The Christmas 'Man Cave"

I was driving to work this morning and I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the announcer say that there a special place in Macy's dept store for the hubby's to wait while their wives do the Christmas shopping. The room is equipped with lounge chairs and comfy coaches and large flat screen T.V.s to watch sports or whatever. He compared it to a "Man Cave" which I thought was kind of unique. It just goes to show you how far the retail business will go to get people to spend money!

Curb Holiday Spending Without Being A Scrooge

People don’t realize it but Christmas has bloomed into a nearly $400 billion dollar spending spree in our country, maybe Ebenezer Scrooge shouldn’t have listened to the spirits that came to visit him that Christmas Eve night so long ago.

I estimate that the average American adult will spend about $740 dollars on gifts alone this season. With the economy still so much up in arms I think it’s time to go back to a simpler way of doing the holiday gift exchange this year.

How do you approach the delicate subject with friends and family? The key is not to wait until the last minute to set up the criteria that you will use for gift giving this season. I found it easy to explain to my family that I just don’t have the extra money to buy gifts for everyone. I have to admit that they were quite relieved because everyone seems to be on a budget this year.

If you have friends and relatives that you might only see during the holidays a thoughtful way to easily broach the subject of cutting back on gift giving this year is to send a nice little note or e-mail letting them know that you would rather not exchange gifts this year, maybe just do some baked goodies and tell them that you will look forward to seeing them.

If you are one of those people that feels you just have to buy gifts even though small. Just put a cap on your spending limit per person and try not to use credit cards. Remember a sale is not a sale if you don’t have the money.

If you’re in the habit of exchanging gifts with your colleagues at work why not just exchange a holiday greeting card instead with a nice holiday wish. Remember it’s the thought that counts.

Believe me you will be so much happier this season doing the simple kind of gift giving like baking or make simple things. I watched a movie the other day called the Walton’s Homecoming it took place back during the great depression of the 1930’s but to see how the holiday was focused more around the family really got me thinking of how I could do the same this year. So I will be going back to a simpler way of celebrating Christmas this year.

For those of you who really would like to give a small gift this Christmas here are just a few suggestions to keep gift giving simple:

1. Dollar-Store Gift Exchange: Remember it’s the thought that counts. See how creative you can be.

2. Regift exchange: If you have something that was given to you that is in mint or nearly mint condition that you think someone else might enjoy wrap it up and give it in the spirit of the holiday season. Remember it’s only regifting if that’s what’s in you heart.

3. Handmade Gifts: Handmade gifts are always a hit with me because that means that someone who cares took the time to think of you.

4. Photos Gift Exchange: I’m a grandma and I love photo gifts because they always remind me how blessed I am long after Christmas.

5. Giving to Charity: Do you have a favorite charity that you would like to donate to in instead of the regular gift exchange. That is a gift that will keep on giving long after Christmas.

6. Don’t Forget the Homemade Baked Goodies: They’re always a great gift for those that don’t have the time to enjoy baking their own goodies.

7. Give A Talent-Show: For those who are really creative give a Christmas talent show for family and friends. It’s a lot of fun and something that will be remembered in our hearts and memories for years to come.

8. The Gift of Your Time: The gift of time is always appreciated. Maybe some babysitting or doing some chores or errands for the person you’re giving the gift to.

Inexpensive holiday season might be more enjoyable that you think. As Dr. Seuss wrote in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”:

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!’

Merry Christmas.....

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone all that remains are a few leftovers and all the great memories. I have to say that this year was one of the best holidays I can remember spending with my family. Everyone chipped in and did something special for the dinner and we had such a great choice of every ones special recipes. The only way to put on a great meal is to have everyone pitch in. I think that we will do this every holiday season.

Here is a special cute picture of Isla enjoying her part of Thanksgiving dinner your never to young or old to enjoy the holiday spirit.

THE DAY BEFORE TURKEY DAY!!!

Well I guess you can say that the Holiday Season is now in full swing. Kids are anticipating Christmas and the adults are just waiting to see how the Thanksgiving turkey is going to come out. There are those who by now through no fault of their own have to wait in the two hour boarding lines at the airports and they are hoping that they won't get bumped off flights! Oh my what a joy each year when the season comes around.

The stores are already in full Christmas BUY mode and are trying to entice us in every way possible with sales discounts and competing with one another and of course online ordering. As far as I'm concerned BLACK FRIDAY means absolutely nothing at all to me. When all the crazies are out stomping the malls at 5:00 o'clock in the morning I will be snugly warm under my down comforter in bed sound asleep.

I'm not planning to buy Christmas gifts for anyone but my grandchildren and my little grandnephew so I think that for the first time in a long time I am just focusing on my family and friends and of course I am loving all my Christmas music. No stress for me this year. Again I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving and all the blessings for the upcoming holiday season.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Wishing you a day spent with good friends, loving family and good food.

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, BUT I JUST COUNLDN'T SLEEP. I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS, I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKEONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE, BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION. SO, I RACED TO THE KICHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR, AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE. GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES, PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND, 'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND. I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY, WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE, BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,

MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.

MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!!

Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours and may your holiday season be filled with many many blessings and joys!!!

Baby Love Between Isla and Vivianna

This is probably one of the cutest baby pictures I have of these two little important people in my life. This truly shows the unconditional love that these two babies share. Unconditional love is what life is all about. Isn't it funny how we have to learn this from our little ones.