Christmas panic

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You need to change your way of thinking regarding xmas. It is not about the presents, or how expensive or nice they are. It is about family, friends, love, etc.If you have an extremely limited amount to spend on xmas, then that is what you have. Do you have the type of family that would understand a phone call or letter explaining that you would like them to consider not buying xmas presents for the adults anymore? I thought, when I did it in my family, that it would not be well received, but it was. Everyone jumped on board with it immediately. Now we just buy for the kids, and it makes life so much easier on all, not to mention we don’t get stuck with presents we don’t want. Whatever members of the family I am with that year I make the adults a batch of homemade cookies, treats, whatever is their favorite thing I make. They love it, as they don’t cook much, so it is well appreciated and
used. Doesn’t cost much money for that, and about an hour of time at the most. That would also work for the day care person. Or a baking mix or some other mix in a jar. Again, ingredients are not expensive, and it is homemade, so frankly, everyone I know would like that better than store bought anyways. Try a soup mix, beans are very inexpensive. I know you said you didn’t have a lot of time because of school, 2 year old, etc. Well, school will be out sometimes, so you could also consider giving the adults in your life coupons for such things as babysitting, mowing the lawn, cleaning their house, running errands, coming to their house and cooking up a weeks worth of meals (they have the ingredients ready), that kind of thing. Put the dates available to be used on there, so they understand it is only between semesters. If you knit or crochet, that can be easily done between classes, at night while watching tv, etc.
Scarfs and/ or hats do not take much time and cost very little. Again, the homemade is better to most people. It shows you gave thought and love and time. As for your 2 year old – she won’t care where the stuff comes from, she won’t care about brands, she won’t care if new or used (good philosophies to keep up with by the way – my son is 14 and his favorite way to shop is consignment./thrift stores – he loves getting a bargain. ). Go to a consignment or thrift store and see what is there. You’d be surprized. ORganize a toy swap amongst the other moms you know with kids of similar ages. I am very glad I don’t have a child that young anymore – all the lead from China – yeesh!! I have a friend who is going to give her 2 and 3 year olds large cardboard boxes for xmas as part of their presents. She says they usually play with the boxes as much as the toys anyways, so she is getting sizes from refrig
on down, and helping them create their own clubhouses, caves, streets, whatever in their livingroom. Just move the furniture and let the imagination go. The kids are going to be allowed to decorate as they like. She will have crayons, markers, stickers, etc. for them to use. She feels it should last thru winter when you can’t really go outside anyways. I wish I had thought of that when my son was little – that would have been the best xmas present he ever received. Anyways, hope I gave you some good ideas. Remember, it is not the quality or quantity, it is the thought and love. Virg

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