Christmas List
Release the Stress!
Yes, it’s time for Christmas already. Let’s get those Christmas lists together for the kids and begin delegating them out to family and friends who are eager to help. This collaborative effort not only spreads holiday cheer, but it also lightens the load on parents during what can be a hectic season. One of the things I did when my husband passed away was to have my kids make a Christmas list filled with their hopes and dreams. Their list would consist of the high-priced gifts at the top, reflecting their biggest wishes and desires, with the lower-priced gifts at the bottom, providing a sense of balance and practicality. This approach allows the children to express their desires openly, knowing that we are considering their ideas even if we have to be mindful of our budget.
Once they completed the list, we would gather together as a family to discuss it and then begin to delegate the items on the list. This family meeting became a cherished tradition, where laughter mixed with a little bit of negotiation as everyone expressed their preferences and made suggestions. I know that sounds silly, but when your income goes down to one household, creativity becomes a necessity. It ensures that the holiday remains special while adapting to our new reality, encouraging not just the kids but also ourselves to think outside the box when it comes to gift-giving.
Of course, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends will be buying gifts, so we try to coordinate with them as well, making sure to provide options that will bring joy to the kids and keep the spirit of Christmas alive amidst the challenges we face. By sharing the lists, we create a network of support that makes the season feel less daunting and more connected, reminding us that love and thoughtfulness truly matter more than the monetary value of presents.
- Christmas Delegation List
- High Price Gifts: Me
- For example:
- Gift 1
- Gift 2
- Medium-Price Gifts: grandparents.
- For example:
- Gift 1
- Gift 2
- Low-Price Gifts: Aunts and Uncles.
- For example:
- Gift 1
- Gift 2
- Lowest-Price Gifts: Friends For example:
- Gift 1
- Gift 2
Create a Budget
We always want to get our kids what they ask for, and most times, we go into debt making them happy. However, with only one income, we learned that sticking to a budget is crucial for our family’s financial health. As my kids got older, their gifts became more expensive, and I realized I needed to be more strategic in my choices. After reviewing their long wishlist, I diligently narrowed it down based on the price, ensuring that each child had a budget to work with. This approach not only helped us manage our expenses, but also taught them accountability for what they received. For instance, my son’s birthday is in February, so I strategically moved some items from his Christmas list to his birthday gift list, allowing him to have something special to look forward to later. My daughter, being the youngest and a true girly girl, always has an extensive list filled with dolls, accessories, and craft sets. In her case, we had to significantly narrow her list down to a more manageable selection.
An interesting twist comes with our little ones who still believe in Santa! We encourage them to write letters to Santa and take a picture of their lists before mailing them off; it creates a memorable experience and allows us to set priorities for what should be bought. Following those same steps, we also make a smaller list for Santa’s helpers. One thoughtful tradition my husband established early on was to visit a local dollar store after we had taken care of the big-ticket gifts. He would pick up a few extra items that were inexpensive yet fun to fill the tree and create an illusion of abundance during the holidays. We discovered that kids often don’t play with those high-priced gifts for long—many of the simple toys and games ended up capturing their attention much more effectively. This whole process encapsulated the spirit of giving, ensuring our children felt loved without compromising our financial stability.
4 min read
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