Those of you that don't have much money at Christmas!

[witheraway1]

Let me say Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. And I loved buying for others. I used to spend thousands of dollars on gifts for my family. So many presents they extended way out into the room. Way out of hand I know but that was what I did. Then one year my kids jobs weren't going to good and money was tight for them. I did not want them to feel bad at christmas, but still wanted to have a great Christmas morning. So we turned it into fun and cheap for everyone. Heres what we did.. each family bought several small gagets or whatever even some gag gifts were inculed by some. We sack them up in nice bags and wrappings. Numbered all the packages. That way on one knew who bought what or how many gifts. We ended up with around 60 or so. We then put that amount of numbers in a jar and drew one each. After everyone got a number we then one at a time went to the tree to find the matching gift. All while drinking champane. It was so fun and cheap for everyone that even now we don't have to, we still continue doing this. No one feels bad and no one under pressure. So you have it that's Christmas at Withers house. Merry Christmas everyone, so if your short on cash talk to your family and give it a try. It's fun and a lot of laughts.

[LINDA RN]

Oh, thank you Wither, What a wonderful idea!
I have been noticing more and more the sales after Thanksgiving are mostly things I need and too expensive that no one would buy them for me. And there seems to be no real sales on affordable nice gifts for individual family members. The inexpensive and not necessarily Christmas gifts sounds so good. Then I suppose that once all the gifts are opened, everyone would have opportunity to "trade"? That would be so fun!

[witheraway1]

I forgot to say we do trade after all is opened. It is a lot of fun and no one spent a lot of money.

[cameron]

I really like this idea Wither, sure solves the problem.

One thing that we do at my work which I really like, is adopting a needy family. We all put in $5 per month, and at the end of the year we have close to $600.00. This year we have a single mom with 2 teenagers. We went to an outlet store  and were able to get a lot of very nice clothes and games. Instead of buying the food for the Christmas dinner for the family out of our collection, we make a list, and each buy a few things on the list which gives us more money for gifts.

I can only imagine how happy these kids must be on Christmas morning, getting some nice warm clothing along with the other goodies.

Last year I went along on the delivery, and my goodness that family needed help. Sure reminded me of how fortunate I am.

[witheraway1]

Doing things like that does remind us of how much we are blessed. We usually pick a family not doing too well and box up a bunch of food along with christmas gifts for everyone. PuT a note in saying merry christmas from SANTA. I remember one year our son who was 8 at the time. His friends family was out of work and no money at Christmas. We dropped the box off on the porch rung the door bell and ran. ON the next day those kids were telling my son Santa came to their house last night. They were so happy.
So I just thought sharing how we do christmas might be useful to some. I hope it is. Have a good day everyone.    wither

[snowbirdie]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY CHANNUKAH TO ALL
    We celebrate Hanukkah a little. You are supposs ed to have gifts everyday for 8 days to celebrate., as you light the candles. We don't get 8 gifts  just one. We know there is more coming. LOL
    what WE DO IS GATHER OUR GIFTS and enjoy them Christmas eve with extended family. Except the personal gifts on Christmas morning. Then we have a nice breakfast together. We clean up the holiday mess and wait for our Christmas dinner to be delivered. In our community we have have a dinner for everyone who lives here. The community Christmas dinner. Since my daughter can't get out of bed and I cant go out when weather is below 32 I call in our order and a volunteer brings our meal around 3:00. We have our table all set and are ready to feast.It is me and my sons Ralph and Mike. Molly can't join us as she is tube fed. She never liked to eat anyway. We will have ham and turkey,mashed potatoes( I will make my own) And a vegetable a salad and desert and oh a dinner roll and gravy . Truly a feast. No charge. After we watch a movie or play a Christmas game. And that's it for a wonderful Christmas Day. Oops I forgot my wonderful Granddaughter Kendra will be here too traveling all the way from Washington state by her self. I can't wait.  How about some more of you telling us about your holiday fum time.
                                                        Judie

[witheraway1]

Thanks Judie, I loved reading about your Christmas. We also get together with the whole Family on Christmas eve and exchange gifts. This year that is at our Sons House. We are all coming in pajamas this year. Good thing we won't have to dress for bed! Like Judie said can we hear what you do at your house for Christmas?

[Joyful Friend]

I love Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, my family---all the kids, grandkids, and the in laws family comes to our home.  I cook all day.  Everyone but me go to church  vespers, then  they come right to our home.  They all dress up.  I have the tables set lovely. I do them the day before.  I have the  veggie and fruit salads,  plates of  shrimp with sauce, and rolls on the tables.  A  hot buffet  is set up in the kitchen.  Each table takes its turn.  I have a lot of different foods.  Then on Christmas day, our kids and grandkids come by for help yourself lunch.  My DH, sister-in-law, and I eat around 12 noon.  I cook a large ham, fix festive cheesy potatoes, and have left overs from the night before.  I fix a fresh salad.  We open gifts about 1:30.  When our parents were living, they were always here for Christmas Day.  I  have done all the cooking since I was a young lady.  I learned so much from my mom, sister, and sister-in-laws.(Mom and I went to my married brothers and sisters for the dinners) I'm the youngest in my family.  I've never considered cooking hard work.  My DH is great in helping me clean up.  That is what I call hard work.  I have done Christmas Eve this way for 32 years.  My son-in-law brought his Mom to our home for Christmas the year before he and Country Girl  were married, so after our son married, her family came too.  It makes it simple, because no one is left out.  Each year, we may have to add an extra plate from getting new ones through marriage or birth.  I hope I can at least do it for another 10 years.  LDL has given me new energy, and I enjoy my food so much more. Since I can eat what I want and enjoy, I have no guilt.  I'm so grateful for it.      JF

[witheraway1]

This is so fun to hear what others do and they share their stories with us. Jf have fun as I am sure you will! We are truly blessed Aren't we!

[cameron]

I loved your stories Judie and JF, hope to see some more.

ck

[ladyhawk21]

I try to pick things up throughout the year.  small things like chap stick, tooth brushes, things i call stocking stuffers

people are amazed when i tell them who i celebrate Christmas with:
we have dinner at my mom and dads house, present are me, my son, his wife and 2 kids, my X and his wife (my sons step mom) her daughter and my grandson

the past 2 years we adults agreed to draw names and we have a $20 limit.  we each buy 4 kids several presents.

each of us bring a dish and i cook the turkey.

it works out great, we have family time open a few presents and eat lots of good food.

PS thanksgiving is at my x's house

Renee