Post by tookmo on Sept 4, 2008 0:08:37 GMT -5
HI Everyone.
I thought I would share a holiday tradition which I started with my daughter after my divorce when she was 2.
My daughter knows what its like to suffer loss and was greatly affected by my car accident...there was no Christmas for a few years because I couldn't manage, but we are back on track.
I have always had my friends and family update me as to what they are interested in or wanted. Before Thanksgiving weekend in Canada (October), I buy all my gifts for my family and make sure that if our family pulls names that its done October 1st and no later.
On the weekend, I complete my shopping (especially the big ticket items). Stocking stuffers I start compiling but usually have to wait until November for them.
I wrap all my gifts over the weekend and place them in the closet. My daughter wraps her gifts and puts them away too. We then enjoy Turkey dinner and the rest of our Thanksgiving weekend.
On November 11th in Canada is Rememberance Day. It's when we honor all the soldiers who have fought and/or served our Country. We set up our Christmas tree on this day later in the afternoon (false tree and decorations) and pull out all our Christmas books, cds, vhs, and dvds.
This extends our Christmas season. We also bake throughout November and freeze several boxes of whipped shortbread cookies, chocolate peanut butter covered marachino stemmed cherries and home made almond rocha to distribute to those last minute parties, get togethers, doctors offices, & other businesses who serve me.
All my Christmas cards are labelled Thanksgiving weekend and mailed December 7th. I buy my cards on clearance after Christmas...wrap, decorations, bags, etc.
I purchase a few extra special boxes and wrap them up or wrap them in a bow for those unexpected gifts that arrive. Some past ideas are mugs with coffee cards, mugs with Mc'D's & dvd rental certificates, mug with swimming & movie passes. Home baked goodies with 'peanut allergie or nut warning'. Watch for clearance sales at Dish Stores or Department Stores. The nicest looking mugs or most interesting.
My daughter loves it because we start the singing and the spirit of Christmas transcends through our house. My friends have always loved it AND JOINED IN on the festivities before they moved away.They still phone me on these special days to get a breath of the spirit meanwhile letting me know their husbands won't allow it until after the first week of December.
It frees up a lot of finances that are stretched over the holidays. Even if you can't start this, this year, you can prepare to try it for the next year! It's fun and exciting. I recommend you take digital photos of your gifts if you tend to forget often. Then you can stick it in a photo file on your computer and no one knows why you have these pictures.
On the afternoon of December 26th, all decorations, videos, cd's, etc. are boxed up and put away until the next October. We are ready for January and don't have to worry about being to constricted financially.
GET IN THE SPIRIT OF TRADITIONS!!!
Share your Christmas traditions and help make new ones possible for others!
I thought I would share a holiday tradition which I started with my daughter after my divorce when she was 2.
My daughter knows what its like to suffer loss and was greatly affected by my car accident...there was no Christmas for a few years because I couldn't manage, but we are back on track.
I have always had my friends and family update me as to what they are interested in or wanted. Before Thanksgiving weekend in Canada (October), I buy all my gifts for my family and make sure that if our family pulls names that its done October 1st and no later.
On the weekend, I complete my shopping (especially the big ticket items). Stocking stuffers I start compiling but usually have to wait until November for them.
I wrap all my gifts over the weekend and place them in the closet. My daughter wraps her gifts and puts them away too. We then enjoy Turkey dinner and the rest of our Thanksgiving weekend.
On November 11th in Canada is Rememberance Day. It's when we honor all the soldiers who have fought and/or served our Country. We set up our Christmas tree on this day later in the afternoon (false tree and decorations) and pull out all our Christmas books, cds, vhs, and dvds.
This extends our Christmas season. We also bake throughout November and freeze several boxes of whipped shortbread cookies, chocolate peanut butter covered marachino stemmed cherries and home made almond rocha to distribute to those last minute parties, get togethers, doctors offices, & other businesses who serve me.
All my Christmas cards are labelled Thanksgiving weekend and mailed December 7th. I buy my cards on clearance after Christmas...wrap, decorations, bags, etc.
I purchase a few extra special boxes and wrap them up or wrap them in a bow for those unexpected gifts that arrive. Some past ideas are mugs with coffee cards, mugs with Mc'D's & dvd rental certificates, mug with swimming & movie passes. Home baked goodies with 'peanut allergie or nut warning'. Watch for clearance sales at Dish Stores or Department Stores. The nicest looking mugs or most interesting.
My daughter loves it because we start the singing and the spirit of Christmas transcends through our house. My friends have always loved it AND JOINED IN on the festivities before they moved away.They still phone me on these special days to get a breath of the spirit meanwhile letting me know their husbands won't allow it until after the first week of December.
It frees up a lot of finances that are stretched over the holidays. Even if you can't start this, this year, you can prepare to try it for the next year! It's fun and exciting. I recommend you take digital photos of your gifts if you tend to forget often. Then you can stick it in a photo file on your computer and no one knows why you have these pictures.
On the afternoon of December 26th, all decorations, videos, cd's, etc. are boxed up and put away until the next October. We are ready for January and don't have to worry about being to constricted financially.
GET IN THE SPIRIT OF TRADITIONS!!!
Share your Christmas traditions and help make new ones possible for others!
