christmas coming

[hensleyll]

We found ours at brandywine auto parts in hughesville md,the first one we bought off craigslist

[hensleyll]

Well hopefully all will work out have two gifts taken care only need 20 more

[sdecaro558]

Christmas isn't about the money or gifts - it's about celebrating Christ's birth.

[plennis]

Yes, we all know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ.    But the little guys don't understand why they get no gifts.  The ones from about 5 - 10 sort of understand, but it is the most difficult for them to get nothing.  So make things, or plan family (inexpensive) outings together.    We have a tradition where we get or make chili dogs then go driving around (I know with the price of gas, this may be out!) for an evening to look at lights and decorations.  We have a cookie exchange party at the beginning of the month, its great because then you have such a big variety of cookies to give out as gifts to people you want to remember but have no money to!  The mailman (our mailman looks forward to it, he starts asking about the party around Thanksgiving!), the trash collector.  It's a great gift for friends who just don't like to bake, but like to have goodies around for the holidays.    We have a family dinner, only each course is at a different house.  This way we see all the decorations, but the cost of the meal doesn't fall on one person.  I also shop throughout the year at sales (with coupons only) if I see anything that I know someone will like or enjoy (right after Christmas you can get great deals on mittens, gloves, knit hats and scarves or sets of them, and it is something always appreciated).    We make coupons for family members.  My daughter with small children gets babysitting coupons, our grandmother who doesn't drive gets transportation coupons  (we will driver her where she wants to go), coupons to do yard work (snow shoveling or leaf raking) or coupons for housework or cooking and cleaning up a dinner).  You can come up with lots of ideas. When we lived in Colorado, we use to cut, deliver and stack fire wood as a gift, then they think of you every time they are warming in front of the fire.  The gathering of the wood is a great time to have a picnic  with the family, some family  members can't do the physical work for the wood, but they can bring the lunch.  I have a son-in-law who works for the studios, we get discounted movie tickets and you can also get the refreshment certificates too. As a family volunteer a your favorite charity or soup kitchen.   Lots of these ideas cost you nothing but time, you just have to think out of the box a little.    Brain storm, your family may be able to come up with lots of inexpensive or FREE ideas.  The BEST gift is time, to be together.             

[ghunter]

It is about the kids anyway, Christmas, people have lost the meaning of the holiday, it is not your birthday it is suppose to be Christ birthday so let's praise the Lord if we live to see Christmas!

[StarlitNirvana]

Yes, we all know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ.    But the little guys don't understand why they get no gifts.  The ones from about 5 - 10 sort of understand, but it is the most difficult for them to get nothing.  So make things, or plan family (inexpensive) outings together.    We have a tradition where we get or make chili dogs then go driving around (I know with the price of gas, this may be out!) for an evening to look at lights and decorations.  We have a cookie exchange party at the beginning of the month, its great because then you have such a big variety of cookies to give out as gifts to people you want to remember but have no money to!  The mailman (our mailman looks forward to it, he starts asking about the party around Thanksgiving!), the trash collector.  It's a great gift for friends who just don't like to bake, but like to have goodies around for the holidays.    We have a family dinner, only each course is at a different house.  This way we see all the decorations, but the cost of the meal doesn't fall on one person.  I also shop throughout the year at sales (with coupons only) if I see anything that I know someone will like or enjoy (right after Christmas you can get great deals on mittens, gloves, knit hats and scarves or sets of them, and it is something always appreciated).    We make coupons for family members.  My daughter with small children gets babysitting coupons, our grandmother who doesn't drive gets transportation coupons  (we will driver her where she wants to go), coupons to do yard work (snow shoveling or leaf raking) or coupons for housework or cooking and cleaning up a dinner).  You can come up with lots of ideas. When we lived in Colorado, we use to cut, deliver and stack fire wood as a gift, then they think of you every time they are warming in front of the fire.  The gathering of the wood is a great time to have a picnic  with the family, some family  members can't do the physical work for the wood, but they can bring the lunch.  I have a son-in-law who works for the studios, we get discounted movie tickets and you can also get the refreshment certificates too. As a family volunteer a your favorite charity or soup kitchen.   Lots of these ideas cost you nothing but time, you just have to think out of the box a little.    Brain storm, your family may be able to come up with lots of inexpensive or FREE ideas.  The BEST gift is time, to be together.             

I really love a lot of these ideas, so creative. Thank you plennis for sharing them! I may have to try out the coupon idea 

[bholmes618]

I find Christmas season to be extremely stressful.  Not my favorite time of year.

[dauna]

I try to start getting ready for Christmas early because I find it less stressful to do this.  Still--it often feels as if I barely breathe between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  What I yearn for is peace and quiet and a chance to reflect.  What I often get is a lot of sound and fury that seems to signify very little.  I don't know why noise and chaos are often so much a part of the process.  I would sum it up this way:  I love Christmas, but I hate the "Holidays."

[sdenimandlace1]

WE will have a small Christmas this year, it will be nice just to stay at home and do nothing.

[dreamyxo]

I don't celebrate anyway so makes no difference to me.

[aconroy]

I know it's crazy how fast the year is almost over.

[sammywantsya]

i love xmas going to a trip very soon

[laurindat]

Christmas has become such a commercial holiday lately :- it ain't all about the money!

I actually just got a job in a few weeks ago, my first job ever! so I'll have more money to spend this year, although i probably won't be spending too much different from previous years.

[alaskakaren]

I'm always so happy when the holiday's are over.  I smile the day after New Years...

[pattersondebra]

I am also strapped so I have been buying gifts all year so it wont be so hard on my pocket book.