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when it comes to gifts, it's hard for me to keep a budget. why? because if i know the person is going to loooooooooooove it, i get it for them lol.
our family tradition is we have dinner together on christmas eve. we then watch movies until midnight, and then we open presents. the past couple of years, we open presents about 9 pm because my sister, who's a cop, had to work on christmas day
so she has to go to sleep early. this year will be different because my parents won't be here for christmas, so things will be a little not-tradition lol
our family tradition is we have dinner together on christmas eve. we then watch movies until midnight, and then we open presents. the past couple of years, we open presents about 9 pm because my sister, who's a cop, had to work on christmas day
so she has to go to sleep early. this year will be different because my parents won't be here for christmas, so things will be a little not-tradition lol
G
Christmas? Don't care for it. Everyone decides to become Mr. and Mrs. Nice Person. Folks just follow a script. I'm supposed to buy gifts. I have to run around and worry. I have to act this way and that way when I am shopping. I must act rushed, feel rushed, and be rushed. Just so scripted.
But I enjoy the time with family. That's the best.
But I enjoy the time with family. That's the best.
G
Reborn, I know. YOU don't need to clarify that. I knew you were joking. It was gooooood, too. But thanks anyways.
But you know, I really don't like the way folks put on a show. Hypocrisy. I ain't saying it's all bad. Many are sincere. Many want to give and help and be happy. But so many folks, it's just fake. It's a mess. All for 1 day.
But you know, I really don't like the way folks put on a show. Hypocrisy. I ain't saying it's all bad. Many are sincere. Many want to give and help and be happy. But so many folks, it's just fake. It's a mess. All for 1 day.
A
Hubby and I lived through "the year without Christmas." He was in chemotherapy so too sick to do Christmas on Christmas. (We did it on New Year's Eve. lol) Plus we we living on $839 a month, so spending a lot of money was out of the question. We made things for each other that totaled $25. (Paper, yarn, and one small store bought present each. I bought him coffee and he bought me chocolate. lol) We got the free turkey through buying groceries at the same store for six weeks.
Since then, we've learned it's not money that makes Christmas. It's want we do together that makes it Christmas. Money isn't so tight anymore, so we usually aim for no more than $200 total, and tend to make it less than that. And we buy a Christmas dinner complete with the trimmings to give to our food bank so someone else can have a free Christmas dinner.
Our Christmas is usually like this:
Christmas Eve we finish up making the Christmas Eve dinner, then watch a Christmas movie. (We usually save A Christmas Story for that night, but sometimes we watch Polar Express.) And at the end of the night, we give one small present to the other one. (He gets his favorite coffee again and he gives me chocolate still. That sets us up to be ready to open presents the next day -- complete with a cup of coffee for him and a mouthful of chocolate for me.)
Next morning, whoever wakes up first has to wait for the other one to wake up before opening presents. (I'd prefer present opening after I wake up, but he's still the kid on Christmas morning so can't wait. lol) Our stuffed animals get involved, because we have no kids. (I usually either make them something or buy them something. Hubby usually plays the part of them opening the packages. Quite funny to see a 60-something year old man talking squeaky-voice to pretend to speak for the stuffed animals, and he usually makes them do something funny like jump into the bag with the present. Also funny to hear the reaction of stuffed animals for things like a new toothbrush or lip balm. lol)
Then comes coffee. I don't usually drink coffee, but he makes me a small cup because there's something worth dunking in the coffee -- either homemade biscotti or pizzelles.
After breakfast there are football games to watch. (Well, he watches them while I play with my presents. lol) And, snacks to eat.
Prayer before dinner, plus time to remember the reason for the day. Dinner is a casserole of the same meal we ate the night before (turkey, stuffing, a couple of veggies, mashed and sweet taters on top for the covering.) Homemade cranberry sauce on the side, of course. Biscuits possible. (Depends if I'm up to it.)
After dinner we start watching one of our favorite movie series -- Star Wars, Harry Potter or LotRs. And then every night between Christmas Eve and NYE, we watch the rest of the series.
Christmas just doesn't stress me anymore. Decorating for Christmas does, but because I want it all done immediately, and I'm not capable of getting it done in less than three days anymore.
