Several years ago, CL was laid off at Christmas time. We were expecting baby #6 and life became more of a challenge. Interestingly enough, CL and I had recently attended a...
I absolutely love your idea of how to celebrate. Jack is laid off from his job, too....actually, the plant moved and so he's now out of a job he's worked at for 15 years. So...our CHRISTmas will be frugal, too. Thanks for linking to me!!! You're so very precious to me, sweet friend!!!
I love the idea of handmade gifts. It is something I am hoping to start with my kids when they are a little older. It is such a great lesson for children and so fun and frugal too! Thanks for linking to my blog! :-)
This is so nice Becky Jane! I made my step-daughters Christmas stockings from their old pairs of jeans. They have buttons and beads all over them, with embroidered initials. They are everyone's favorite still every year!
What a very cool thing to do Becky Jane! This year is going to be like that sort of. We are buying things for Little Bit. Normally we also buy for my parents, Hubs Mom, Hubs brothers, my brothers, nieces and nephews O.o With all of the adoption expenses things are tight. I have made my Mom and Hubs Mom some crocheted goodies. I picked up a few little things for the nieces and nephews. Other than that we are just going to enjoy everyone's company and wait for our Sissy to join the family <3
I came up with a great idea that we have decided to do and that is not buying presents. Instead we plan a meal and eat together. Everyone brings their favorite thing to eat that they want to share. And if everyone brings a desert then that is even better :)
What a blessing that Christmas was for you and your family. I noticed a friend of mine said the other day something like, "Since we don't have any money to buy gifts this year, I am enjoying spending time with my family rather than being at the mall."
Your handcrafted Christmas is a wonderful way to have a great Christmas with little expense. My favorite Christmas was one when we did not have gifts we spent the day playing games and singing around the piano.
We are having a handmade Christmas this year as well. Not only will you be saving money during a rough economic time, your gifts will be treasured and valued that much more. I remember all the gifts I have received that were handmade over the years- jewelry from my sister, an afghan from my Grandmother- but somehow most of the store bought stuff gets forgotten when it's novelty has worn off. Sarah @ made in usa challenge
I love this post because we'll be making handmade and crafted Christmas decorations and ornaments. Besides I think it adds some special touch and means so much when someone makes something so special just for you.
We're struggling this year and I so needed to read this! Thank you! I'm going to try the idea of having each person focus on someone and make a special gift just for them.
With a growing family and the way things are these days we have cut way back on Christmas. We only bought a couple of things they can learn from educationally. I read on a blog awhile ago that you should give your children something they want, something they need, something you have made, and something they can read. After all it is about the thought and while my children are young I want them to learn that the holidays aren't based on the amount of gifts or what you get, but rather the thought and true meaning of the holiday. I loved this post. Pinterest is a great site for finding ideas for homemade gifts. I have taken a couple of ideas from there myself and it is quite addicting. There are so many wonderful things you can make yourself inexpensively! New follower from voiceboks. Happy Holidays. :)
I too loved this post! We have been trimming Christmas for a while now, especially with our extended families. With my sisters and parents, we first started doing a secret Santa with a dollar limit, as houses and babies were added to the mix the dollar amount went down. Then two years ago when everyone felt maxed out we still did Secret Santa but with the caveat that it had to be something you already had. I gave my one sister a beautiful candy dish that I knew she loved, and my sister gave me a painting that I always admired. We had so much fun that year. With our own children we have always done three presents and that has always cut down on the nonsense. This year with things feeling tighter I am so grateful that we have had all this in place so that their is no need to explain anything. I really think it is the memories and the special times we share that make the holidays special. Two of my most favorite gifts that my husband gave me was a box of crayons the year I went back to college, and the year he gave me a plain old goldfish in a plain old goldfish bowl!! The 2$ fish lived for 3 years! Thanks for a great post!!
Thank you for posting this Becky. So helpful!! My hubby is in year 3 of unemployment. We are blessed to have a family that's able to help us out through our financial hardship, but it doesn't make dealing with Christmas any easier. This post gave me some fabulous ideas. :-)
Keeping it real. Nicely done. Last year I started a Toy Swap in our community. Families bring new or gently used toys and take what they need. this year it was expanded to include baby gear and clothes!
This is a Christmas memory to cherish....also good advice for Christmas gifts!
ReplyDeleteI would love it if our kids would take the time to make gifts, instead of spending all the money they do. I don't think it will ever happen though...
ReplyDelete@Kim, it turned out fun!
ReplyDelete@Candida, luckily our kids we little and receptive!!!
