Three days to Christmas. Hard to believe it's almost here... and then the year will be all but over!
My Christmas greeting cards have been sent (I hate spending that much money for cards that will be thrown out - not to mention the postage!)...gift cards have been mailed (sometimes you just don't have a choice)...the few gifts that have been bought have been wrapped...and a package has been sent to my son in Iraq. Nothing left to do but wait...and cook!
Last year - in preparation for moving - we downsized! By the time Christmas rolled around we knew what we planned to take to Colorado with us & what we'd need to get rid of - either because we no longer used it or just wouldn't have room. My brother & his wife were struggling financially (they have 6 kids!) so we decided we'd either trade stuff or make stuff for Christmas. I was able to get rid of two sets of wood TV trays, some small electric kitchen appliances and an over abundance of stuff in general! Christmas, as it turned out, was a HUGE success!!
This year we've decided again not to exchange store-bought gifts. It is more difficult to find "gifts" since I've gotten rid of so much!! I did some thrift store shopping & bought my younger son some name brand shirts (Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, etc.)... and paid a top dollar of $2.98 for each! I'm appalled & yet thankful that people donate such nice clothes - and in such good condition -- one shirt still had the "folds" from the store! He'll be thrilled to have some nice new shirts & I'm thrilled that for less than the price of ONE of those shirts new - I was able to buy him six "new" shirts!
The little kids (there are now five under 4 years old) are all getting books & gently used toys from the thrift store. I think I spent about $10 for the five gifts.
At any rate... let us not forget the REAL reason for CHRISTmas... HE came to pay a debt HE didn't owe... because we owed a debt we couldn't pay!