Have Yourself a Spend a Little Christmas

"It's 11 weeks until Christmas" a friend of mine cheerfully told me yesterday. Did I really need that reminder with all of the shops steadily adding more and more Christmas clobber to their aisles? 5 weeks ago I went into my local Post Office and they already had advent colanders and tinsel. Last week I went into the grocery store at the Vogue Gyratory and had a giggle at the new Holiday aisle they now have. They had Halloween decorations next to Christmas ones. Couldn't they have waited? Do we really need a reminder that the season to spend is almost upon us? We are already smarting from the credit crunch. There are so many people that are having trouble staying on top on their bills and mortgages. As every year goes by I find that my various Christmas lists are getting longer. Last year I sent 87 Christmas cards (43 of them to overseas) and I had 15 presents to give to the various kids in my circle of friends not to mention the 8 relations kids and the two of my own. Luckily most of our families live in another country so we are not expected to buy them things, but Christmas is an expensive time for us. That is until this year.

Depending on your beliefs, Christmas means different things for different people. But I think if you ask most people they wouldn't say it's about the presents they receive. It's about being together as a family and cherishing them and the lovely friends that make our life's so complete. So I have taken an oath to make this years Christmas about showing instead of buying. When I was a child my mother used to make different jams and preserves to give to friends and relations for Christmas gifts. The mother of an old friend of mine used to make chocolates, while others would make other kinds of gifts, such as jumpers or candles. It wasn't about how much to spend per person, but about the time it took to make them something to show how special they were to us. I know what some of you are thinking. "I am a busy person. When would I have the time to make things?" That's easy. Turn off the TV (or computer) and involve the kids. Kids naturally love to make things and they are beautifully creative.

I have informed my friends that this year I do not want any bought gifts and to not expect any from me. We will be making all of the presents we give (expect for children) and I hope that not only will it make this Christmas cheaper, but will bring us all closer together.

Now that I have made that decision I wonder what kinds of things that we as a family can make for others. I have started a thread on the discussion boards about this (or you can comment) so come people, let me know your ideas or what you are already doing.