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Our Simple Christmas
- Nov 16, 2009 at 2:12 PM
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- Comments (4) Total Views (99) Everyone can see this journal post.
I had a great journal going... until my computer crashed. Starting over again.
For the second year in a row our Christmas fund is intact (despite my van's best efforts to the contrary). We started saving a little at a time, saving up, so we could provide a decent Christmas for the kids (did the same thing last year and it worked great). Then I come on here and I see so many people saying they are spending $500 (or more) per child for Christmas this year.
Wow. We don't even have that much for our entire family of 5.
But then we aren't like most people. We thrive on the simple life and are teaching our children that same way.
We save a lot of money by not having to upgrade to a new video gaming system or buying games. Nope. We don't even own a gaming system and our kids are just as happy without one. Actually, our house is devoid of a lot of the new tech stuff.
We have a desktop computer that we bought in 2003 where each of the kids has 20 minutes per day to play Webkinz (birthday presents) and they can explore the world on Google Earth. Just in the past couple of weeks they have also been introduced to email by sending emails to daddy (who attends school and works in another state). But even that is fairly limited to about 1 or 2 emails a week, with mommy watching them like a hawk the entire time... not that they need it... they are really good kids. Plus they are only 9, 8 and 3 and this is their first experience with the internet, and the only experience with the internet, that they will have for a number of years.
You can look around our house and the most tech-savvy gadget we own is my husband's MP3 player (just purchased this past September as a birthday gift), a couple of CD players, our 6 year old desktop computer, my 2 year old laptop, a DVD player and a VCR (yes, we still own a VCR and use it on a regular basis). Of course if you move to the kitchen, that has gadgets up the wazoo! You would be greeted by a blender, a bread machine, a coffee pot, an espresso machine (thanks to my hubby for the wonderful birthday present), some hand mixers and even a........ (pause for dramatic effect) Microwave! (My birthday present this past September from my MIL.... we make popcorn and heat up homemade chicken nuggets in that.... beyond that, it doesn't get much use, though the timer feature is great on bread baking day!).
So we save a bundle by living the simple life. But I have been confronted by many who have asked, "if you don't get the techy, video gamey stuff, what are you left with????" Usually with a sound of disbelief that a household can exist without more cell phones (or televisions) than people and a Wii or playstation displayed with prominence in the family or living room.
Gifts of the past and future are as follows:
1) Legos, old-fashioned wooden blocks, and tinker toys.... These are prevalent in our home. They are also wonderful for teaching engineering. Can you build a 4 foot high tower of wooden blocks that can stand for 5 minutes? On carpeting? BUT can it withstand the destructive power of a rampaging baby monster (AKA, my 3 year old daughter)?
HINT: the answer to that last question is, "not without lots and lots of duct tape.")
2) Books. My children have always loved books, even before they could read. My oldest gets more enjoyment out of his World Atlas than any 20 toys and gizmos. Even my daughter will look at the pictures and make up a story. Books open up new worlds and allow the kids to explore their imaginations. Not to mention it is really cool to show off the schoolroom library to others and say "we have more than 500 books on these shelves." Then you take them to the reading room where the walls are also lined with shelves. I think we have more books in our house than are in many libraries. Weekly trips to the library with grandma also encourage the kids' interest in reading and learning.
3) If it can be used outside, it make a great gift. Baseballs and baseball gloves, t-ball sets (maybe my 3 year old would like a whiffle ball set this year? Do they still make those things???), soccer balls and goals, scooters and helmets.... anything that gets the kids out of the house and into the fresh air is a wonderful gift (plus the added benefit of running off a little energy before bedtime!).
