A "Grinchy" Christmas

What is it with the Holiday's that makes everyone so crazy? Crazy Black Friday shoppers, outrageous sales events, advertisements everywhere, Elf-on-the-shelf, and most disgusting of all.... all the ANGRY people you come into contact with. So what do we do to bring it back down to what it actually is...CHRISTmas?
Christmas has always been my favorite Holiday. I love singing Christmas carols, going to Church, being with family, and eating all the yummy, delicious food. But now that I'm an adult, I still love the Holiday, but it's just not the same.
Somehow it went from enjoying time with family, eating good food, and opening presents to whiny kids who want everything in the toy store (and then play with them for only a month), grumpy and mean relatives (who just can't say enough about how much weight you've gained or the awful job/spouse/kids you have), the shopping (let's not even go there), and cooking/baking for hours on end (now that I'm an adult I have to also clean up all the "messes" I make when I'm done).

Now I'm not trying to be a Scrooge but Christmas has gotten so out of control that I find myself lately thinking The Grinch was right when he said: "I must stop this whole thing from coming.....but how?" How is the right word. How do we stop the madness?
How do I not get my kids presents and what the joy on their cute little faces as they open it and see  toy they've been wanting? (It's so exciting watching them shine with excitement).
How do I come up with excuses as to why I wont be going to the family get together for Christmas so I don't have to face my nasty family members?
How do I not make those wonderful treats we have to wait a whole year to inhale?
And finally, how do I tell all my friends and family that were are no longer participating in Christmas and get them to understand?

That's the scariest part, right?
I'm not fully ready for that last part yet (but I am getting close). Now that I'm an adult Christmas to me just means cranky people, bratty kids, and Credit Card debt.

So, again, how do we ween ourselves off of all the things we are "expected" to do around Christmas. My solution is to simply make old traditions seem like new traditions. Here's how you can bring back the joy of Christmas:

• Take the kids to Church on Sunday's more often so that they learn how to behave while there. (<-----something we really need to work on at my house).
• Start a Christmas caroling group. (Your kids will enjoy it too).
• Instead of doing all the "work" yourself making those yummy treats, have the whole family help. My kids love to help me make cookies and put sprinkles on everything. It keeps them busy (keeps Mommy sane) and then you have help with the dishes afterwards making clean-up time faster. 
  
• Cut back on the gifts you give and makes them more meaningful. For example, we use the number 6 rule: they get 2 presents they want, 2 presents of things they need, and 2 presents that will stimulate their mind or keep them active. We also put a dollar amount limit to each of these gifts too.Instead of giving gifts that no-one needs or they already have 3 of stuffed ion a closet somewhere, give them a gift card to their favorite grocery store. Everyone needs to eat! (And in most cases people have spent more money than they should have and could use the extra cash for some grub, that's more meaningful than another kitchen gadget or ugly sweater).
• When getting together with grumpy relatives choose to have a positive attitude before you leave the house and DON'T LET THEM GET TO YOU! I know, I know easier said than done. However, I read a quote on the wall of my Chiropractors wall that said: The greatest thing you can do for others is to reach down and lift them up. 
•  When decorating your house keep it simple. When I was a kid I loved making popcorn garland and loop chains to hang up around the house. Now I use old wrapping paper and put it on one wall and decorate it with all the Christmas cards I get, put out only my favorite decorations and deck the tree with ornaments my kids and I spent hours making (those are the best ones). If you want to see lots of Christmas lights make some hot chocolate to-go, pack all the kids in the car, blast the Christmas music (and sing along of course) and go drive around. There are plenty of other people in your neighborhood who have lights up and some even elaborate light displays.
  
• One great thing about the Holiday's is that it is also about Charity. Teach your kids the meaning of how to give and they may be less whiny and more caring toward others. Go help out at a soup kitchen for a couple of hours, give some of those baked goods you and the kids made to a charity bake sale, shovel your neighbors driveway, or donate some food to your local food pantry. The kids just like to hang out with their parents so anything you do with them they will enjoy (unless you have teenagers but they should still come with you no matter how much griping you get).
• Now onto the hardest part of all.....the shopping. I love a good Black Friday deal but I'm not going to kill anyone just to make sure I get it. When I go to the store I go for a few specific items and if I find them -- great, if not -- oh well on to Plan B. I try to not shop on Black Friday because of the madness but there are sometimes when I simply can't pass up on a deal. Otherwise I try to stick to shopping on other days that are less wild. As for Plan B, let me let you in on a little secret about Black Friday....they really are NOT the best deals of the season. The big box retailers only want you to think that, they sneak in the same deals or better ones here and there after Black Friday. You just have to keep an eye out. And instead of using your credit cards for making these purchases start a Holiday savings account or put $20 dollars aside each week and by the time Christmas comes around you'll have over $1000 (and you don't have to spend it all either).

 Scary as it may sound to cut back at Christmas I'm sure no-one is going to stone you for spending more quality time with your family and friends. I'm sure that if you explain what you are doing they will be more eager to join in rather than calling you a tight-wad. Once they see how much fun your having and the LASTING joy on your kids faces they will forget all about what present they did or didn't get this year. Bring Christmas traditions back to what they were, about Christ our Savior who was born unto us and about family! Make it count, don't make it add up!
Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS readers!