Frugal Friday 518

 Happy Frugal Friday and Happy December!

This week's Frugal Friday looks a little different because this time of year just feels different. It's colorful, magical, merry, and oh-so-busy.

When the kids were little I felt a lot of pressure to do all of the magical things. We saw live reindeer, living Nativities, storytimes with Mrs. Claus, made ornaments, baked cookies, sang songs, crafted, and went to soooo many Christmas events. It was fun, it was wonderful (well, kind of) but mostly I ran myself ragged only to find as they got older they didn't remember any of it.

Then 2020.

Even by December 2020, much of our usual events were modified or not brought back at all that year. We had a very simple, very quiet Christmas season with a 5 year old and a 9 year old and it was glorious! I was calm, I actually enjoyed everything we did, and it was still so magical. 

In 2021, I started a new tradition. I asked the kids each November what THEY wanted to do for the holiday season. We did the things on their list, of course went to church for Advent as well, and that was that. The season was so lovely. The kids were happy doing what they wanted, we spent very little gas/money on activities, and they loved loved loved that Christmas season.

It worked so well that I did it again last year. We had about a dozen activities on the list - some at the library, some around town, and some baking/crafting at home. We worked through the list and it was perfect.

This year, I did the same. After dinner one night the kids, now ages 8 and 12, came up with just seven "Must Do" activities for Christmas. 

Look how simple! Look how "small" they want Christmas to be. We'll use a library pass for the Eiteljorg and so our estimated budget for all of this is under $25 for the WHOLE Christmas Season. I feel comforted knowing that while others may have giant lists, big trips, or dozens of outings - this little list is all that my kids actually want to do.

Have you tried this before? What does your list look like? Maybe it's huge - maybe your kids have 100 things they want to do. That's great! That will work well for you then! 

I would never dare to say that our way is right or better than anyone else's but it is what works for us. I will note that since we have never done Santa, our children have rarely been to Santa themed events or "meet Santa" outings saving us a ton of activities right off the bat. Also, Mark's schedule at work is always very hectic for the holidays and he has worked more than half of the kids' Christmas Eve/Days. They are very used to it just being the three of us and enjoy opening gifts or doing special traditions on December 21 or 28 or whenever. His job has helped our children be thankful for any time they have with people that they love. 

As we have begun the Advent Season and as we look ahead towards the holidays, we pray that each of you Dear Readers have the holiday season that you want. That it is filled with the Light, the Hope, the Love, and the Peace of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.