Sherry Frewerd is an affiliate marketer who publishes websites and blogs on various topics. Visit her ‘Family Christmas Ideas’ website familychristmasideas.homestead.com where you will find ideas for creating new Christmas Traditions for your family.
The Christmas holiday is fast approaching and along with it the overspending and over abundance of stuff, stuff and more stuff. What usually comes after the ‘stuff’ has been devoured destroyed or stashed away? For most families it’s the stress of how to pay the credit card bills. Here’s an idea, keep the cards in your wallet this year and start new a new Christmas tradition with your family. If Christmas fun to you and your family means frequent trips to the mall, then you may find the following tips either ridiculous or refreshing. There are ways to bring back the real meaning of Christmas without spending a fortune.
• Do you hear what I hear? One of the best parts of the Christmas holiday is the abundance of special music and concert performances. Most churches put on free seasonal plays or Christmas musicals. Museums and dance companies often times offer free performances as well. Call your local chamber of commerce to see what is being offered in your town this Christmas.
• You light up my life; and my holiday season. People love decorating their homes with holiday light displays. Get your family together and take an invigorating walk around your community or neighborhood. Some cities and even small towns have community light displays in parks where families can pile in the car and drive through to see the lights.
• It really does feel better to give. Most communities have a ‘giving tree’ where families can pick a child in need to buy a toy or gift for. There are shelters or church organizations that would truly appreciate any volunteer time you and your family may have to offer. Let your children pick some of their old toys that are still in good condition and wrap them to donate to a shelter. Look for opportunities to give to others this Christmas. Visit senior citizens in nursing homes and bring them homemade holiday cards. They love seeing young children and will feel joy at someone thinking of them.
• Start a new Family Christmas Tradition. Your kids are only small for a short time, and time does indeed go by fast, so don’t miss another year without experiencing special times with your family. Involve your extended family as well. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles love to see your kids at Christmas, so invite them to join in your new Christmas activities. Plan a family cookie baking day and let everyone help with the holiday baking. Make festive gingerbread houses. Build little bird feeders and hang them outside for the birds to enjoy. Visit the neighbors and bring them some of the cookies you made as a family. Whatever you select to do as a family, make it special and don’t forget to take lots of pictures for scrap booking. This too is another activity that can bring the family together in a very memorable way.
Starting family Christmas traditions need not cost a fortune or even a cent. Bring your family back to the true meaning of the holiday and avoid causing future financial stress by planning meaningful holiday traditions this year.
