A christmas I would love

**homesteadmamma** · 10-26-2002, 10:40 PM

I always wonder why we put so much pressure on ourselves to buy, buy, buy at Christmas for everyone on our list. I wonder why we run around trying to get or make the perfect gift when most of the time it probably isn't what the other person wanted anyways. I wonder why we spend so much money trying to make others happy, including our kids.

The perfect Christmas to me, would be sitting in front of a fireplace with my family, sipping a cool drink and eating homemade cookies, sharing dreams and goals, playing some old fashioned games and reading the Christmas story. I think it would even be nicer if fresh snow was falling and I was outside with friends on Christmas Eve, Christmas carrolling around the neighbour and once finished taking an old fashioned sleigh ride.

A simple Charlie Brown Christmas tree would be in the corner with a few handmade gifts, nothing expensive or big.

What is your picture of a perfect Christmas?

**heaven** · 10-26-2002, 10:44 PM

home with tea and some movies with the children some snow. *that melts the next day* and just to relax a nice dinner. and some one else to do the dishes.

**captclearance** · 10-26-2002, 11:31 PM

I would like for it to be simpler, but I do really love giving gifts...

**mgory29379** · 10-26-2002, 11:50 PM

Amen. I am on a FIXED budget and I do good to buy Tab's stuff, then add all the other stuff that I feel obligated to buy and I am flat broke. In fact probably more in debt then I was before Christmas. I remember we made our own ornaments when I was a little girl. Now I have hunted and searched for the material ( all you have to do is stuff it and sew it together) but can't find it anywhere. We each had our own Santa too. Now it's how much you get and I want, I want, I want. I would just love to spend time with the family with no pressures.

**PrairieRose** · 10-27-2002, 12:51 AM

I would like to host a meal where EVERYONE brings one or two dishes and noone has to cook the entire meal. It seems that no matter how well we plan it, it's always one person doing most of the work in our family. It would be soooooo nice to enjoy the day with the family instead of working myself stupid in the kitchen.

**heaven** · 10-27-2002, 12:59 AM

Rose i love that idea, if there were a bunch of people that i knew i would do that, but i know no one here to do that with. i think a simple, quiet with friends and the children would be perfect.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-27-2002, 01:03 AM

I really hate buying presents for people that I see maybe 3 times a year and who don't need anything to begin with. I think the whole present thing is way out of hand. I think we should gather the world together and agree not to buy presents for each other anymore. Just think of the possibilites. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just share the holidays with close friends and family, no hustle, no bustle and no stress.

**SewCrafty** · 10-27-2002, 06:30 AM

You're right Patchworkgirl, I have not seen or heard from my nieces or nephews since last Christmas and they only live a short distance away (Port Crane and Port Dick). If I call my sister and one of them answers, they just drop the phone (before I'm done speaking) and scream for Mom.

I think this year I will be making up a basket with the Gifts in a Jar for the whole family and leave it at that.

I'm with Lori, I love giving gifts, but my nieces and nephews are un-appreciative and down right rude!

Gosh, that felt good to say out loud! I've been thinking it for a long time and this year I'm going to do it!

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-27-2002, 06:53 AM

Thanks for backing me up Diana! And good for you for getting your feelings out in the open. After I sent that message I hoped it didn't come across as too cranky or harsh. Don't get me wrong- I love giving gifts also. Wouldn't it be much more fun to give something to someone at an unexpected time? Just think of the look on their faces...and the good feeling you would get. Instead we are forced to buy something at the last minute, or something we know they don't want or can't use, just because it's xmas. Blah!!!

**scooby** · 10-27-2002, 07:50 AM

Having my family all home and just enjoying each other. Being able to enjoy the simplicity and true meaning of the holiday. Not having credit carf bills after christmas to worry about.

**SewCrafty** · 10-27-2002, 07:58 AM

I know that would be wonderful! My youngest sister has 4 children living at home and she doesn't have a lot of money. A few years ago at Thanksgiving we were all sitting around the table talking about food (of course!) and she mentioned that she never buys pork chops as it is just way too expensive for her family.
Well, she always has a get together at her home Christmas Eve. She cooks tons of food and doesn't want anyone to bring anything. So I purchased enough pork chops for her family and then some, froze them, wrapped them up in foil with a pretty ribbon and gave them to her. Now, we adults don't exchange gifts anymore, but when I handed the package to her, she thought I brought something for the party. I said no, just put these back in the freezer and enjoy them in a couple of days. Well about 2 days after Christmas she called me half crying, that she and her family loved my gift and truly enjoyed it.
Now, some people may think that is a strange gift (Even I did at first) but they all enjoyed it and it was something she couldn't buy herself. So now every year I get some type of meat that she can't afford and give it to her.

**~Sherry~** · 10-27-2002, 08:11 AM

I love being in PA with my family for the holidays. I love seeing them watch Tyler open his gifts... seeing them playing with him. Tyler is the 5th grandkid on Dave's side and the 1st and only one on my side.
I'm with Lori though on gifts. I love to give gifts and see people receive them. I love to try to pick something they will love. We never have alot of money, so we can't go all out... but we do buy something nice for everyone. This year I am also going to made a HM gift for everyone too.

**homesteadmamma** · 10-27-2002, 08:22 AM

I love giving gifts too, don't get me wrong. But Sara mentioned in a post of hers, how her and Gabe give each other gifts throughout the year rather than at Christmas.

Wouldn't it be more fun to give a gift just out of the blue that you might have found special for one specific person without them ever having to think they have to give you one in return. You might spot a particular "something" you know is just for that one person. You purchase it and surprise them with it!!

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the delight in your kids eyes when you bought them something during the year rather than spending all that money at Christmas and giving to others who probably don't want the item or feel guilty that they have to reciprocate.

Wouldn't it be neat if we gave our gifts to someone we don't even know. We might see a harried mom walking down the street and we'd stop our vehicle, place a small gift in her hand and leave.

I remember one Mother's Day and being given a rose at church. I was by myself and decided to stop and have a quick bit to eat. All alone was an elderly lady sitting in the corner by herself. She looked so lost. I got up and gave her my rose and a tear fell from her eye as she said "I haven't had one of these in years".

I've always loved Oprah's "angels". To me that is what Christmas should be, all year long in the gift giving area.

I guess what I'm saying here is from Sept. until Christmas, we run around usually going with the crowd and don't even enjoy doing it. I hate going to the malls at this time of the year, especially once Halloween is over. I would just love to have the simple Christmas's of past.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-27-2002, 08:47 AM

Diana- I love the story about the pork chops! You listened to what she was saying and got her the perfect gift!! CJ- you said what I was trying to say only better!! I'd much rather do the unexpected gifts during the year!!!