couponqueenofcorning

While I was at my parent’s house for Thanksgiving, my mother and I were looking through photos from when I was a child. I was especially interested in the Christmas ones. My parents didn’t have a lot of money for presents, but somehow I seem to remember Christmas fondly. The things that stick out in my mind most are the presents I received from my grandmother. Ninety percent of the presents we got from her were homemade but we really liked them. I remember her making my sister and I both dolls that were like Cabbage Patch Kids. She made us nightgowns and night caps, with matching ones for our dolls. She was always making us something for Christmas.

My point in bringing all this up is, with the money being so tight this Christmas, people might be concerned that their kids may be disappointed with not getting expensive gifts or as many as they usually get. Younger children will  not knoe the difference. For older children, you may want to explain why you won’t be spending as much money as you usually do. Tell them a little about the bad economy and that you do not want to put any additional amounts on credit card. Have them pick out one thing that they really want for Christmas and try to get that one thing for them (set a limit if you think your kid is going to ask for something pricey).

My 10 year old son already knows we have a $100 limit for each kid. I am, of course, trying to get the best deals and get them as many things as possible with that $100. He is getting an MP3 player that we bought for $25 and I have been accumulating Pepsi Points so he can get some music for it. I would love to get my daughter one of those play kitchens. but with the decent ones starting at $75, it would mean she would get little else for Christmas. So, we decided not to get it this year and got her other things.

We are going to concentrate on starting new traditions this year, that hopefully the kids will always remember. My daughter is at an age where she wants to help out, so she will be helping me make cookies. Of course, we will all be making and decorating sugar cookies. What are your holiday traditions? Any new ones you would like to start?