4) Homemade items. My kids have recently taken up an interest in learning to cook so they will be getting homemade aprons for Christmas this year. Last year they each got a dream catcher. Ok, I'm a creative and crafty person, if it has me stuck to my sewing machine or crouching over a table... I enjoy it. LOL
5) Crafty kits, even those assembled by myself, are always a huge hit. Paint by numbers or plastic canvas some yarn and a plastic needle always receive loud hoots of joy. My kids see me working on ornaments (to sell at a craft fair) or sewing aprons (same craft fair) and they are instantly enthralled and wanting to learn how. My middle child (8) is begging me to teach him how to crochet and he is making zipper pulls, mouse pads and a few other little knick-knacks for our upcoming craft fair.
Not to say they don't desire more. They got ahold of the *Toys R Us* holiday catalogue and added "Power wheels" to their Christmas lists. They even knew it was beyond Santa's means. But when Christmas morning comes, what will happen when those "Power wheels" do not magically appear beneath the tree? Absolutely nothing. They will be too busy with the new blocks, maybe a small guitar or drum set (can I please ask Santa for a lifetime supply of Tylenol???), reading their new books and fighting over the yarn to even notice that the "Power wheels" are no where to be seen.
Our simple life has enabled us to have a very happy and joyful Christmas holiday without the added commercialism and pain (on the wallet). It has enabled us to enjoy the simple moments and the fun of baking some bread together and serving it with pride at dinner that night. There is nothing like the look of pride on my kids' faces when they can say "I made that" when Memaw or Grandma or Papaw opens their presents on Christmas. It's even better to see the beam of pride on Memaw's, Grandma's or Papaw's face when they see what these wonderful children are learning to do (not to mention delicious when the kids' have cooked).
This paragraph has been ETA: Imagine my surprise when my MIL called and said, "I found a gameboy for the kids!" This from the woman who was just as against video game systems when her children were kids as my husband and I are now. I told her to put it back as it was not allowed in the house (calling my husband later who then started ranting about how much his mother had changed over the years and he couldn't believe she would even THINK about a game system, knowing how we feel about them). She took the news very well and is now looking for a newer USA Atlas (as ours is from 1993).
So our budget for Christmas is small, our desires are few, but we have more fun than simply attacking the store shelves and forking over the cash (yup, that's another rule, we pay with cash only... that helps to keep us within our budget). We get to paroose the aisles of the crafts section, looks through yards upon yards of fabric, stay up many nights into the wee hours of the morning to finish sewing projects hidden for months from the munchkins, cram into the kitchen to cook a fabulous holiday meal together, sit at the table and eat all of that deliciousness and never once get interrupted by the annoy sound effects of a video game or the ring of a cell phone.
Comments:
Barb, I agree that Christmas is too materialistic and commercialized.
When my kids were small, we did the best we could each Christmas, depending on our financial situation that year. Having 4 kids, they definitely weren't spoiled, and other kids got more expensive things, but they honestly appreciated whatever they did get. I think it made them better adults later on.
The one thing I disagree with is the use of the Internet, and computer, esp since you're homeschooling them. If they're not up to speed on computers, I think they're gonna be left behind in this world. If you look at almost any job there is, the more computer savvy you are, the better chance you have at that position. If your worried about them getting into things they shouldn't, you can monitor them in so many different ways. There's a whole HUGE world out there on the Internet that you're not letting them be a part of, a world to explore, to learn, use their imagination, be creative...the list is endless!
I hope we can agree to disagree, I just feel very strong about the computer and the kids...I think it should be part of your home schooling program, getting them ready to go out into the world without you one day.
Hope you enjoy your week, and know this green-eyed lady loves you!
LOL I will not disagree with you Mylovngheart. Computers are essential in today's world, as is computer knowledge. However, at 9, 8 and 3, the computers they would be using today are light years behind what will be available in 7, 8, and 13 years (that is how many years until we will begin teaching each of them computers - when they are 16). When they reach the age of 16 we will teach them on what is available at that time rather than teaching them on these computers (2 of which are already out of date and in techy terms "obsolete"). Computer are also not difficult to learn, so giving 2 years of computer instruction is quite sufficient to prepare them for what they will face out "in the real world."
