razz
1-1-11, 8:33pm
It began about 5 years ago when both our kids were into large financial commitments and needed every penny. DH and I need nothing and we had no idea what sizes family members were or what was needed plus the travel distance in winter became an issue as well. I absolutely detest simply exchanging gift cards!!!!!
I suggested that we skip present exchange except for the little one. They agreed and it has taken enormous pressure off everyone.
It was a challenge at first as I had been trying to buy gifts throughout the year previously and now I didn't have a reason no matter how good a deal I found.;)
I got a very small potted 5' artificial tree with its own lights that will hold all my favourite Christmas decorations and fit into a corner of the living room.
Five years later, everyone is pleased with this arrangement. We enjoy a good visit with a really nice meal but we also cut out excess food, sweets and treats this year. We know if extra food and sweets are put out, we just keep nibbling and then feel awfully stuffed and uncomfortable afterwards so we avoided the problem.
DH didn't feel quite as depressed and 'Bah, humbug" as in other years with the resulting lower stress so I enjoyed things more as well.
DD1 did make up a small decorative bag of goodies - some homemade cookies and homemade bath salts for me and something similar for DH which was just right. I gave her some special glass cleaning cloths that I had stitched up and a large bag of locally grown peanuts for her DH.
It seems that the stress of Christmas can be managed or reduced by choosing the desirable expectations and then actually doing it.
Anyone else do something similar this year?
I suggested that we skip present exchange except for the little one. They agreed and it has taken enormous pressure off everyone.
It was a challenge at first as I had been trying to buy gifts throughout the year previously and now I didn't have a reason no matter how good a deal I found.;)
I got a very small potted 5' artificial tree with its own lights that will hold all my favourite Christmas decorations and fit into a corner of the living room.
Five years later, everyone is pleased with this arrangement. We enjoy a good visit with a really nice meal but we also cut out excess food, sweets and treats this year. We know if extra food and sweets are put out, we just keep nibbling and then feel awfully stuffed and uncomfortable afterwards so we avoided the problem.
DH didn't feel quite as depressed and 'Bah, humbug" as in other years with the resulting lower stress so I enjoyed things more as well.
DD1 did make up a small decorative bag of goodies - some homemade cookies and homemade bath salts for me and something similar for DH which was just right. I gave her some special glass cleaning cloths that I had stitched up and a large bag of locally grown peanuts for her DH.
It seems that the stress of Christmas can be managed or reduced by choosing the desirable expectations and then actually doing it.
Anyone else do something similar this year?