tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339303059074627867.post6153684545994033193..comments2008-11-03T22:01:13.013-06:00Just a smalltown girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04562245873939567556noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339303059074627867.post-78528412032307825512008-11-03T21:59:00.000-06:002008-11-03T21:59:00.000-06:00I guess, I view this from a different angle. Were it not for some friends that have nominated my family for a Christmas gift program, we would be unable to afford Christmas this year or have to go the gently used toy route. One can just as lovingly and carefully choose those gifts as they can the normal gifts. Our son, has asthma and has been very ill this fall. He has had horrid asthma attacks and pnuemonia. The high cost of medical care even with insurance has drained us. This week alone, we payed rent and are scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to groceries, waiting for payday on Friday. I am a sahm. Oh I could go back to work and have more income but MOST of it would go to daycare. So we choose to take what little we can give and make it happy. We will have to skimp on Christmas this year, our children will be none the worse for wear because we have taught them over time, Christmas is not about the gift you get under the tree but about the gift you were given through Christ. I too grew up poor and do you know my favorite Christmas? The year all I got was a brush, a mirror and a small doll. Why? because my mother made Christmas fun despite the lack of presents. She made it an adventure. We too will take what little we have and make it an adventure. We will celebrate the love of our family despite not having a big Christmas. You can make Christmas happy with very little. Its about the love, not the present. Am I sad about the fact we can't afford Christmas, yes. But I am thrilled that my son is breathing and better for now. His medical bills alone threaten to send us under. There are many reasons a person has to choose a frugal Christmas. But if you can take that frugal Christmas and turn it into love.....it far outweighs what is missing. My children DO want specific things.......a nintendo ds, a doll that is 60 bucks, a bike etc. BUT they will get some things just NOT those expensive things. They will get something on their wish list. It will not be the most expensive and we will have sought long and hard to find what we can afford. and because of the genorosity of others they will have Christmas. I guess my heart breaks that others dont know that those of us who have to give a frugal Christmas don't do so lightly or easily. It is with a heavy heart. But all being said.....my children will have love and security, a roof over their heads, food on the table and faith that can move moutntains. I am not saying that is what you meant in your thread......just lending a view from the other side......the side that has no choice but to give that frugal Christmas. I dream of the day.......I can give my kids the Christmas of their dreams. That day will come, but for now.......we will make what they do get, gifts of love and joy and never tell them the sacrifice it took. Dh and I will go without presents, and other things for ourselves in order for our kids to have something besides the donated gifts........they will get at least one special present from Mommy and Daddy. God is faithful and He will bless us and He will make our Christmas filled with the magic of His love.Thelmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04633869398284659614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339303059074627867.post-56511875930793878862008-11-01T14:35:00.000-05:002008-11-01T14:35:00.000-05:00I am definitely not frugal at Christmas. We were a very poor family as well, and lots of times our gifts were donated by social services or a shelter. My mom did try to get us a couple things we really wanted, though. It is hard to be poor and tough to be frugal, but you shouldn't skimp on Christmas. Of course, no reason to break the bank, either, just make it nice and make it happy.PBandJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184023704441081915noreply@blogger.com