Christmas Planning

It is September, fall, time of harvest and preparing for winter. I am also preparing for Christmas. This year is planned to be different from other years. Since my husband and I have been married, we have celebrated Christmas Day as only a couple. He usually had to work, our children and their families live in other states away. This year, the plans are for my son, his wife and the three little grandchildren to spend Christmas Day with us, unless a blizzard is happening between their home and ours.

Decades back, when my children were young, I started planning Christmas in January. We did not have much money, so I would watch my children and see what they were really longing to have, and buy for a Christmas present or Birthday present when I had the money to do so. Stretching out the Christmas present purchasing to all year long, allowed me to give my children several gifts, instead of just one gift.

I took the same idea to when purchasing food for Christmas dinner. I would buy a bag of chocolate chips or nuts or extra cans of vegetables during my regular grocery shopping a few months before. Spreading out the cost of Christmas dinner over several months was easier on my budget than purchasing the one week of Christmas.

My daughter-in-law and I have discussed the menu, and it is set. Main course is salmon. The salmon was on sale, I was hungry for salmon, so I purchased some. I always buy turkeys and ham when they are on sale during that time of year. I will probably prepare a turkey or ham for Christmas dinner to join the salmon, for those who may not want to eat salmon. The rest of the menu will be purchased, little by little at each grocery shopping day.

A new addition this year is going to be the “Mystery Box”. Since my daughter-in-law and I like to do crafty things. Children love to do crafty things. This “Mystery Box” will be supplied each day with a different Christmas type craft for the family to craft together. One day will be clothes pin snowflakes. I will glue the clothes pins into various snowflake shapes and paint them white before they arrive. Everyone will decorate them with glitter, paints, and other items. The Mystery Box will have an activity of stringing popcorn one day, and another day of making Christmas chains from red, green and white construction paper. I have supplies to make reindeer and decorate foam Christmas trees. All items crafted will be used as part of the decorations in the house. At the conclusion of their visit, they can take the decorations they have made home if they wish.

On Christmas Eve, we will do the age old family tradition of decorating sugar cookies with colored frosting and candy decorations for Santa. The boys will help me make oatmeal cookies for the reindeer. When it is time for bed, we will gather for the poem, “The Night Before Christmas”, and the Christmas Story.

Seems like a lot to prepare for and do. But by purchasing needed cooking and crafting supplies, a little at a time, I will be able to stay within my budget and enjoy a festive time of the year with children and grandchildren.

amtolle