~Too Soon To Think About~
By Jennifer
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
Valdosta, Georgia
September 11, 2016 9:32am CST
I know for most of us Christmas is too far away to think about now. But for those of us with young children and not a lot of money the thought comes earlier than it probably should.
My children know the real reason we celebrate Christmas but their kids so of course they do want gifts as well.
I get "concerned" every year around this time thinking about it coming. Thinking I wish we could have saved money for it, I wish we prepared earlier, I hope they will be happy either way, I hope this isn't the year they become ungrateful, etc...
Maybe to some this is silly but to me it's real. The world is SO disappointing and I don't want to add to my children's disappointment.
It doesn't help that we have 2 birthdays in November, and 2 in October! It makes Christmas more difficult to afford with birthdays so close.
I think I stress about it more than they actually realize they get less than most kids.
16 people like this
16 responses
@Juliaacv (48246)
• Canada
11 Sep 16
Plan it all out, both the birthday as well as the Christmas and you'll do all right.
Our son tells us that he remembers how we spent our Christmas, not so much what he got when, and that makes me thankful.
His favorite part of Christmas was always our big brunch, and the fun times that we had around the table.
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@juliaacv Yeah its just hard when my husband makes a different amount each week. That makes planning difficult.
They have been happy every year but the thought always sneaks into my head anyway.
I know my mother always worried this way when we were younger but I was happy every year. Hopefully I'm worrying for nothing...like usual. Lol
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48246)
• Canada
11 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies I keep a book of gifts that we bought for everyone for each year. That way I keep track of not over-giving on some years. Our son always got a new outfit and 1 toy.
Today I'm thinking about his and his fiancée's birthdays that are later on this month, and what to get them each. I have ideas for each, but I do need to slip out and go shopping.
After those gifts are bought I focus on the Christmas gifts.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47038)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
11 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies I can understand why you start thinking about it so early. Honestly, we probably should as well, as it is good to plan ahead and make it a little easier financially when the time comes. Hopefully, every thing goes well for you.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@dodo19 I wish we had the money to wait that long to think about it but we dont. =(
We can't set a budget with the work my husband does as he makes something different each week. So we have to start thinking and worrying earlier than most.
Plus we have 4 birthdays coming up within the next couple months.
2 people like this
@yukimori (10142)
• United States
11 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies The ladies over at the We're Debt Free board on Babycebter recommend what they call a 'hills and valleys' budget for irregular income like that. Maybe using that sort of budget will help you a bit.
4 people like this
@vandana7 (98701)
• India
11 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies .. Trust god. That day will not come...hugs.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@vandana7 Yeah, it is tough. The kids have been happy every year but I'm always concerned the day will come when they won't be anymore. Thank you.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@LadyDuck Yeah I'm trying not to stress. That's hard for me at times. I do love the spirit of Christmas too. =)
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457243)
• Switzerland
12 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies For those who understand the real spirit, it's still something magic.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@DianneN Yes it will, the best we can anyway. Holy cow, no thank you! Lol. I couldn't afford that.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@NJChicaa Time goes so fast. The months are flying by so I know it will be here in the blink of an eye.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (115901)
• United States
11 Sep 16
@LovingMyBabies I know. This year has flown by.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@NJChicaa It definitely has which is what worries me.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215135)
• Chile
11 Sep 16
We had to teach our children early the true meaning of Christmas, so that we searched for not so expensive, alternative toys. We prepared making coolies, sings carols and the like. My grandchildren prefer toys. But their mothers don´t have the time to teach them to sing. They work all day.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@marguicha Yeah we have done the same thing. They know we're celebrating Jesus' birth and that it's more important to give than to get.
But they are still kids... I think I stress it more than they even notice that they get far less than most kids they know.
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
11 Sep 16
They know that you are doing the best that you can. I use to feel that way when I was a single parent, but they were happy with anything that they got! Your children know that they are loved and that's more important than anything that money can buy.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@STOUTjodee Yeah their really happy and grateful every year. I just worry anyway.
They do know their very loved. =)
1 person likes this
@xstitcher (30240)
• Petaluma, California
17 Sep 16
We have birthdays in our family close to Christmas too. While I don't have kids, I do have three nephews -- and my brother has said at different times to get things for them that are "small" (one year he said, "The size of my fist", since the boys have so much already.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
23 Sep 16
@xstitcher My kids don't have a whole lot of toys now but what they do have they give to other kids who don't have any before Christmas. It's a nice way to give and to teach them giving is more important than receiving.
@CinnamonGrl (7083)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
11 Sep 16
I love Christmas, so I think about it all year, lol. I maybe didn't have the Christmas concern so much because my mother pulled out all the stops when it came to gift giving. Basically I gave my kids one "big special" gift, two smaller ones and their stocking. I hear now that my son was disappointed when I bought things LIKE transformers that weren't the REAL transformers, hahaha. But he never ever showed it at the time. They were good kids. At least mine were raised before all the electronics were desired, though. Things have gotten WAY pricier. And there must be enormous pressure to have all the latest gadgets. I feel for ya.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
11 Sep 16
@Cinnamongrl My mom was always worried like this every year as well but as a child I remember being so happy with what I got! I never felt cheated or disappointed.
I'm hoping I'm raising mine to be just as happy and grateful.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (40384)
• United States
23 Sep 16
As parents, we all want to give our kids a fantastic Christmas. But a family who loves God and each other will give you memories that money can't buy.
It really is true that kids who get so many gifts really don't enjoy or appreciate them as much. May God bless you and your family.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
23 Sep 16
@1creekgirl Your right the memories we share is the most important gift of all. =)
God Bless you and yours as well.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11038)
• Hyderabad, India
11 Sep 16
Oh...it is really a difficult task to manage such situation.
1 person likes this
@Angel_15 (670)
• Manila, Philippines
12 Sep 16
I think about Christmas this early too. My budget was tight the past Christmases. I can't actually remember the last time I celebrated Christmas without worries. My daughter is still very young to appreciate Christmas, but I still want to make it special for her. I used to not worry about money at all because I always had enough. How I long to be that carefree again.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
23 Sep 16
@Angel_15 I don't remember not worrying either. =(
But when the day comes my kids are always so happy. It's just me that stresses maybe they won't be one year and that would break my heart.
@JudyEv (325255)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Sep 16
Hopefully they will understand as they get older why they may not get as many presents as some. I can understand your concern however. We all want our kids to have great Christmas'.
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
11 Sep 16
It is never too early to start planning especially when you such a large family. All you can is the best you can. When the children are grown they won't remind the toys they got but they will remember the memories of Christmas with their parents and siblings.