I absolutely love your idea of how to celebrate. Jack is laid off from his job, too....actually, the plant moved and so he's now out of a job he's worked at for 15 years. So...our CHRISTmas will be frugal, too. Thanks for linking to me!!! You're so very precious to me, sweet friend!!!
ReplyDelete@Deb, You are very special to me. A woman of great spiritual insight. I know you will be richly blessed!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of handmade gifts. It is something I am hoping to start with my kids when they are a little older. It is such a great lesson for children and so fun and frugal too! Thanks for linking to my blog! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is so nice Becky Jane! I made my step-daughters Christmas stockings from their old pairs of jeans. They have buttons and beads all over them, with embroidered initials. They are everyone's favorite still every year!
ReplyDeleteI think that is so great and definitely makes a special memory. Maybe someday we will do this as a family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very cool thing to do Becky Jane! This year is going to be like that sort of. We are buying things for Little Bit. Normally we also buy for my parents, Hubs Mom, Hubs brothers, my brothers, nieces and nephews O.o With all of the adoption expenses things are tight. I have made my Mom and Hubs Mom some crocheted goodies. I picked up a few little things for the nieces and nephews. Other than that we are just going to enjoy everyone's company and wait for our Sissy to join the family <3
ReplyDeleteI came up with a great idea that we have decided to do and that is not buying presents. Instead we plan a meal and eat together. Everyone brings their favorite thing to eat that they want to share. And if everyone brings a desert then that is even better :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing that Christmas was for you and your family. I noticed a friend of mine said the other day something like, "Since we don't have any money to buy gifts this year, I am enjoying spending time with my family rather than being at the mall."
ReplyDeleteYour handcrafted Christmas is a wonderful way to have a great Christmas with little expense. My favorite Christmas was one when we did not have gifts we spent the day playing games and singing around the piano.
ReplyDeletethis is a great, honest, and REAL Christmas post
ReplyDeleteWe are having a handmade Christmas this year as well. Not only will you be saving money during a rough economic time, your gifts will be treasured and valued that much more. I remember all the gifts I have received that were handmade over the years- jewelry from my sister, an afghan from my Grandmother- but somehow most of the store bought stuff gets forgotten when it's novelty has worn off.
ReplyDeleteSarah @ made in usa challenge
That sounds very interesting. I am sure handmade gifts are always awesome.
ReplyDeleteHave a blasting Christmas!
I love this post because we'll be making handmade and crafted Christmas decorations and ornaments. Besides I think it adds some special touch and means so much when someone makes something so special just for you.
ReplyDeleteWe're struggling this year and I so needed to read this! Thank you! I'm going to try the idea of having each person focus on someone and make a special gift just for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Elisa
With a growing family and the way things are these days we have cut way back on Christmas. We only bought a couple of things they can learn from educationally. I read on a blog awhile ago that you should give your children something they want, something they need, something you have made, and something they can read. After all it is about the thought and while my children are young I want them to learn that the holidays aren't based on the amount of gifts or what you get, but rather the thought and true meaning of the holiday.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. Pinterest is a great site for finding ideas for homemade gifts. I have taken a couple of ideas from there myself and it is quite addicting. There are so many wonderful things you can make yourself inexpensively! New follower from voiceboks.
Happy Holidays. :)
I too loved this post! We have been trimming Christmas for a while now, especially with our extended families. With my sisters and parents, we first started doing a secret Santa with a dollar limit, as houses and babies were added to the mix the dollar amount went down. Then two years ago when everyone felt maxed out we still did Secret Santa but with the caveat that it had to be something you already had. I gave my one sister a beautiful candy dish that I knew she loved, and my sister gave me a painting that I always admired. We had so much fun that year. With our own children we have always done three presents and that has always cut down on the nonsense. This year with things feeling tighter I am so grateful that we have had all this in place so that their is no need to explain anything. I really think it is the memories and the special times we share that make the holidays special. Two of my most favorite gifts that my husband gave me was a box of crayons the year I went back to college, and the year he gave me a plain old goldfish in a plain old goldfish bowl!! The 2$ fish lived for 3 years! Thanks for a great post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this Becky. So helpful!! My hubby is in year 3 of unemployment. We are blessed to have a family that's able to help us out through our financial hardship, but it doesn't make dealing with Christmas any easier. This post gave me some fabulous ideas. :-)
ReplyDelete~Blessings,
Rosann
Keeping it real. Nicely done. Last year I started a Toy Swap in our community. Families bring new or gently used toys and take what they need. this year it was expanded to include baby gear and clothes!
ReplyDelete