As far as homeschooling, we use the library as our main resource, just as we did when I was a child. The kids are learning the Dewey Decimal system and finding books on their subjects of interest. They use the library as the resource for book reports and projects and papers as well. The internet, while extensive, is also a font of misinformation and perils that children do not need to be exposed to at such an early age.
There have been studies recently on children in education programs with a high focus on computer and internet technology and those children who are less exposed to computer and internet technology. In general the reading, writing and spelling of those without as much computer learning is much better than those with computer access. Children with less computer access are also shown to have better basic mathematics and science skills as they are not relying on the computer to do the work. Many children today suffer from poor spelling and penmenship because those skills are not encouraged because the computer will do it for them. I believe it is essential to a good, solid, basic education to focus on the skills of the child over the skills of the computer.
Anyway, I agree that computer learning is essential in today's world, but right now, it is not necessary.
Love you! Thanks for the response!
Kudos to you, raising children who will not be materialistic. Like you, we try to keep things simple. For Christmas this year, our grandson (7) is getting a digital camera (5megapixels, so it was inexpensive) (he loves taking pictures and always wants to use the adults )and a savings bond; our granddaughter, babydoll and bond. I've never believed in spending a ton of money on Christmas......thats not what celebrating the birth of our Saviour is for.
I'm so thrilled to see there are still families who instill the 'old fashioned' values in their children.
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I crocheted each of my 4 boys blankets last year for Christmas. This year I am sewing them some PJ's made out of polar fleece that was on sale. :)
Although, I do have to say we broke down and got a Wii about a month ago. Primarily because lil man's allergies and low immune system are keeping him in the home all winter as well as most of Spring (if not most of summer as well). He also has asthma and we've told lots of physical exercise would be very beneficial to him. He can't go on walks or run around the yard unfortunately, but we still want him to be able to learn basics of games like baseball, table tennis, etc....... Not to mentino we do have four extremely active boys. So the Wii for us was something we got after LONG consideration. It is helping greatly with lil man being so sluggish and bored around the house (he is 4).
I have a laptop about 6 months old, but that was for my photography. I needed something faster. That being said, I also have a NIKON DSLR pro camera. But then again, I am a photographer and bring money in with photo shoots.
We've never owned an Xbox, or Nintendo. But we do have a really old Playstation that was given to the boys as a gift several years ago. It hardly ever gets used.
I also have a 52 inch big screen TV, BUT, that was given to us as well. It was completely free. I have a DVD player and TONS of DVD's. Primarily faith based or educational DVD's as well as some music video DVD's designed for kids. I have a 3 disk CD player/stereo that is really nice, but again, that was a gift.
If a person would walk into our home, honestly they would think we are wealthy due to what they see. But we get many gifts from people, including people hubster works with (he works with doctors and they are constantly getting rid of stuff to buy the latest and greatest whatever). Shoot, even my MIL gave us a regular smaller TV that has been in our bedroom.
I think it is crazy to spend $500 per kid for Christmas, that's just crazy. WE are making a lot of gifts this year, but will most likely get some techy gifts from family. Oh yeah and we all own MP3 players, most of them were gifts from family members for my boys and hubster, and hubby bought me one last Christmas to listen to while I exercise or while I am in the store. (Lots of crowds with lots of noise and hearing people complain constantly just irritates the daylights out of me so I usually listen to faith music on my MP3 player) :)
In the end though, I think it's up to each individual family. I put a high value on books and reading. In fact, I am doing a goal of reading the all of the books on the top 100 BBC list. My oldest son wants to join in as well. :) I think education is HUGE.........and although I can't see families spending so much on gifts, it really is their own decision and isn't up to us to criticize. We save money like you and the boys are completely happy with what we are able to provide (on our very limited income).
That being said, I do wish people weren't so materialistic. I think it would make a huge difference in this world.
- proverbsmommy4
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