| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| corporatefarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 18 2007 : 2:46:09 PM
Many years ago, when our children were still small, I began to simplify and evalute somethings in our lives. One of the biggies for me was Christmas. Way to commercialized. So as a family we decided to make changes. Gifts were limited to 3 for each child ( to represent the 3 gifts given to baby Jesus), as a family we would volunteer at the soup kitchen at least 2 x between Thanksgiving and Christmas ( to keep us focused on being Thankful), we would do something to help others - food drives, coat drives, help pay someones electric bill, etc... We made gifts to give to extended family - food baskets, herbal gifts, wood crafts. To this day I am so thankful we did this. Over the last few years our youngest son (age 17) has had a hard time thinking of three things to ask for. For us the meaning of Christmas is the birth of our Savior. It is a time to be with family and reflect on the blessings we have.
I was just wondering what some of you other farmgirls do to simplify the holidays and beat away the advertisers saying SPEND.
there is a seed to plant in every heart |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Nin |
Posted - Oct 19 2007 : 2:31:35 PM
This year we all plan to make our own gifts for each other so that Christmas has that nice personal touch :)
www.peachyhollow.com
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| elah |
Posted - Oct 19 2007 : 05:26:08 AM
Thanks for sharing Tamara! My DH and I are young with one young child and another on the way. We have been struggling with how to refocus Christmas back on the birth of Jesus. We started two years ago with giving only gifts we make or making a donation to a person's favorite charity as their gift. Some people loved the idea, other family members were offended. Either way we have stuck to it. I'll have to let me DH know about what your family does. It might help us to refocus even more!
Blog: http://thelahs.blogspot.com/ |
| Holiday Angel |
Posted - Oct 18 2007 : 3:34:10 PM
We have decided that recieving items that are hand made are from the heart and therefore cherished. We enjoy giving to families in need of essentials and know the Lord would have us to do that just as He would do. Oh, the joy of giving!
President Heavenly Angels in Need Children's Division
http://heavenlyangelsinneed.com
Angels in Awareness (About abuse)
http://angelsbeaware.blogspot.com/
America (Support our Soldiers)
http://sugarslifeblog.blogspot.com/
Holiday Blog for Children
http://paulinesholidayblog.blogspot.com/ |
| Nance in France |
Posted - Oct 18 2007 : 3:22:11 PM
Tamara, your example is lovely, and will hopefully inspire many people. This line of thinking is the best gift you could ever give to your children, and no doubt they will take it with them throughout life, and bless you when they remember who started it. |
| MBurns |
Posted - Oct 18 2007 : 2:53:56 PM
What a wonderful thing to teach your children. It is so commercialized and children get way more than they
need. I am trying to introduce my grandchildren to church activities for the holidays like the childrens plays and services. They need a prospective other than
wanting gifts. They need to learn to give to others. |
