Nice thought--but I couldn't go thru with it. Well--I didn't want to "actually' cancel Christmas...I just wanted to "cut back" on the EXCESS of it all.
With our trip to Florida in January, which will cost us some major cash (which we have the $ saved for), I thought we needed to definitely scale back on the gifts for everyone. This was back in October that I presented the idea to the family, and all reluctantly agreed. They knew it was for a good reason, and could live with it.
As we got closer to the holiday season, I became the villian of the family--the scrooge--the wicked witch of the North Pole. What, for God's sake, would the kids have to look forward to this Christmas--or so they thought? Why can't I enforce the true meaning of Christmas to my kids. It's not about Santa and presents. It's about the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!
Did I sense a possible mutiny in the works? OK--OK--fine--we'll continue with the usual tradition. Make the lists already!
As the kids get older, the wish list items become pricier. BRK wants nothing other than an XBox 360. If he can't have that--forget it. His life is over! No pressure--right? Compromise. A contract is prepared and signed by all parties. Ben pays $150. Parents (aka Santa) pays the remaining $150+. If nothing else, he was easy to shop for.
AMK changes her mind, depending on which way the wind is blowing. First it's a tv for her room, then a basketball, then an iPod, then music cd's, then an electric scooter! Of course we need to keep things equal. HDTV/DVD combo--only if Santa tells Abby to reimburse her parents $100--since the tv was over their limit, and she had agreed to chip in some of her $, since she knew that was an expensive gift. (Am I ruining the spirit of Christmas, by making my kids chip in their own dough to help buy their own Xmas gifts? Hell no, I'm not! That's the only way they'd get these extravagent gifts!!!)
So--I didn't cancel Christmas--as I threatened to do. What would Jesus do? MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!!!
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I was stressed out this year, trying to keep everything equal, making sure everyone had the same # of gifts... I just is nearly impossible!
And while my kids did not ask for any BIG gifts (except Cameron wanted an iPod), they have started this crazy thing of thinking everything article of clothing they wear has to be emblazoned with "Hollister" or "Abercrombie" on it. GoodLord, I will go broke getting these kids through their teenage years!
Merry Christmas, and tell everyone we said hello!
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