A different type of Christmas

[dbuck]

If we all hate the commercialism of Christmas (I do), then why to we continue to go along with it? I have racked my brain trying to think of something to do when the family gets together that would be funn, and did not totally revolve around gift-giving. We no longer have small children (nieces & nephews) in the family, they are all teenagers. This really changes the feeling of Christmas. I want Christmas to continue to be funn for them but all we do is exchange gift cards.

Any ideas? We have done the Chinese auction (I think some people refer to it as dirty Santa) route, but that's just not funn unless you have a larger group. I don't want to be a Scrooge, but each year that passes, I feel myself becoming more and more Scroogish.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I say, spend the money on yourself and take a vacation without anyone else from the family. Unless the kids are under 14 years of age, then get them a toy.

 

[Smiling JOe]

How about spending the money that would have been spent on present exchange and put it toward a really nice dinner catered at the house?

 

[Rudyjohn]

If we all hate the commercialism of Christmas (I do), then why to we continue to go along with it? I have racked my brain trying to think of something to do when the family gets together that would be funn, and did not totally revolve around gift-giving. We no longer have small children (nieces & nephews) in the family, they are all teenagers. This really changes the feeling of Christmas. I want Christmas to continue to be funn for them but all we do is exchange gift cards.

Any ideas? We have done the Chinese auction (I think some people refer to it as dirty Santa) route, but that's just not funn unless you have a larger group. I don't want to be a Scrooge, but each year that passes, I feel myself becoming more and more Scroogish.

I wasn't fast enough on the other thread.

www.savethemanatee.org

Even the kids and youth groups at our church donate to this organization. The kids love to help these beautiful animals!!!

 

[InletBchDweller]

This year for gifts I am donating to

http://www.heifer.org/ OR

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

So people are just gettin a card that lets them know they have bought some bees, chickens or made a kid actually be able to smile...

 

[Rudyjohn]

This year for gifts I am donating to

http://www.heifer.org/ OR

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

So people are just gettin a card that lets them know they have bought some bees, chickens or made a kid actually be able to smile...

the Heifer project is soooooooooo awesome and helps so many families!!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I just heard this morning that Sacred Heart is a 'donation' hospital. Donate the money there.

 

[Mermaid]

This year for gifts I am donating to

http://www.heifer.org/ OR

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageServer

So people are just gettin a card that lets them know they have bought some bees, chickens or made a kid actually be able to smile...

My BIL and SIL donated to heifer.org and I thought that was a really neat idea. We still like to get "big ticket" items for our children and each other--hey, even the Three Wise Men brought gifts--but we've really cut back on the useless little stocking stuffer presents that no one remembers five minutes after they've opened it. That money gets earmarked towards the charitable aspect of Christmas.

 

[Mango]

You could make ornaments together to decorate a tree? In the past we have used curtain rods hangers (the round wooden kind) or get something similar from the craft store like Micheals. The we have spread out magazines, and cut out pictures and made personalized ones. Some are very funny. My mother actually still hangs these on her trees.

You could also check with local parrish what is going on too. Ours goes to childrens hospitals dressed up and passes out gifts to the children. You could do this anywhere, even homes for the elderly.
I did it once at a home for mental handicaps. The kids were waiting by the door for us and were soooo excited. We sang carols and handed out candy and small gifts like you can get at the dollar store. Not sure you want to do this on Xmas day, but it helps with the spirit of things.

 

[dbuck]

I should have stated that we do donate to our community Santa Project.
IBD, I absolutely love the SmileTrain organization, this is something I definitely want to check into.

What I really want are ideas to make Christmas Day FUNN for the adults as well as the teens. A new way to celebrate Christmas Day, if you will.