Your child may seem to think that the gift on Christmas morning is the most important thing but this time next year they won't remember it as well as what you do with them in the days before and after. The greatest gift you can give them is a smile, a memory, a tradition. They will remember that long after the batteries have died in the walking, talking, pooing pup.
So money is way tight and you don't know what you can do. Well, I have a couple of "cheap thrills" that I've used or that others have done. Maybe you can find away to add them to your own holiday doings.
1. Ornaments, Tags and Decorations:
A. Get one or two themed coloring books and a pack of construction paper. ($3 total at the dollar store) You have kids so there will be glue and crayons or markers around some where. The only other things you will need is some time and scissors.
Cut out the different things from the book. If it's a page of "find the different candy cane" their size would make for good ornaments or tags. A Santa can be added to the wall. So look at it not as a parent but as a kid and find all the little things.
Glue as many to one sheet of colored paper as possible and then when dry cut them apart leaving a boarder around the picture. Then allow the kids to color.
B. Use last years cards to make tags on this years gifts by simply taking the main picture off the card and trimming it up a bit. You can also use the pictures to make ornaments by simpling putting string through the top.
2. Gifts
Making the gifts gives you a chance to hang out with the kids and can save you money in the long run. And if Aunt George really needed a $50 gift then he should have gotten it for himself.
Remember that cheap is good. Try to shoot for clearance items and things you can make go a bit far. Again your intent is the important part.
A. Pine Cones picked up on a trip out, rolled in peanut butter and then birdseed, then wrapped in plastic wrap makes a great Yule gift. Add a colored bit of yarn for hanging, maybe a sprig of holly, and both the birds and Uncle Chuck get a neat gift.
B. Food. Not cheap cheap, but fun and can go a long way if you do it right. Make sure you do it safely (Kids MUST wash hands) and wrap it up nicely.
C. Bath salts are amazingly easy and most find it a useful gift. Not to mention it really goes a long way. You will need a container to store them for gift giving. It can be as simple as zipper bags but jars with lids work best. If you have a baby those are free. You will need an essential oil. I like eucalyptus for it's upper respiratory help. Sunny Citrus for Yule. Either a mixture or one or the other of rock salt and Epsom salts. A nice food coloring would be the last thing you need.
In a freezer zip lock bag, put in the salts till about 1/2 full. Add the oil a drop at a time until it smells nice. Then add a few drops of coloring. Shake the bag until well blended. Fill your jars, cap, and add a bow and label. You can attach a small scoop spoon if you have the extra cash.
D. The baby food jars and card left overs can become a neat little candle holder.
Take a plain jar and apply glue to a cut out card. Place the card on the outside of the jar and hold it in place with a rubber band until it's good and dry.
Remove the rubber band and coat the card and surrounding area on the jar with glue. While the glue is still wet sprinkle table salt for a glittery look.
Add a bit of ribbon if there is a lip at the top, insert a candle and you have a great table piece or a gift.
3. Togetherness
We all know decorating can be fun but what else do we do as a family to make smiles?
A. String popcorn and cranberries or fruit loops. Use fishing line or thread and a big needle with a dull point. Hang it out in a tree or along the fence and watch the birds. When it's all gone remove the fishing line. If you used thread (which is what I do) then cut up the remaining string and leave it out for the birds to use in their nests.
B. Watch the specials. Read the classics. My 8 year old and I are reading "A Christmas Carol" a bit every day. Cuddle up with popcorn and memories. Talk and laugh. Listen to the carols and teach the kids the history of your faith and holidays.
C. Have the kids help do the "chores" of the holidays. They can decorate, cook and make right along with you. They can make cards as you are filling out yours.
I will add more again soon but this is a good start I think. I would love to hear some of your ideas.
Remember that being with you in a good way, is all your kids really need.
