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Well, We've been following my downsized Christmas, so far, so good, no stressing over gifts, shopping, bills, etc.
But its starting to nag at me. When I look at where our big, beautiful tree used to stand, and there's just that tabletop tree, I feel sad. We had a tradition of a dollhouse village, three dollhouses, a family, all with stories, the main family, grandma across the street, cousins down the road, throughout the year we'd find little things we'd think would be great with the dollhoiuse village. They even had their own tree, decorations, and would get presents on Christmas morning!
Ok, so, what would it cost to put that up---nothing! and this will probably be our last year in this house. Other traditons, like my nativity scenes, etc, I see a big hole where they used to be.
I'm trying to keep the costs down, but we have bought the kids 3 presents each, for the three kings. Each is getting a NIntendo, a watch, and a clock radio. All great buys on sale, so not too much money. I guess I was just so overwhelmed by the thought of the whole mess, but just no Christmas is too sad. so, here we go again! Its not too late!
Ok, so, what would it cost to put that up---nothing! and this will probably be our last year in this house. Other traditons, like my nativity scenes, etc, I see a big hole where they used to be.
Then put them up. You already have them. Just limit yourself to an amount that is easy to manage and enjoyable.
Then put them up. You already have them. Just limit yourself to an amount that is easy to manage and enjoyable.
Problem is, I have 20 boxes of ornaments, deocrations, etc, not labeled, so I would have to bring them all down to sort through to get just a few things. Well, perhaps this would be a good time to repack them, labeled and sorted, for the move. Ok, face it, we'd have to haul all that stuff out fo the attic and sort and pack, anyways, might as well enjoy it one last time.
Well, We've been following my downsized Christmas, so far, so good, no stressing over gifts, shopping, bills, etc.
But its starting to nag at me. When I look at where our big, beautiful tree used to stand, and there's just that tabletop tree, I feel sad. We had a tradition of a dollhouse village, three dollhouses, a family, all with stories, the main family, grandma across the street, cousins down the road, throughout the year we'd find little things we'd think would be great with the dollhoiuse village. They even had their own tree, decorations, and would get presents on Christmas morning!
Ok, so, what would it cost to put that up---nothing! and this will probably be our last year in this house. Other traditons, like my nativity scenes, etc, I see a big hole where they used to be.
I'm trying to keep the costs down, but we have bought the kids 3 presents each, for the three kings. Each is getting a NIntendo, a watch, and a clock radio. All great buys on sale, so not too much money. I guess I was just so overwhelmed by the thought of the whole mess, but just no Christmas is too sad. so, here we go again! Its not too late!
no, it's not too late! If the enjoyment you get from the decorations outweighs the trouble of putting them up, then out them up! It doesn't have to be all or nothing! Put up some! 3 gifts for the 3 kings sounds just fine.
My family is not celebrating Christmas this year. Nearly everyone in the family has been severely affected by this economy. A few are just getting back on their feet. Others are still suffering with unemployment and financial ruin.
We are not exchanging gifts and we aren't having a feast either. Because food costs money and no one can afford it.
Most of us are spread out all over the country so we won't be spending the day together either, because travelling also costs too much money. Those of us that are near each other will spend the day together just hanging out. And we'll be in each other's thoughts.
I know that feeling, believe me. I know it well.
But if I had kids, I would be standing in every line, signing up for any gift drive, or staking out freecycle ads looking for anything I could find to make sure my financial issues didn't hamper their holiday. Gifts don't have to be expensive and traditions are more important anyway, but I would not adopt the ''bah humbug'' attitude for my children to pick up on.
Problem is, I have 20 boxes of ornaments, deocrations, etc, not labeled, so I would have to bring them all down to sort through to get just a few things. Well, perhaps this would be a good time to repack them, labeled and sorted, for the move. Ok, face it, we'd have to haul all that stuff out fo the attic and sort and pack, anyways, might as well enjoy it one last time.