Since then, we've learned it's not money that makes Christmas. It's want we do together that makes it Christmas. Money isn't so tight anymore, so we usually aim for no more than $200 total, and tend to make it less than that. And we buy a Christmas dinner complete with the trimmings to give to our food bank so someone else can have a free Christmas dinner.
Our Christmas is usually like this:
Christmas Eve we finish up making the Christmas Eve dinner, then watch a Christmas movie. (We usually save A Christmas Story for that night, but sometimes we watch Polar Express.) And at the end of the night, we give one small present to the other one. (He gets his favorite coffee again and he gives me chocolate still. That sets us up to be ready to open presents the next day -- complete with a cup of coffee for him and a mouthful of chocolate for me.)
Next morning, whoever wakes up first has to wait for the other one to wake up before opening presents. (I'd prefer present opening after I wake up, but he's still the kid on Christmas morning so can't wait. lol) Our stuffed animals get involved, because we have no kids. (I usually either make them something or buy them something. Hubby usually plays the part of them opening the packages. Quite funny to see a 60-something year old man talking squeaky-voice to pretend to speak for the stuffed animals, and he usually makes them do something funny like jump into the bag with the present. Also funny to hear the reaction of stuffed animals for things like a new toothbrush or lip balm. lol)
Then comes coffee. I don't usually drink coffee, but he makes me a small cup because there's something worth dunking in the coffee -- either homemade biscotti or pizzelles.
After breakfast there are football games to watch. (Well, he watches them while I play with my presents. lol) And, snacks to eat.
Prayer before dinner, plus time to remember the reason for the day. Dinner is a casserole of the same meal we ate the night before (turkey, stuffing, a couple of veggies, mashed and sweet taters on top for the covering.) Homemade cranberry sauce on the side, of course. Biscuits possible. (Depends if I'm up to it.)
After dinner we start watching one of our favorite movie series -- Star Wars, Harry Potter or LotRs. And then every night between Christmas Eve and NYE, we watch the rest of the series.
Christmas just doesn't stress me anymore. Decorating for Christmas does, but because I want it all done immediately, and I'm not capable of getting it done in less than three days anymore.
C
Usually, I like to keep myself on a cap for the holidays, but I will admit last year I spent a little too much. My excuse was that I gave my parents money to spend on buying Christmas presents for my sister and brother in law so now I am paying off the credit card I used and close to having it fully paid off.
I do love looking at all the lights and singing Christmas carols, but I don't agree with how much it got commercialized. You have kids demanding their parents to buy this specific toy or item and I find it really sad that people lost the true meaning of Christmas and that is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I would much rather spend Christmas with my family at the dinner table celebrating all of who God is
I do love looking at all the lights and singing Christmas carols, but I don't agree with how much it got commercialized. You have kids demanding their parents to buy this specific toy or item and I find it really sad that people lost the true meaning of Christmas and that is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I would much rather spend Christmas with my family at the dinner table celebrating all of who God is
Well, if you have no money, you do not spend (or rather, you 'should' not spend). Those who are 'disappointed' to not get anything from those who don't have the money ought to be ashamed of themselves as they have shown themselves to be of the flesh.
Christmas is not a joyous time for everyone. It is usually a time during which Christians are looking to saturate themselves in 'feel good' family traditions which really are not focused on Yeshua. If Christmas were about Yeshua it would focus on HIS giftings and using them to help those in need, the hurting, homeless, the unlovely.. Instead it has become a time during which the selfish materialism of mankind comes forth in it's infamous fully unbridled array.
I do not believe the season is viewed properly by the majority of Christians. Most people give gifts because they're expected to. It is gross tradition.
Christmas is not a joyous time for everyone. It is usually a time during which Christians are looking to saturate themselves in 'feel good' family traditions which really are not focused on Yeshua. If Christmas were about Yeshua it would focus on HIS giftings and using them to help those in need, the hurting, homeless, the unlovely.. Instead it has become a time during which the selfish materialism of mankind comes forth in it's infamous fully unbridled array.
I do not believe the season is viewed properly by the majority of Christians. Most people give gifts because they're expected to. It is gross tradition.
