Next year I am starting Christmas in July! Even though we have severely limited our spending these last years, I find when I tend to wait closer to the "appropriate" time to buy (ie: after Thanksgiving when all the *deals* hit) I get severely stressed out. I am sure there are many great deals out there now, just don't have the time to find them, and I am certain that if I start looking and purchasing in July, that I will be able to find great deals as well!
So, with that being said, I find myself scurrying along to find all these last necessary purchases at a good price, and am afraid I am spending more just to "get it done"!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Gifts...
...we have tremendously cut back on gift buying these last few years. This year I'm working on giving practical and consumable gifts. You know the kind that won't clutter up the dresser and backs of closets! :)
With our children, of course, we will give one splurge gift. We are trying to teach our children to be givers during this season rather than receivers....therefore we participate in Operation Christmas Child with Samaritans Purse~I love that this organization allows people to minister to children overseas. Our children know that what we spend on OCC comes out of the amount budgeted for their gifts.
So this week finds me preparing shoes boxes that need to be delivered to the drop off station tomorrow as they head for the children who are meant to receive them.
Their are other items on my list for preparing to give to others...I may have time to post about that...someday!
Celebrating the reason of the season ~ the gift of new life through Jesus Christ!
With our children, of course, we will give one splurge gift. We are trying to teach our children to be givers during this season rather than receivers....therefore we participate in Operation Christmas Child with Samaritans Purse~I love that this organization allows people to minister to children overseas. Our children know that what we spend on OCC comes out of the amount budgeted for their gifts.
So this week finds me preparing shoes boxes that need to be delivered to the drop off station tomorrow as they head for the children who are meant to receive them.
Their are other items on my list for preparing to give to others...I may have time to post about that...someday!
Celebrating the reason of the season ~ the gift of new life through Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Preparations
This week I've started putting my lists together as to what needs done! I've pared down those who we will buy for. My dh's family has decided to draw names these last few years! That has been a blessing ~ it really takes away from that attitude of "how much am I going to get". We have also explained to the children that their gifts will be pretty minimal, that our focus this year is to give more to others who are not as fortunate. I am working hard at trying to reduce our debt so I am working on a budget, hoping to complete it soon! And then to start purchasing gifts so there is no mad rush, spend more than I planned to moments as Christmas day draws near.
This year I really am striving to get our family's focus back on Christ in Christmas. And am praying that the Lord will help me in that area!
This year I really am striving to get our family's focus back on Christ in Christmas. And am praying that the Lord will help me in that area!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Christmas Countdown
It's hard to believe that mid-October is here! I feel like I'm already so behind in Christmas preparations. Not sure when we will head North, nothing done for our family picture card that I REALLY want to get done and sent out this year! And it seems like weekends are all booked up!
I don't like the materialism that Christmas has become -- this year it is my goal to stay away from that!! But I do love to celebrate Christmas! I love to set up our nativity set and remember that the reason for Christmas is that God sent His Son. I love to set up our tree and be reminded of His everlasting love, and His sacrifice on the cross. I love to sing Christmas carols, I love the scent of Christmas, I love the "feel" of Christmas -- that cozy peaceful quiet....
Most of all I love to make memories...with Dad in the early last stages of Alzheimer's I'm finding that making memories is so important!! Lots of pictures and laughter and time together.....my heart has been so grieved these last couple of years--this year we, I, will celebrate Christmas with a very thankful heart for all that the Lord has blessed me with.
I don't like the materialism that Christmas has become -- this year it is my goal to stay away from that!! But I do love to celebrate Christmas! I love to set up our nativity set and remember that the reason for Christmas is that God sent His Son. I love to set up our tree and be reminded of His everlasting love, and His sacrifice on the cross. I love to sing Christmas carols, I love the scent of Christmas, I love the "feel" of Christmas -- that cozy peaceful quiet....
Most of all I love to make memories...with Dad in the early last stages of Alzheimer's I'm finding that making memories is so important!! Lots of pictures and laughter and time together.....my heart has been so grieved these last couple of years--this year we, I, will celebrate Christmas with a very thankful heart for all that the Lord has blessed me with.
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