Christmas

One of the HARDEST things for me, was the holidays.  With three little children, it was hard to not have presents especially since I've probably always overdone what was under the tree on Christmas morning.  Its hard to look at your little child and say that Santa isn't coming this year or that Santa just isn't going to bring much this year.  ... VERY HARD.  It was one of the hardest times for me.  I remember crying A LOT!  It was hard to listen to "the hustle and bustle" of Christmas.

I tried to stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas and serving others.  But we had always tried to keep the true meaning of Christmas in our home and tried to serve others, so it didn't make sense to the kids that this year we were focusing on that AND not getting presents ... tough situation.  I have to say, it will be different for each family and I would recommend talking to extended family and to your Bishop.  They may have ideas or the ability to help. 

I watched very carefully for sales and gifts with purchases that could be used as gifts.  But if there is no money to spend, even a GREAT sale won't put presents under the tree.  So, I turned to what I already had... I looked for things around the house that I could use to make gifts (fabric scraps, art supplies, photos, etc).  I made a lot of gifts.  I looked for ideas online as well.  I found codes for free digital scrapbooks (http://www.artscow.com/ is who I used but other companies also offer free books from time to time) so I created scrapbooks of a trip my husband and I had taken before our finances changed, baby books (first year) for each of our children and one with pictures of our year for the family.   Each book cost me about $6 for shipping.  We also gave "experiences" rather than gifts like family outings to upcoming free concerts/events.  You can find free or inexpensive concerts, plays and productions in your community and at local colleges.  

My sister-in-law suggested that for Christmas that year, rather than the cousins buying a gift for another cousin (we draw names amongst the cousins) that each cousin make a gift or give a "used" gift to give to the name they had drawn.  That way none of the parents felt obligated to buy gifts.  It might be a book that they've already read or a toy they have outgrown or just want to share.  It might be a hair bow made from ribbons and fabric scraps.  It might be a journal made from an inexpensive notebook (buy at back-to-school time and cover the front cover with a fun scrapbook paper or a hand-drawn picture or decorate with stickers you have around the house).  It might be a story written and illustrated by the gift-giver.  Or maybe take an old (or dollar store) picture frame and paint and decorate it then add a picture.  Or maybe its a coupon for no chores or a game night or the chance to choose their favorite dessert or dinner.  There are lots of options.  Get creative and plan ahead!  It may be months before Christmas and you may have risen above the financial hardship by the holidays, but it is always better to be prepared. 

As I mentioned earlier, giving gifts of service can also help.  We talked a lot with our children about how others had EVEN less than what we have.   Talk to your R.S. President or humanitarian specialist and see if she has supplies that you can use to do a service project.  When children receive less than previous years, it makes it much easier if they understand how little others have and feel the joy of giving to them.  Often humanitarian specialists have ideas, supplies and/or kits that can be completed for next to nothing.  When your child gives a teddy bear to the Humanitarian center or an orphanage in your area and understands that the only thing that child has is that one bear, its easier to accept just 1 or 2 presents under the tree.    And always remember, it is the memories and feelings that we create that will matter.