R
My budget is small this year. Been out of work for a while. If I had lots of money like I used to I would go mad again and buy all those closest to me things I know they would like. But I would like to give them more than they would want to receive them.
I wouldnt go really mad though. People don't like receiving expensive gifts if they can't get you something back of equal or near value. Well some people. Not so much really genuine real good people.
So this year will be just humble gifts but the willingness will be the same. I've always liked giving more than receiving. Well, 99% of the time anyway. Depends what I need and how its given me.
Its not the size of the gift that matters. Its not how expensive it is. What matters is the size of the love thats behind it. Some people just give gifts because they feel like they have to. Thats not how it should be. We should give gifts because Jesus' life was a gift for us so we mimic that in giving gifts.
And yes absolutely well I don't dislike it. Because God is in control of all things. So I give thanks to Him for all things. Even the commercialisation of Christmas or Xmas as the world likes to call it not realizing its another way of saying Jesusmas.
It seems every year the world commercializes Christmas even more and more. I actually don't really like it that much. I get depressed around that time. And I think about all the people that dont have a home or anyone to be with on that day. It breaks my heart. I guess I need to do something about this passion.
I wouldnt go really mad though. People don't like receiving expensive gifts if they can't get you something back of equal or near value. Well some people. Not so much really genuine real good people.
So this year will be just humble gifts but the willingness will be the same. I've always liked giving more than receiving. Well, 99% of the time anyway. Depends what I need and how its given me.
Its not the size of the gift that matters. Its not how expensive it is. What matters is the size of the love thats behind it. Some people just give gifts because they feel like they have to. Thats not how it should be. We should give gifts because Jesus' life was a gift for us so we mimic that in giving gifts.
And yes absolutely well I don't dislike it. Because God is in control of all things. So I give thanks to Him for all things. Even the commercialisation of Christmas or Xmas as the world likes to call it not realizing its another way of saying Jesusmas.
It seems every year the world commercializes Christmas even more and more. I actually don't really like it that much. I get depressed around that time. And I think about all the people that dont have a home or anyone to be with on that day. It breaks my heart. I guess I need to do something about this passion.
J
My budget is small this year. Been out of work for a while. If I had lots of money like I used to I would go mad again and buy all those closest to me things I know they would like. But I would like to give them more than they would want to receive them.
I wouldnt go really mad though. People don't like receiving expensive gifts if they can't get you something back of equal or near value. Well some people. Not so much really genuine real good people.
So this year will be just humble gifts but the willingness will be the same. I've always liked giving more than receiving. Well, 99% of the time anyway. Depends what I need and how its given me.
Its not the size of the gift that matters. Its not how expensive it is. What matters is the size of the love thats behind it. Some people just give gifts because they feel like they have to. Thats not how it should be. We should give gifts because Jesus' life was a gift for us so we mimic that in giving gifts.
And yes absolutely well I don't dislike it. Because God is in control of all things. So I give thanks to Him for all things. Even the commercialisation of Christmas or Xmas as the world likes to call it not realizing its another way of saying Jesusmas.
It seems every year the world commercializes Christmas even more and more. I actually don't really like it that much. I get depressed around that time. And I think about all the people that dont have a home or anyone to be with on that day. It breaks my heart. I guess I need to do something about this passion.
I wouldnt go really mad though. People don't like receiving expensive gifts if they can't get you something back of equal or near value. Well some people. Not so much really genuine real good people.
So this year will be just humble gifts but the willingness will be the same. I've always liked giving more than receiving. Well, 99% of the time anyway. Depends what I need and how its given me.
Its not the size of the gift that matters. Its not how expensive it is. What matters is the size of the love thats behind it. Some people just give gifts because they feel like they have to. Thats not how it should be. We should give gifts because Jesus' life was a gift for us so we mimic that in giving gifts.
And yes absolutely well I don't dislike it. Because God is in control of all things. So I give thanks to Him for all things. Even the commercialisation of Christmas or Xmas as the world likes to call it not realizing its another way of saying Jesusmas.
It seems every year the world commercializes Christmas even more and more. I actually don't really like it that much. I get depressed around that time. And I think about all the people that dont have a home or anyone to be with on that day. It breaks my heart. I guess I need to do something about this passion.