheryl.

I wouldn't mind going back to the days of a big family meal and then oranges and peppermint sticks for the kids.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?  I guess we could do something along those lines in our family...there's no rules saying we can't but the peer pressure and social pressures make it almost impossible. 

Beth

make your own rules 

we do Christmas dinner of Fettuccine Alfredo  - no pressure dinner, easy for me and my family loves it - not traditional but it is for us now

[Cathie]

http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/non-traditional-and-fun-ways-to-celebrate-christmas-this-year/7/

this might be a fun way to do it

- $5 homemade gift certificate to sonic

- ugliest thing I could find a the thrift store

I don't know this could be fun

[Cathie]

I am seriously thinking of doing away with the stockings

I spend a lot of money on that

[Cathie]

or perhaps have all the adults names in a hat a pick one name and put a limit on that

[MoWin]

I did away with the stockings a few years ago, Cathie. No point in doing it for our grown children, and their parents do it for the grandkids. So I decided enough is enough. LOL I do make up a goodie bag for each of the grands with cookies, candy, hot cocoa, gum, etc. Worked good last year. I bought lunch size red/white striped sacks. They turned out quite cute.

We did the draw names out of a hat for several years, but have even discontinued that.  It is hard to buy a gift for someone you are not around a lot. So no more gift exchange at moms.

Blessings,
Winona