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Subject Topic: Christmas Gifts - simplicity? Post ReplyPost New Topic
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MarilynW
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Posted: Oct 08 2014 at 7:18pm | IP Logged Quote MarilynW
It's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. I just feel sad looking at all the pain and trouble in the world, and it makes us just want a quiet and simple Christmas.

I am trying to think of some charitable ideas - esp. to help the persecuted and displaced Christians in Iraq.

Ideas for simplifying? Donation ideas?

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JodieLyn
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Posted: Oct 08 2014 at 7:46pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn
I think anything that makes it more personal for the kids would be a good idea. But I don't have any resources to offer.

My one thought is if you're changing how you've done Christmas in the past, that you should really talk up exactly what you mean when you say simplifying Christmas. Everyone, but especially kids, will be the most disappointed not because of what happens in the way of activities or gifts but if their expectation is very different than reality. And don't just tell them but have them tell you what they're picturing so that you can also keep an idea of what they're hearing rather than just what you're saying.

I can actually remember my parents telling me how much less a particular Christmas was going to be.. hmmm I think I was around 11. So we weren't really expecting much. But I can remember Christmas morning wondering what they had been talking about because for me it seemed just as magical as previous ones. Now I can see that a lot of it wasn't expensive "dream" gifts. But they were still things that meant something. I got a book (I always love getting books) and a fancy book mark but I also think the warning helped set my expectations so that what we did get got the credit it deserved rather than disappointment because it didn't meet my imagination.

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SeaStar
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Posted: Oct 09 2014 at 6:04am | IP Logged Quote SeaStar
Samaritan's Purse!!

You can order a catalog and go through it with your kids- they can "buy" items to donate, everything from fruit trees to baby chickens to warm coats, to people in need around the world.

You can also fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child with your kids.
It is a wonderful program.

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MarilynW
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Posted: Oct 09 2014 at 7:57am | IP Logged Quote MarilynW
I agree Jodie. We discuss it as a family. Actually, Advent and Christmas are generally very simple for us anyway - our focus is on the season and the things my kids like most are all the traditions and also Dad being off work for Christmas and New Year. We do not do big expensive gifts etc.

I just feel sad thinking about all those displaced families in camps in the Middle East, and wondering what we can do for them.

Thanks Melinda - we have done Operation Shoebox. I wish there was a way to personally help families with nothing.

Also trying to help extended family to think more of the meaning of Christmas, rather than the gift giving and entertaining.

Emphasizing - I love the gift making, gift giving and extending hospitality. December in our house is focused on Advent, and it is always magical. Everyone loves buying and making and wrapping gifts. Baking happens every day. We invite people to come and share a meal with us each week. There is always a hushed anticipation culminating in Midnight Mass.

SO...I don't want to change this. I just want to be more aware....maybe I don't really know what I want to say

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MarilynW
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Posted: Oct 09 2014 at 8:00am | IP Logged Quote MarilynW
I need to find that handmade gift thread from last year.

Last Advent I made Christmas Jam as gifts for the first time and it was a real hit. I gave pretty jars as a gift with a loaf of fresh baked bread.

This year I am thinking of making beeswax jar candles...

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CrunchyMom
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Posted: Oct 09 2014 at 9:00am | IP Logged Quote CrunchyMom
This year, I think dh wants to make crates for the boys to have for their treasures/personal things.

I am thinking of making some personalized throws for the living room. Folding up big full-sized blankets is a drag no one wants to do multiple times a day, but everyone wants a blanket to snuggle in when reading or watching television. I have flannel, and someone gave us many old sheets and blankets I think I can use for batting and a non-flannel side to the blankets. Plus, I have an embroidery machine that I can embroider their names on them.

We are also planning to get camo BDUs for the boys. We have gone through many different styles and brands of jeans and play pants, but we have one pair of pants that were hand me downs from a family of boys and they are on their third boy here and still going strong!! They are "real" BDUs, made from the same fabric of military pants. I bought the boys each a pair of rip-stop camo pants last Christmas, and they wore them every day and wore them to shreds! So, I hope that the pants we can find are the same as the ones that have worn like iron.

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