Simple Christmas

I wanted to share some ways we keep Christmas simple around here.

Stockings

This year our children will each get a t-shirt from the Disney Store, one fun item, and snacks for our Christmas Eve movie night.

Presents

Each child receives one present from us (the parents) ranging from $20-30.

Goodies

We are going to make puppy chow, and birthday cake for Jesus. That's it. No cookies, fudge, toffee, divinity, dipped pretzels, or pies. Too much sugar weakens your immune system and I'm a firm believer that the increased intake of sugar during the holidays is a big contributor to why people get sick during their Christmas breaks.

Since Christmas of 2005, we have allowed the children to open their stockings on Christmas Eve. I make hot chocolate, and a few snacks, and we read about Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem. Sometimes we even sing some songs together as a family during this time.  This year we are still going to do all these things, but we are going to have a Christmas Eve slumber party! Our children love having slumber parties. This will include all five of us sleeping together in the living room, and watching the Charlie Brown Christmas movie (since we own it on DVD and we missed it when it was on television this year). We'll wake up Christmas morning and open our presents. Our children have received packages from friends and family, and they will open those gifts from under the tree also. 

This is our first Christmas living approximately 1,000 miles from all family. We won't be spending Christmas with any of our extended family this year. Instead of letting sadness consume us, we are choosing to make the best of our time together as a family of five, building traditions, and making memories together.