My Christmas vent.. ahhh!

[MomToTwoBoys]

This is our first Christmas in the new house, so it's technically our first Christmas in Edmonton. We did sell our old house about a week prior last year and stayed with my inlaws, but now we have our own house in a new city.

There was some talk about how it would go this year, considering everyone's got their own house and their own kids.

Our new rules are as follows:

1) No adult gifts except the exchange (which we do after dinner).
2) It's all about the kids this year, unless our respective SOs want to buy us gifts.

But for some reason, it feels a whole lot different this year than it should. With less than four weeks left, I'm in full panic mode now. I started buying DS8 gifts, but I am stuck as to what to get now. I wanted to get my nephew in New York something, along with my niece here and my new baby nephew here. With one kid that's in his teens but autistic and the other kid telling me he didn't know what he wanted, I'm trying to find a balance.

I'm not sure how to even deal with what to get DH this year.

So I sit here, panicking, because I feel so much more responsibility. I know I can take it a bit at a time, but with as busy as I have been, I feel like I'm reaching for more than I can handle.

I guess this is more of a vent than a question, and I'm sure it'll all pan out for the better. But with the way our financial situation had been since July, it's a little unsettling.

[steelergal]

Just take it a moment at a time! That's the only way I manage to get through the holidays (with bill juggling and the random add ons that never seem to disappear and unexpected bills, time management).

Good luck to you!

[geckoace]

It helps me when I feel overwhelmed to write everything down. Just every little thing. Then walk away from it. Then come back and organize it like a page of christmas, a page if bills, a page of errands, a page of ideas (even crazy ones) about how to save/make some more money, etc. then walk away from it.
Then come back and look it over and say "what can i do today to make my situation better not perfect just better" pick 1 things and do that.

I do this all of the time i have notebooks filled with scribbles cause i have to dump it all out of my head

[woodogmom]

geckoace that is an AWESOME idea. I've got tons of notebooks I got at back to school sales...gonna put your idea to work...thanks. Hope it helps the original poster too...getting it all out of your head probably makes a world of difference!!!

[gottadance]

Yes, making a list, then scratching off each thing as you accomplish it can make you feel better and more on top of things. Get the ideas on paper. Also, take a breath and relax, you still have time- Dec. 1 is tomorrow!

[frugalwarrior2]

Dh and i just tell each other what we might like. We're fine w/ it and the suprise is highly over rated.
As far as neices and nephews i did movie tickets w/ a box of popcorn and giant candy bars so they understood. Older we write checks. Money is the hand makes pre teens and teens happy.
Good luck. Remember nothing has to be perfect.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Thanks everyone.

With today being the first, I realized that I don't have to do everything at once. I can go to the mall each and every time I get a chance to (not including the days I go to the gym at the mall, because I simply don't want to try to focus on holidays after I burn off all of that stress), which would include today. I know I don't have to spend a fortune and making a list would work awesome.

Then I got surprised by the request for a $250 cheque to cover DS13's field trip costs and this close to Christmas with the way our situation has been, it makes me nervous even more. I'm trying to find all of the justification in the world to spend, even though it's going on the CC and I'll be getting a cheque for almost $700 at the end of January. But still, it increases my anxiety all the more.

I have to learn to take this one step at a time.

[Libby]

It may not seem as fun for the kids but why not try giving them homemade things or corral them and give the gift of an experience instead? (family gift?) This also helps eliminate junk/clutter and wasted spending on things that get played with for a month?

[MomToTwoBoys]

My SIL is actually doing something like that for them. She's going to make DS8 a coupon book that gives him things like an hour of video game playing time with her, etc. It's pretty neat.

I figure that if I can get away with things that the kids will find fascinating or use every day that incorporates what they like, it'll be a good Christmas this year.

For example, I went out today and got DS13 a lava lamp. Not just any one, but a Spongebob Squarepants one. He loves lights and things that are captivating, so the lava lamp is a score. I also got him a few new articles of clothing and a calendar (because it would be good for his scheduling) and the calendar has Spongebob on it also. I didn't get much for DS8 because he has big presents ordered for him. I'm trying to make things more even between them (considering DS13 doesn't play with many things beyond the first day).

$80 and I'm off to a good start.

[ncarr]

When I feel overwhelmed I try to focus on the "reason for the season" For me it's celebrating the birth of Jesus. If you aren't Christian, you can still focus on the reason being to spend time with family and celebrate the blessings in your life <3 This helps me to calm down and not be so worried about the consumer side of Christmas.

As for presents-- your boys are the number one priority! As long as they have a nice Christmas I think you and DH will as well Maybe the two of you can exchange homemade vouchers for one date of the other's choice. You could each agree to do whatever the other person wanted. For example if you wanted to see a chick flick your DH would agree to do it. If he wanted to go fishing you would go etc

As for extended family, your plan sounds great! Just hang in there and enjoy the excitement of the season. It's such a beautiful time of year

[oheoh's momma]

nothing to say just hugs for u. try to relax and deep breath. i am finding at lot of coupons for toys so see if any one has any for u.this might help......hugs again bubble baths, nail polish, and hot tea are my faves for relaxing try.