Christmas Time

I want to know how you are going to save money this holiday season.  Do you have any family traditions?  Do you stay stressed the whole holiday season?  Are you one of those that can't stand Christmas because of all the commercialism?  I have to admit I live with a scrooge.  My husband hates Christmas time.  Well, maybe hate is a little strong but he definitely does not like all the drama and stress. 

With the way things are going these days, it is time to go back to what Christmas is all about.  It is not about spending all the money you have and going into debt.  It is time to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It is time to spend precious moments with friends and family.  It is a time to give to others, and to remember those less fortunate. 

Giving to others does not mean you have to spend money.  It can mean babysitting for a friend.  Why not spend time with a shut in?  By spending time with an older person, you can learn about what they did for Christmas.  They might be able to teach you how to sew, crochet, knit, bake, whittle, or a number of other things.  It is a win win situation.  They get to feel loved, needed, important, and you learn about the past and possibly a craft.  You can volunteer at your favorite charity.  How about getting a group together to go Christmas caroling?  What other ideas do you have?

You can start a family tradition if you do not have one.  When the kids were little, we made a different Christmas ornament every year.  It was a great way to spend time together as a family.  One year we made a wonderful gingerbread house and landscape.  We made it with graham crackers and royal icing.  Every year we take at least one weekend to bake.  I can hardly wait to start my Christmas baking.

How do you save money during Christmas?  Well, I usually start Christmas shopping the day after Christmas.  It is a little late to start that now but there are other ways.  For one thing there all of the freebies you can find online.  How about making presents?  You can bake goodies for teachers and others.  You can make some Christmas ornaments?  Do you know how to sew, knit, or crochet?  Are you good at some other craft.  Handmade presents mean more.  It means you put more thought and time into a present than just going to the store to pick up something.  How about making a mixed CD or giving coupons?  You can give a coupon for a meal, babysitting, or a number of other things.

Let me know how you make Christmas special, how you save money, and how you reduce your stress.  I am going to post recipes, ways to save money, and a variety of other things to make Christmas cheap and special.  I need help with this though, from you my readers.