A different type of Christmas

Beach Fanatic

Nov 8, '06 · 11:14 AM1,872

If we all hate the commercialism of Christmas (I do), then why to we continue to go along with it? I have racked my brain trying to think of something to do when the family gets together that would be funn, and did not totally revolve around gift-giving. We no longer have small children (nieces & nephews) in the family, they are all teenagers. This really changes the feeling of Christmas.

I want Christmas to continue to be funn for them but all we do is exchange gift cards.

Any ideas? We have done the Chinese auction (I think some people refer to it as dirty Santa) route, but that's just not funn unless you have a larger group. I don't want to be a Scrooge, but each year that passes, I feel myself becoming more and more Scroogish.

Replies

SoWal Expert

Nov 8, '06 · 11:19 AM#2

I say, spend the money on yourself and take a vacation without anyone else from the family. Unless the kids are under 14 years of age, then get them a toy.

SoWal Expert

Nov 8, '06 · 11:21 AM#3

How about spending the money that would have been spent on present exchange and put it toward a really nice dinner catered at the house?

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 11:21 AM#4

If we all hate the commercialism of Christmas (I do), then why to we continue to go along with it? I have racked my brain trying to think of something to do when the family gets together that would be funn, and did not totally revolve around gift-giving. We no longer have small children (nieces & nephews) in the family, they are all teenagers. This really changes the feeling of Christmas. I want Christmas to continue to be funn for them but all we do is exchange gift cards.

Any ideas? We have done the Chinese auction (I think some people refer to it as dirty Santa) route, but that's just not funn unless you have a larger group. I don't want to be a Scrooge, but each year that passes, I feel myself becoming more and more Scroogish.

I wasn't fast enough on the other thread.

www.savethemanatee.org

Even the kids and youth groups at our church donate to this organization. The kids love to help these beautiful animals!!! :wub:

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 11:24 AM#5

This year for gifts I am donating to

http://www.heifer.org/ OR

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

So people are just gettin a card that lets them know they have bought some bees, chickens or made a kid actually be able to smile...

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 11:26 AM#6

This year for gifts I am donating to

http://www.heifer.org/ OR

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

So people are just gettin a card that lets them know they have bought some bees, chickens or made a kid actually be able to smile...

the Heifer project is soooooooooo awesome and helps so many families!!

SoWal Expert

Nov 8, '06 · 11:27 AM#7

I just heard this morning that Sacred Heart is a 'donation' hospital. Donate the money there.

picky

Nov 8, '06 · 11:28 AM#8

This year for gifts I am donating to

http://www.heifer.org/ OR

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

So people are just gettin a card that lets them know they have bought some bees, chickens or made a kid actually be able to smile...

My BIL and SIL donated to heifer.org and I thought that was a really neat idea. We still like to get "big ticket" items for our children and each other--hey, even the Three Wise Men brought gifts--but we've really cut back on the useless little stocking stuffer presents that no one remembers five minutes after they've opened it. That money gets earmarked towards the charitable aspect of Christmas.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 11:42 AM#9

You could make ornaments together to decorate a tree? In the past we have used curtain rods hangers (the round wooden kind) or get something similar from the craft store like Micheals. The we have spread out magazines, and cut out pictures and made personalized ones. Some are very funny. My mother actually still hangs these on her trees.

You could also check with local parrish what is going on too. Ours goes to childrens hospitals dressed up and passes out gifts to the children. You could do this anywhere, even homes for the elderly.
I did it once at a home for mental handicaps. The kids were waiting by the door for us and were soooo excited. We sang carols and handed out candy and small gifts like you can get at the dollar store. Not sure you want to do this on Xmas day, but it helps with the spirit of things.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Nov 8, '06 · 11:46 AM#10

I should have stated that we do donate to our community Santa Project.
IBD, I absolutely love the SmileTrain organization, this is something I definitely want to check into.

What I really want are ideas to make Christmas Day FUNN for the adults as well as the teens. A new way to celebrate Christmas Day, if you will.

picky

Nov 8, '06 · 11:50 AM#11

I should have stated that we do donate to our community Santa Project.
IBD, I absolutely love the SmileTrain organization, this is something I definitely want to check into.

