"Missing the Point;;Perhaps the most common money mistake is getting so caught up in the traditions of the season that you forget the meaning. Gift-giving shows generosity and appreciation to the ones you love--something that you can accomplish without spending a cent."
Forbes.com
I feel like the reason of Christmas is slowly fading every year. It seems to me its becoming about the presents. I just don't like that. I love Christmas, probably is my favorite holiday. I love being with my family. I love the food. I love the lights. I love decorating. I can care less about the money spending gifts. The statement above is so true. Honestly I can think of better ways to show someone I appreciate and love them than buying a gift.
Next year we are going to go a whole new approach with Christmas gift giving. I really wish I thought of it sooner for this year but I didn't. Right now we are on a strict, strict budget and its getting really hard to stick to when gifts are more expensive than expected. So next year we are going to do crafts & baked goods for everyone. And I think it will have more of a meaning than some overly priced gifted!
Take how my family celebrates Christmas as an example of being with family, having fun & not breaking budget! We all get together on New Years day, eat some good home cooked food, laugh, catch up with one an other & have a fun $5 Yankee swap/Secret Santa! Not going over the $5 might seem hard but my Grandma says be creative! And you know what, we all end up finding something different. In the end we all are having fun & laughing, making memories that will forever last. To me that is Christmas. Being with family, eating good food, making memories. And not one person ends up breaking their budget!
Take how my family celebrates Christmas as an example of being with family, having fun & not breaking budget! We all get together on New Years day, eat some good home cooked food, laugh, catch up with one an other & have a fun $5 Yankee swap/Secret Santa! Not going over the $5 might seem hard but my Grandma says be creative! And you know what, we all end up finding something different. In the end we all are having fun & laughing, making memories that will forever last. To me that is Christmas. Being with family, eating good food, making memories. And not one person ends up breaking their budget!
However I don't mind overly spending on the boys. They are Justin & mine responsibility. We have the right to spoil them but even still we have a strict budget. I don't want them growing up EXPECTING gifts from everyone or a TON of gifts from Santa. I want them to understand Christmas is about being with family, showing those you care about that you appreciate them while making life long memories.
This year we are slightly breaking our budget and its very stressful. I don't think stress should come with Christmas. I am going to make a few baked goods with the boys to give to those we are not able to buy for. Knowing that gives me a slight ease of mind.
I really like this entry.. everything above is true. I actually adopted your idea for the craft thing - my husband and I don't want to spend a TON of money on extended family so we decided to go to Michaels and we're gonna make Mikky draw and "paint" so we can make ornaments for everyone by her from all of us. I completely agree - Christmas is for the children - we are making a strict budget too.. no $100 gift cards coming from us, I don't care if I make anyone angry either! The baked goods is a really cute idea too! I might have to do that for friends and neighbors - you're pretty creative when it comes to gift giving! :]
ReplyDeleteThanks, my Grandma actually gave me the idea to do baked good because someone (family) this year requested us no to buy them gifts and I just feel horrible not getting them something or do anything for them.
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