I've never been one to go overboard for the holidays. Wasn't raised that way. I had a classmate that would allways bring a list of all her Christmas presents to church on Christmas morning, I would get one present and a stocking. I wouldn't say I was jealous b/c I usually really like what I got, but I found it fascinating that a person would get so much. Now all these years later, her mother got sick and died and they didn't have insurance (between companies, sorry no coverage) and they lost their farm. I talked to my dad about that and we just commented on how I thought they were so rich when I was a kid and now they lost their farm.
I've found too, that my kids don't appreciate most of the "stuff" anyway.
On a side note, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I feel so blessed to have what I do.[/quote]
I could go for a simpler Christmas and I think my kids could, too. I know that family is important but we always end up with people over for a full week and I am just fragged by the time it is over. I need a holiday to get over the holidays. Steve loves it, though, so what the heck. Having one's MIL for four or five days will really drain the life outa you. I love her, but our family tradition was to come over, stay for several hours, maybe overnight, and then get the heck out of there. This is new to me. I like my privacy. I am kind of a hermit.[/quote]
Yes company is nice, but I know what you mean they always expect so much, want to go here, there and everywhere, and when a budget is already tight, it can get tricky coming up with free places to go to, and still feel like we are taking the time to entertain them. Mostly my brother comes to visit, which is easy, he doesn't expect much, and is easy going enough where he can entertain himself when we do chores.
I do like the big family gatherings though, all the holiday baking, and if I had more family that would be willing to make the drive, I would find a way to make it all work, and enjoy it.
Gail[/quote]
My step daughter always wants to go to bars, movies, shopping. I don't go to bars when she isn't here, I really don't see a need to go when she is. Besides, I have a 14 year old here, and that's not the bar hopping age. Honestly. When you go to see family, family is what you should see. I just stay home. It gives me a rest.