What I really want are ideas to make Christmas Day FUNN for the adults as well as the teens. A new way to celebrate Christmas Day, if you will.

Dbuck, you know the old say about Food Is Love. How about a wonderful Christmas dinner (catered or homemade, whatever lights your fire) followed by some quality time? Like maybe games or watching favorite Xmas movies together, something that would get everyone involved. My neighbors play Charades after dinner (and lots of drinks!).

Beach Fanatic

Nov 8, '06 · 12:46 PM#12

Hi, SoWal friends,

One of our best holidays ever was the year we adopted a family in need, a single mother with three children who lost her job just before Thankgiving. We purchased toys, a clothing outfit, and a warm winter coat for each of the children; also, a nice work outfit and some luxury comfort items for Mom. Then we put together all the groceries for a turkey & trimmings holiday dinner (one easy to prepare), right down to the holiday pies. Involved my husband's sons in all of it and twas a real eye-opener for them to see how fortunate they are. We still had our own Christmas, just a little more modest and richer for our experience. :wub:

Donna

Beach Fanatic

Nov 8, '06 · 1:07 PM#13

For stay at home extended family funn, we used to play a family game of pictionary, may sound a bit boring, but some of the artistic talent (or lack of) is talked about years later. No gifts, just lots of laughs!!

Meow

Nov 8, '06 · 1:10 PM#14

For stay at home extended family funn, we used to play a family game of pictionary, may sound a bit boring, but some of the artistic talent (or lack of) is talked about years later. No gifts, just lots of laughs!!

Laughter IS the best gift of all!!! :clap_1:

SoWal Expert

Nov 8, '06 · 1:19 PM#15

For stay at home extended family funn, we used to play a family game of pictionary, may sound a bit boring, but some of the artistic talent (or lack of) is talked about years later. No gifts, just lots of laughs!!

I forgot about Pictionary! I love that game- but it has been a loooong time since I played.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 1:19 PM#16

We always adopt a couple of children in need. :wub:

We go through our local Department of Human Resources, you can call your county they have a list of children with their wish list, clothing sizes and other information. This has always been a great program for us.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 1:21 PM#17

I wasn't fast enough on the other thread.

www.savethemanatee.org

Even the kids and youth groups at our church donate to this organization. The kids love to help these beautiful animals!!!

I just adopted Lilly:clap_1: When it ask where I found the site, I put Sowal.com. It is a grayt site, you can even pick out the manatee you wish to adopt.

SoWal Expert

Nov 8, '06 · 1:23 PM#18

I forgot about Pictionary! I love that game- but it has been a loooong time since I played.

On Christmas Eve, we always play Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit. The more alcohol that's consumed, the more "entertaining" it gets.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 1:35 PM#19

I just adopted Lilly:clap_1: When it ask where I found the site, I put Sowal.com. It is a grayt site, you can even pick out the manatee you wish to adopt.

Oh that is so wonderful!! It's such an easy site to navigate too, plus all their gifts and items are reasonable. We buy calendars, note cards, etc. Younger children really love those gentle sea cows. :wub:

I have convinced many people in Chicagoland to donate and learn more about manatees.

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 1:37 PM#20

Oh that is so wonderful!! It's such an easy site to navigate too, plus all their gifts and items are reasonable. We buy calendars, note cards, etc. Younger children really love those gentle sea cows. I have convinced many people in Chicagoland to donate and learn more about manatees.

Is was very easy to navigate and I know what lot's of people are getting for Christmas this year! Manatees :wub:

Sorry Dbuck, we try to stay on course...... :idontno:

SoWal Insider

Nov 8, '06 · 1:39 PM#21

Is was very easy to navigate and I know what lot's of people are getting for Christmas this year! Manatees

Sorry Dbuck, we try to stay on course......

but it's the "cause" in this case that counts too!

bean

Nov 8, '06 · 2:01 PM#22

I just adopted Lilly:clap_1: When it ask where I found the site, I put Sowal.com. It is a grayt site, you can even pick out the manatee you wish to adopt.

I love this...I know a couple of neices and nephews who might be getting manatees for christmas!!! How many kids can say that?!!