a simple Christmas

This year we had a small and simple Christmas.  I had lots of people ask if we were going to be ok for the holiday and I kept assuring every one we'd be fine.  We had a "no toy" Christmas two years ago and I loved it.  I think the kids enjoyed it, too.  They really appreciated the things they received.  Santa brought them each a toy, but the majority of the rest of their gifts were practical things or experiences.   Last year we had a more "normal" Christmas and it just wasn't the same.  It didn't help that we had sick kids for Christmas, but I also didn't like the focus on "stuff".  So... it really was ok that we couldn't afford to do much for Christmas this year.  I like Christmas better when there isn't so much "stuff" and it's more about time together and traditions.  I also didn't feel like working myself to death to give my kids a "normal" type Christmas on no budget.  It can be done.  I did it last year.  But... they've all be SO naughty the past couple months... I just didn't feel like doing it. 

So, what does a simple Christmas look like? 

Well, we put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving (like always) and decorated up the whole house. 

We bought a live tree from Baum's, like we do every year, for the family room.  We had our extended family Smorgasbord. 

We went caroling with friends.

We had dinner and decorated cookies and gingerbread houses with friends.

We played lots of Christmas music and watched lots of Christmas movies together.  (I even introduced my kids to The Fourth Wiseman.  As we watched, we talked about his choice to use the gifts in other ways and how important it is to help others.  Nini was so touched she was crying by the end, when the Savior comes to him and tells him He has accepted his gifts.) 

We made cookies with Grandma and Great-grandma and opened gifts on the 23rd. 

We did a Christmas Eve program for the assisted living center across the street.  (I'm trying to make this a tradition.  We were supposed to be there last year, but the flu interfered.)  We had a Nativity and Monkey and Nini sang O Holy Night.  Then Nini sang a solo (at her request).  She wanted to sing them her song from the Primary Program (I will follow God's plan for me). 

 

Then it was home to open the kids' new jammies and watch Christmas Eve on Sesame Street before bed.

 

Grandpa and MaryAnn came and the kids opened those gifts, as well.  Nini had a hard night and woke up with an ear-ache.  The most upsetting to her was that now Santa couldn't come, since she wasn't asleep.  Later W woke up with an ear-ache, too.  But Santa still managed to get the stockings filled and by morning I had three kids in bed with me.  Monkey woke up early, ready to go, but I made her go back to bed for a couple hours, since everyone else had had such a hard night.  Finally, everyone was up and we went downstairs to check the stockings.

The kids each got a stuffed animal (Monkey got nice lotion, being a teenager), playdough, a little coloring book, their own mini sparkling cider, popcorn and lots of candy.  Not a lot, but they were thrilled.  Especially W.  He had written a last minute note to Santa on Christmas Eve with a list of the things he wanted.  It had this mom a little worried, since it was too late for Santa to change things up.  But Santa knows that boy pretty well and had everything on the list covered (except for the lifesavers candy).  W was so excited that Santa had followed his list. 

Christmas really doesn't need lots of "stuff" to be magical.  The kids opened their gifts to each other and each got a sketch book from mom and dad and then we were off to Christmas Breakfast with my extended family.   Breakfast ended with a wild and crazy gun battle.  My mom provided a set of nerf style guns for each of her children and we had little foam circles flying all over.  I even found one down the back of my sweater that night.  My family is so much fun!

 

 

After breakfast we ran home for a little break and I took Trigger for a walk.  Then it was off to Grandma's for a wonderful Christmas dinner.  Such a fun (and exhausting) day!!

 

 





P.S.  Here are some shots of Nini and W in the nativity that the primary kids did: