My Christmas was good this year because......

**cab54** · 12-26-2007, 09:21 AM

Tell what was good about your Christmas this year, even if the spirit wasn't moving you, or it was a hard year.....

Mine was good because my sons were still able to come home this year.
Because we had the celebrations at my house--it's work, and costs, but we don't have to go anywhere anymore.
Because my sister's little grandchildren are so CUTE and I love all the present opening and tattling.
Because my new anti-anxiety med made me SOOOOO much more mellow and calm.

Because we kept it simple this year, and didn't sweat the small stuff.
And--this is going to sound mean, and I am not intending it that way, but my MIL is in a therapy/rehab for a total knee replacement, and was not able to come, and it's the first time I haven't been put under the emotional strain of her attacks and cheap shots in 34 years.

And everyone is sleeping this AM and I am sitting hear in the silence.

**AmyBoz** · 12-26-2007, 09:23 AM

My Christmas was good this year because...

We had my parents come here and my whole family got to wear our jammies all day.

Dh cooked a wonderful turkey and now we'll have leftovers for a week.

I have LOTS of new books to read, plus some Barnes and Noble gift cards to replenish my supply when done.

The kids loved what we got them and didn't complain about the lack of quantity because they enjoyed what they did get.

We got to spend the whole day together as a family.

**carlitasway** · 12-26-2007, 09:41 AM

We had a very low key day. It didn't really feel like Christmas but it was still nice. We had a big meal for breakfast and then went to the movies. Then the kids hung out and played with their toys and that was it. It was just us and it was nice.

**YankeeMom** · 12-26-2007, 09:57 AM

I saw my brother & his family for the first time in 3 years for the first Christmas in 8 years. They live in Florida and it's hard for them to get up here to NY ($$$).

We bought everything with cash. Absolutely no credit at all

**LizaZ** · 12-26-2007, 10:18 AM

My Christmas was good this year because we went back to Unity Church. Saw some people we hadn't seen in awhile and heard a wonderful lesson on living the Christ Presence.

Thank you for starting this. All the negativity was really starting to get to me.

**jamie79** · 12-26-2007, 10:54 AM

We had a good Christmas because the 4 of us are together and we are all reasonably happy and healthy

**nancycg56** · 12-26-2007, 10:58 AM

My Christmas was good this year because both of kids were here (20somethings) and they STILL get up early like when they were little. We had a wonderful dinner and DD's boyfriend joined us and afterwards we had a rip-roaring game of Trivial Pursuit

My last old dog died at Thanksgiving and my DH had already bought me something from him and I had a crying jag for my dogs for about 1/2 an hour in the middle of opening presents and nobody minded

It was a really nice day...now if that kitchen-cleaning fairy would get here......

**3hungryboys** · 12-26-2007, 11:27 AM

My Christmas was good because...

We stayed within our budget, and paid cash for all gifts.

The kids were thrilled with the presents we got even though we cut the budget back.

We got to spend the day with DH's family, and DMIL did all the cooking and sent us home with leftovers (incl. the turkey carcass and ham bone with lots of meat left-enough for leftovers for about a week!). We had a great time!

We were able to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

**miss_thrifty** · 12-26-2007, 11:34 AM

Christmas was pretty good this except the truck breaking down.
We spent xmas day mostly all day at home, relaxing. Just went to visit cousin and their kids , wish them Mery Christmas.
We dont visit his side of the family after xmas, so no emotional distress on me anymore and the kids.
I never use any c.c. this year at all for xmas items, it was great.

**ms. frugal kugel** · 12-26-2007, 11:35 AM

My Christmas was good this year because...

I did everything I set out to do, visit-wise

My dad was actually moving FASTER than when I last visited him in the Veteran's home - he's made many friends and it was the best part of the day.

I got some wonderful warm boots that I really needed

No one gave me chocolate!

We didn't go overboard with the budget

My children were wonderful and beautiful as always and I held them a lot.

A lot of the snow melted!

I didn't let anyone push my buttons

Despite bouncing a check this morning (forgot an automatic payment) I am still facing finances head on and know I can deal with this.

**forHISglory** · 12-26-2007, 11:50 AM

Because.....
1. our whole extended family gathered to hear a nephew read the Christmas story to us.
2. my parents were still able to host us, despite advanced age and physical problems
3. we could bring our 7 year old granddaughter from out of state home with us for Christmas week.
4. I received homemade bread from my sis, which is exactly what I asked for.
5. I received homemade tables from my father, and 2 crocks that had been in the family for a 2 or 3 generations.
6. We got some gift cards that will be handy.
7. We got homemade ornaments for the tree.
8. We attended church.
9. We enjoyed our traditional Swedish foods.
10. We set up an appetizer bar and a salad bar for one of our meals, and everybody brought something for it. It was easy and light.
11. We celebrated a niece finishing basic training and a niece's engagement.
12. We all cried together remembering a nephew's death and a family crisis. And we supported each other.
13. The house was full of love and celebration and peace. We gave gifts to everyone, but spent very little. That's how we do it..... lots of homemade items.
14. The weather was awful, but we had safety in traveling.
15. It was a time of peace and contentment as we contemplated the birth of Christ.

**FrugalWitch** · 12-26-2007, 11:52 AM

My Christmas was great because for the first time ever my brother didn't act like an a$$. Momma, DH and I are all still reeling from the shock.

**kcsmom76** · 12-26-2007, 11:53 AM

My Christmas was good this year because dh and I decided to stay home on Christmas Day instead of running to five different places. I had to cook, but we were all relaxed and the kids got to play with their stuff immediately instead of sitting at someone's house sulking wanting to play with their stuff.

It was also good because we paid for everything in cash.

**StartingOver** · 12-26-2007, 11:57 AM

My Christmas was good this year because......

~ We did not overspend...paid cash for everything, nothing put on cc this year! First time ever!!!

~ I scaled waaaaay back this year and did not buy gifts for everyone that I knew, and you know what? No one seemed to notice and I had no guilt!

~ My kids were very happy with what they got and have really enjoyed being home with us and I have not heard "I'm bored" yet

~ We have enough leftovers to last us 5-6 days!

Now, to tackle getting the tree down...I hate doing that....I'm tired just thinking of getting that done.

**dcompton** · 12-26-2007, 12:01 PM

Christmas was good because I decided just to rest. December was grueling with an unexpected move -- I'm getting too old to move without help! -- and I was exhausted. I had a little more to put away, but decided that Sunday-Tuesday I would pretend not to see it and do nothing but sit, read, and work a couple of new jigsaw puzzles. It was a wonderful and much needed break.