[lady06498]

Hi all,

I have been doing a lot of thinking about christmas in the last few days. It will be here before we know it. Do any of you have any ideas on how to make christmas more affordable and fun.
I did come up with a few ideas. Seeing money is short and we have more kids this year I thought this would be the year to start something new and continue with a tradition. I am going to make a coupon book for my daughter and eventually the boys will get them when they get older. But it is giving her my time for christmas something she doesn't get much of. I will make different coupons for different activities we can do together that will be fun and inexpensive. Like going to a movie we can go to the school when they offer it and it is free for us, going roller skating which we both like to do is inexpensive, going bowling one day, taking a bike ride together and some other things.
Also thought I might start using their stocking for the main focus of gifts. I can get a huge stocking for each of them and let them lay them out for santa on christmas eve for him to fill. This way I am limited to what will fit in it and they can get things they will actually use instead of a bunch of things that will just get tossed in time from having too much stuff.

What do you all think? Give me some of your ideas on what you do for christmas to keep the spirit of giving in and the high costs out the door. I want to get back to the true meaning of christmas instead of so much commercialism. I just can't afford it each year.

I hope you can give me some ideas.

Sherri

[mompen]

Hi Sherri,

I know what you mean about the real meaning of Christmas....

I am taking alot of the kiddos stuffed animals for them to bring to the nursing homes for the older people.

I know this is not gift ideas but it does put in preceptive about the real meaning of Christmas.....

As far as the gifts goes.... I know that don't know the meaning of costs so I think the coupon book is a great idea.

I know you can also make the kids some gifts... If you have anything you are good at... maybe a scrapbook or buy some material and make the kids something.....

Also I am not sure if you qualify or not, but they do alot of Santa Bear projects in our area through the churchs and goverment offices...

Sorry I was not much help but I will continue to search and let you know!!!

HUGS PENNY

[Christian]

Good morning ladies

Well I love the coupon book idea and I also understand money being short...we have had that problem many times around the holidays! This year we saved income tax money for our house insuarnce and taxes and were able to be a little more comfortable but as you said Sherri...the true meaning has been lost in all the gift madness One idea is to go to the local police station as Penny pointed out...they usually have a toy drive there and it wouldnt hurt to check that out, I know around here they have what they call toys for tots and it is WONDERFUL! Maybe they have a website...it would be worth a look Oh and one more thing...know that the Lord will make a way sis.... you will have what you need as the time gets closer, you have some great ideas

[Christian]

Oh hey Penny....we weigh the same Just noticed

[lady06498]

Thanks guys for the ideas. I did get my shopping done for the kids so that is a relief. That is the only thing I was really worried about now they all have presents to open christmas morning. Megan got her brothers a toy each as well. I think megan and I will make some ornaments to give away. That will give us time together and not expensive. The sitter gave me 3 ornaments for the kids for the tree. They came out great her kids painted them.

Thanks again girls. Hope you have a great day.

Sherri