7. Keep expectations on gifts low. We only fill stockings! We have very stretchy hand knit stockings from Grannie, so I can still be quite creative. I keep the stocking stuffers down to just a few things. I rarely put any candy in them (see #6). I don't do extravagance, usually purchasing from clearance shelves all year long to build my stash. I even have filled their stockings with things found at garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets as well as handmade items. The money we save is then given to someone who actually needs it (see #4).
6. Keep candy/sugar to a minimum. Sugar hinders natural immune function, and who wants to pass illness around a large family? Sugar can make them hyper. We all know this stuff. It's not like I give no sugar~ I just try to keep it sane. I also counter it with lots of cinnamon and cloves, which goes in everything from their morning oatmeal, muffins and pies to our daily wassail. I purchase gallons of apple cider and keep it on the stove with 5 cinnamon sticks and 25 whole cloves infusing it. At night it gets turned off and just left on the stove (it's amazing how fast it cools off when there's only an inch left, and the kitchen is only 50 degrees at night) and in the morning, I refill the pot and turn it on. I add 1 small can of pineapple juice and slice 1 orange for each gallon of apple cider. The kids eat the oranges in the evening. The cinnamon and cloves just sit in the pot for tomorrow.
5. Give Presence. Rather than busy myself with shopping, I find things to do with them. I've collected holiday-themed or inspired books and bring them out with the decorations, and then read aloud from them every night. I let them help with baking and cleaning so that we're spending time together. We plan building a gingerbread house, going roller skating, going to look at lights and even caroling.
4. Focus on the future and other families. We pick a charity to sponsor for the next year. A couple years ago it was Advent Conspiracy and Living Water which we had also sponsored in 2005. Last year we focused on orphans with gifts to Amazima and worldwide self-sufficiency with Trade As One. This year we're focused on our own neighborhood with gifts to Operation Breakthrough and involvement with Troost Village.
3. Keep the T.V. off. Oh my kids are allowed nearly unlimited/self-regulated screen time. We just avoid broadcast stuff that is riddled with ads. Ads don't help self-control at all.
2. Plan meals. Just do it. Knowing what you're having for dinner just eliminates so much stress.
1. Pray. I've been starting my days this year by reading a portion of one of the Four Gospels, just getting to know Jesus. And then I pray. This was really, really hard to implement when the kids were all little, I admit! I didn't do it daily by any means; but when I did I promise, things went more smoothly. Among the little things I did to help myself was to print out or write out Scriptures and post them on the mirror, the kitchen cabinet faces, the computer monitor.
Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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