The economy is terrible. Many people are on unemployment or worse yet unemployment has stopped. Christmas is right around the corner and for many families, it is the first Christmas they have no idea how they will have a Christmas at all.
This would be the year to have a homemade Christmas. This is the year to do more as a family and to create precious memories. Make gifts for your family, children, and friends. Watch Christmas movies together. Make homemade ornaments and tree trimmings. Bake Christmas cookies as a family. Take a walk or drive around to look at Christmas lights. Attend a free Christmas parade. Get involved with Church. Many will have special services or Christmas plays. Attend a live nativity. The options are limitless if you put your mind to it and keep your eyes and ears open. Here are a few of my favorite websites to get homemade gift, recipes, and decoration ideas:
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/giftstomake/a/071702a.htm
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/index.shtml#kids
http://fun.familyeducation.com/christmas/gifts/47484.html
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/homemadegifts.htm (scroll down for Christmas ideas)
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmasgifts_from_kids.htm
http://www.stretcher.com/menu/topic-a.htm#christmas (plan to be at this site for a long time)
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ (do a search for Christmas) This website has a wealth of money saving ideas. The recipe section has recipes for even convenience foods and of course there are recipes for gifts in a jar.
Also, check your local craigslist and free cycle groups daily. Many people are giving toys, Christmas trees, decorations, and other items you can use. The offers will be more plentiful the closer we get to Christmas. It helps you and keeps items out of the landfills. Think about your best Christmas memories, I bet it wasn't so much the gifts as it was the time together as a family and the activities done together. I hope you have the best memory making Christmas ever.
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