Here come the boxes
Then this would be the perfect year to bring them down to do the sorting.
Get the kids to help. You can label them as you go.
We tried to cancel Christmas one year due to finances...I was just miserable.
It was my eye opener that I got too commercialized.
Then this would be the perfect year to bring them down to do the sorting.
Get the kids to help. You can label them as you go.
We tried to cancel Christmas one year due to finances...I was just miserable.
It was my eye opener that I got too commercialized.
I'm glad you're decorating!
My thoughts exactly---we will just bring all the Christmas stuff down in a few months anyways to sort and pack, might as well get one last use out of it. Also, I like what someone else said, if the joy outweighs the work, do it!
I can't be Scrooge, it doesn't work 1 Anyways, I've accumulated 25+ years of ornaments, might as well get use out of them. The presents are minimal compared to other years, but still a good haul. Also, will continue the tradition of a stuffed animal in their bed Christmas morning, we always did that, decided not to last year, they were too old for that.
The last thing they said before going to bed was the wondered what their Christmas morning stuffed toy would be--we just looked at each other Thankd goodness for Walgreens, I managed to find 2 little toys I snuck into their beds, although it meant me running around at midnight on Christmas Eve. Well, whatever, I couldn't bear to see them disappointed last year, can't do so this year, either! Tonight we get the big tree from the attic!
It does sound like a good time to sort through your Christmas stash and par down. It would be perfect if you have a spare room or basement. You could take the boxes there, sort through looking only for the special decorations you want to put up this year and leave the rest of the whole mess until after the holidays. Just shut the door! I think it will be easier to go through the boxes in regards to parring down after the holidays when you will feel less sentimental and be less stressed. You will also have more time to organize what you are keeping and can label the boxes better. Most thrift stores won't take Christmas items right after the holiday, so pack the items you want to get rid of in seperate boxes and clearly label that they are to go.
Well, We've been following my downsized Christmas, so far, so good, no stressing over gifts, shopping, bills, etc.
But its starting to nag at me. When I look at where our big, beautiful tree used to stand, and there's just that tabletop tree, I feel sad. We had a tradition of a dollhouse village, three dollhouses, a family, all with stories, the main family, grandma across the street, cousins down the road, throughout the year we'd find little things we'd think would be great with the dollhoiuse village. They even had their own tree, decorations, and would get presents on Christmas morning!
Ok, so, what would it cost to put that up---nothing! and this will probably be our last year in this house. Other traditons, like my nativity scenes, etc, I see a big hole where they used to be.
I'm trying to keep the costs down, but we have bought the kids 3 presents each, for the three kings. Each is getting a NIntendo, a watch, and a clock radio. All great buys on sale, so not too much money. I guess I was just so overwhelmed by the thought of the whole mess, but just no Christmas is too sad. so, here we go again! Its not too late!
On behalf of those who love Christmas, CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have done it. Your post was full of what makes Christmas special...the tree, the decorations, the traditions. You are now on the correct side of Christmas...buy a few things that you can afford and enjoy the holiday. There is no reason to be "bah humbug" but I think it's a reaction that so many people have because they focus on the commericialism of the holiday and not the wonderful traditions that make it special. Glad you have "seen the light." I had my "ah-hah" moment a few years ago and have enjoyed the build up to Christmas ever since. AND I am the one with the holiday hand towels, the oven baking for nearly a week straight and the entire house transformed with decorations. It's not about the presents. Yay You!
On Sunday my wife's aunt died. She took our three kids to Missouri leaving me by myself here. (Praying for the family...funeral within a week of christmas )
And I can't leave till Saturday because I've don't have enough vacation and I'm out of sick days for the year.
Merry Christmas
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Thankd goodness for Walgreens, I managed to find 2 little toys I snuck into their beds, although it meant me running around at midnight on Christmas Eve. Well, whatever, I couldn't bear to see them disappointed last year, can't do so this year, either! Tonight we get the big tree from the attic!
)
