I Really "Had Myself a Merry LITTLE Christmas"!  

Thats great that you really see the positive side of things. Most people dont realize how lucky they are when they have a family around for the holidays.

Yes, you can have a Merry Little Christmas. We did. Money was a little tight so we have a very small gift exchange but everyone liked what they got.In fact I got two I owe you this gift and it is on the way and I was just as happy with them than I would have been with the actual things. I just mentioned that a gift card to AMC theaters would be a good gift and my sister wrapped popcorn and M&M's and a card that said the AMC card is coming soon.

One year we didn't exchange gifts at all but it was a great Christmas.It fell on a Saturday night and I got to see one of my favorite films, Camelot. And on Christmas afternoon, the NFL played some games. It was great.

Awwww Annie,,,,I couldn't have stated it better.
Jeff and I are usually the ones that help out our extended family and immediate family too.
We too have had our hard times but so far have not had to borrow though we have had several of or people offer to help out....It was so touching that people care that much....No loan just let them help us out.
Jeff did his usual fantastic job for our christmas diner and we were able to get all the grandchildren something.
It is amazing how little you really need to spend for a great christmas all the way around. Susan

I am glad you still had a nice Christmas. I did not have a whole lot of money to spend on my kids this year, but I have a great family who always gives the kids great presents. It was nice that all of my brothers were here this year. We are usually missing one of them since they rotate years. It was a pretty nice Christmas.

I am familiar with that road you are going down. You and I are both very lucky to have our kids, our family and friends. When you think about it, there are many who are disabled and don't have any of that at all, to boot.

You're right, it's hard to be the one in need when you're used to being the one to help your kids and such. You'll make it, we all do. xoxo Big hugs and a merry After-Christmas!

Thank you for such an uplifting post Annie. It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and your family really made the difference to that fact. Yes, it is true for most of us, family means everything.
That is the only wish I had for Christmas was to be with my son. Sadly, it did not happen, as it has been a rather tough year for us.
It is okay though, I got to speak with him on the phone for quite a while.
There will be other Christmases as well and I know what you mean about pulling together. It is a really warm feeling and I am so happy that you got everything you wanted this year...you can't duplicate that feeling with material possessions.
And a very happy new year also to you and yours Annie.
Love Your Friend RozAnn TheHairDresser

I'm so glad things worked out for you! It sounds like you have a wonderful family to have all pulled together like that.

I know I was feeling a little bad because I didn't have the spending money I was expecting to have and thought my older kids were again going to get shorted. I ended up with $60 on Christmas Eve for presents for 3 kids and gas to get back home. I went to a dollar store...and I mean a true "everything for a dollar or less" not just a Family Dollar that has some good deals...and thought I'd just do the best I could. It turned out to be a really nice store and my oldest son was thrilled to receive two little magic kits. He played with them all evening and said it was one of his best toys...pretty good considering he got a Playstation 2, an MP3, and a cool watch from his dad.

Christmas and happiness are states of mind. Neither cost money. Love is the major currency of both. You are indeed very wealthy Annie! I am so glad you had such a nice Christmas. I had to work and had the flu. I had some lovely gifts, but the love with which they were given is what matters most. Have a splendid New Year!