Bah humbug!

I’m not in much of a holiday mood this year.

We just got around to putting up our tree, I made my husband wrap gifts by himself while I looked at the growing piles of presents in disgust, and I didn’t even take delight in the fact that he asked me to make both a ham AND a turkey for Christmas dinner.

*Sigh*

The sobering reality that we are officially in a recession (and have been since this time last year) probably has a lot to do with my lack of holiday cheer.

I honestly don’t see the point in buying my children tons and tons of gifts that they don’t want or need when other people have lost half their 401(k)s. Other people have been laid off and are planning on visiting a soup kitchen for their Christmas dinner. Students are having a harder time finding loans to pay for their education. The automakers are hanging on by a thread.

I want my kids to enjoy Christmas, but at this point they’re too young to even know what that means!

I plan on donating all their old clothes (which fills at LEAST three Rubbermaid bins) to a domestic violence shelter or homeless shelter as a way to give back. I might even spend some time at the food bank.

I’ve spent a lot of time this year realizing how blessed we are that we have food to eat, stable income, no debt, and are about to buy a house. I feel like I have to give something back to the people who are hurting most right now, people who might not be able to buy their kids gifts this year or next.

How about you? Are you in the holiday mood or has the economy really soured your outlook on Christmas?

Comments

  1. I did more clutter-free gifts this year. Less stuff, more love. I really want my kids to grow up with knowing that Christmas is not about toys and stuff. Of course I want them to enjoy the excitement of opening presents on Christmas morning, but I also want them to know the joy of giving.

    My favorite Christmas memory as a mom was when my daughter, 4 years old at the time, woke up Christmas morning, headed straight to the back of the tree to get the present she wrapped for her Dad. She ignored the gifts that were sitting in front of the tree with her name on it. I am so glad I have that on tape!

  2. Donating to a domestic violence shelter is an excellent plan. We did so at our last home for several years. Now we donate to a shelter for homeless boys.

    I think the most important thing you can give children for any occasion is an experience. My kids have fond memories of all the places they’ve been and things they’ve done with people who love them. This is far more important than anything that can be bought in any store. That being said…we’re all enjoying our wii that we opened early, heh.

  3. As I’ve gotten older, I get less and less in the Christmas spirit. Plus I guess the selfish part of me can’t wait until the day after when it is MY day :)

    I didn’t think I’d be able to afford much for my son’s first Christmas and it made me sad. However now I look up under his mini tree and smh at how much is under there for him. It’s a lot of little stuff mostly, only maybe 2 big things, but still a lot for someone who will be 6 months the day after.

    Donating to a domestic violence shelter is a GREAT idea and the items are much needed. I can say that because I know first hand by working at one. Not only the women, but the children there have been through so much and are grateful for everything they receive. Some come to the shelters with absolutely nothing at all because it was left with the abuser. I don’t have any of Jaedyn’s old clothes. I am forever giving them away, some stuff he maybe never even got a chance to wear. I’m struggling, but I try to do what I can to help someone else out that I know will benefit from something I was blessed with.

    Anywho, I’m only into the spirit because of my son and it’s not that much since he can’t really appreciate it yet. I have to hype myself up with Christmas music and wrapping presents constantly, etc. It makes me sad because there are things I want to get for others, but with the way things are now, I can’t afford to. That strips away part of the Christmas spirit too :-/

  4. Ok, this is the best holiday post I’ve read thus far. You actually get what the season is really all about and that is both inspirational and full of beauty!

    Times are definitely tuff. I was only able to put two gifts under our tree, both of which we went to the store together to get and both of which are necessities for a growing girl. I decided not to waste time stressing about not being able to spend. What for when I stress the majority of the time about not being able to save? You are right, the kiddies are young and they are most happiest after opening the first 1-2 gifts, lol.

    Its beautiful that you are thinking of others and that you are going to lend your time and useful clothing to familes in need. I think the domestic abuse shelter is an excellent idea!!

  5. I’m only in the holiday mood when I see an old school Xmas story. That’s sad.