I know, I know, I am suppose to be getting ready for the holidays.  I just don't have an interest this year in decorating, or Christmas cards, or a tree, or shopping.  We are planning a simple holiday.  I am sewing (or oldest daugther is) a variety of things for the children - special blankets, pajamas, and dress up clothes.  I have purchased 1 special gift for almost each of the children.  I have two more to go.  I have purchased a couple of group gifts that they will enjoy or that we needed. 

For Christmas my mother and her husband will be coming from Hawaii.  My sister who lives an hour away will join us with her family.  We will do our traditional formal Christmas Eve dinner followed by Christmas morning brunch.  I enjoy the cooking and planning that goes in to these special meals.  We will be focusing on the true meaning of the holiday and celebrating the birth of Christ our savior and redeemer.  However, I am not joyfully anticipating the other activities.

It seems like I have so many real projects to feel my time that I don't care to fill my time with activities that don't add value to our home and family.  I am having difficulty seeing how changing out decorations for ones with a holiday flavor makes any sense.  I love Christmas cards, but just didn't start early enough this year because of all the other things going on.  I'll catch up next year with everyone.  I'll probably send an email blast update on our family.

Projects that I am interested in include, a farm theme quilted wall hanging that I am working on with daughters, a quilt for my bed that I am almost done piecing together, clothes we are sewing, dish towels we need to sew, and rag rugs.  I posted in my money saving tips below that we are going to make some rag rugs.  We have identified some pink dresses that we need to recycle that we are going to use as our first attempt at a rag rug.  So far it is coming along nicely.

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Posted by chimicole

I am doing more of the "craft" thing too. I just cannot justify going out and spending tons of money on things that children do not need or junk that will be broken in an hour....
I want to give practical, useful gifts... with one "fun" gift for each.
What I really want is for the children to accept the true meaning, and carry THAT with them all year though.

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Posted by Anonymous

Bummer that you can't enjoy your children and the holiday. Sounds like if it's for you then whats the point?

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Posted by Cathy

Do you have a link or pattern for someone to learn how to make rag rugs? I am interested but not too crafty. I love your blog and your ideas motivate me. I don't have a blog but will read yours if you have time to answer. We are also an adoptive family, blessings, Cathy

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Posted by Mama

I felt the same way this year. It is the day after Christmas and for the last 2 weeks someone or many someones have been sick. I was a little sick then I fell on the ice on wed night and twisted my knee and am having trouble using that. We usually buy a real tree ; go cut it down our selves. Money was so tight this year that I barely considiered it and my ds was disappointed. So wed night we brought home a artfc. tree my mom had. But dh was very sick, my knee was really hurting and here it is the day after and we haven't done anything with it. May be we will this weekend and leave it up for New years. I don't want to disappoint my children but I feel as you do, it doesn't progress any projects on the homestead so why take the energy and time to do it. Maybe that is an aweful attitude , in previous years I would have been appaled at the idea of that.
I hope your Christmas was great! As long as we remember what Christmas is really about , it will be good.
Mama

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Posted by Dawn

My family does not celebrate the holidays which gets us many questions. I choose to serve God always and not get caught up in the commerciality of it all. It also saves LOTS of money. The bible does say to observe His death and resurection it states nothing about His birth being celebrated. I also have the nudge to get many things done in our home for the Lord and to serve my family.
Blessings, Dawn

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