Rolo, they did something like that at my daughter's christian preschool, the classes donated money and it was used to buy items out the world vision catalogue. Like fruit trees, chickens, school supplies etc.   

On the xmas card note...we had a Brazilian homestay student over xmas and he was surprised at the cards because there they only give cards to the immediate family.   I use them to stay in touch with people that we don't see often and send the kids picture.

 Not sure about Christmas this year yet.  I"ll be making up chokecherry syrup and a variety of homemade soaps- I personally need a new batch of creamy goat's milk soap as I"m spoiled and only like to make my own.  I might do a soapmaking party in the area if I find enough interested parties and someone else's kitchen. That way I can buy a large bag of lye instead of the small cans at the store for $3-4, it dropped last time to closer to 50 cents a lb.  Last time we each make 6 batches- I rendered all the tallow.  Each of us bought one big bottle of smelly stuff- peppermint, raspberry, apricot freesia, plumeria freesia and lilac,and then I bought a variety of smaller bottles since with a big order shipping was free. 

 I've got stuff tucked away for the kids but if we end up building a house, then I know they'll need some stuff for their bedrooms.  Once they head back to school I can pull out craft and sewing projects. I think my littlest needs her own set of quiet dolls ( you can see samples at www.arkessentials.com)   I"d like to make some quilts but  this house is small and they wouldn't be surprised. 

2 years ago we just gave everybody John's books.  I guess I need to get busy and just get my book done before Christmas. Time to go breakfast. have a great day.

joan of ark
 

 grambri2 ~  We started a round robin with all our friends from around the world.  It is wonderful as we get a letter about every 5 weeks that is pages long and keeps us up on everyones "news".   When it comes to me I keep the "last letter" and make copies and enter into seperate notebooks.  Every 5 years we send one of the notebooks to each person on the list as a Christmas gift.  It's really alot of fun!

 rolo ~ For the most part we do not "sign" our cards when we send them, that way they can be used over and over again.  We just insert a very nice hand written note.  And for those that are signed that we receive I remove the back part of the card and cut blank gift tags, the front I use for a post card or for framed pitcures, or cut into gift tags.  The envelopes we turn inside out and use again. 

Now if I could just find a way to save on postage....twice!  lol 

Just want to mention that, while it's illegal to use unfranked envelopes' stamps (that have been mailed but aren't marked with the date cancellation stamp), it's fine to remove stamps from letters that you had intended to send out.  I dothis with my self-addressed stamped envelopes every time there is a postage increase.  I find those high-value stamps to be more useful in sending out large envelopes.  Anyhow, how to get the stamps off most easily is to put them in a dishpan full of plain water.  Within about a half-hour, the stamps will have floated to the top.  They need to be set on wax paper, else they get glued to each other.  You can either use the wax envelopes that the USPS gives out when you buy stamps, or cereal box lining.

Well, I did get a good start for extended family. I have a bunch of fingertip towels, also some snowflake candle holders and a few other odds and ends. These are for gift baskets. I also started making scarves for family members with luxurious yarns I got on the cheap during after christmas sales and a few other good sales. That's all I have so far.

Rolo- how does your family react to no presents?  I live in a suburb, we celebrate Christmas- I try my best to get exchanges, etc, but there is definitely the expectation that there will be presents, and I love to get them!  I remember loving Christmas, I usually have 50 guests for Christmas potluck- this past year had a baby due, she was born the 29th, so no party.  Next year, a party!

I really enjoy Christmas, and think this is a time, as is a birthday, to enjoy some material goods, a trip to the mall, getting the toys and books and music that enrich our lives. Also the special food, and events.  Love going to Nutcracker with a daughter, singing the Messiah, going to the kids' services, making nut goodie bars and toffee, putting out stockings on the mantle, a whole row- filling stockings at one in the morning with candy, books, socks, toothbrushes, carmex, playing cards, silly putty.  Love buying the circled thing on a wish list- make a list, circle three.  Love the cozy week after Christmas, staying home, making pancakes, playing with the toys, reading the books, watching the movie.

Anyone with me on spending money to make it happen in a certain way?  One reason I'm frugal in other areas is to get the kids not just food and shelter, but Gone Away Lake, Understood Betsy, the game of Life, Scrabble, a dictionary for college, a box of dorm snacks, new shoes, new pajamas, etc.  This year on my list- the movie Elf, a CD of the Messiah, Boggle.

Am I a super materialist or what?  I am a Taurus, supposedly a lover of luxury, in some ways it is true!  Maybe I'm missing that Christmas should only be about charity, or maybe I'm fine- I'd like to think I'm fine!  Maybe as Pat says, what is it- to each your own solutions?  I think I'm good with my $500 budget.  Luckily in MN we can get a great tree for $25!
 

Tracy 

 I understand fully. Christmas has always been an important time in my family. The older people(over age 14) draw names. We set a limit on spending. The little kids get gifts but not really expensive. The grandkids give their school pictures or special Christmas pictures. We go to church for Christmas EVe. Then to my house for big Christmas dinner. I do homemade jelly and special breads in baskets for friends, and some  older single people. We also do angel tree, a program to provide presents for kids with parents in prison. Each of the younger kids pick a name and go shopping. Dont do a lot of cards. We do a letter for all church people and hand it out there. Try to make the focus on the real reason forthe season not ust the gifts. I love it! We do pay cash so if the finances or low then we spend less.

latenightleader:

I think I'm good with my $500 budget. 

You're far from a super materialist with that budget. I haven't looked up the statistics for awhile, but at one time, the average family spent over a thousand dollars on immediate family.

I confess that I spend more money at Christmas than is necessary, but it's my favorite time of year. I start early and end late and I cram as much into it as I can. Not only concerts (free and otherwise) but gifts, decorations and food take a lot of money. I cut corners where I can and still be in the holiday spirit, but if things make me feel scroogish, I bypass them for something else.

All of that said, there are a lot of ways one can celebrate Christmas without spending a lot. We went caroling one year and it was a real blast. We pulled a flatbed trailer behind a pickup and sang all over town, then went home to hot chocolate. Then someone in the family usually has a "Christmas party" which is nothing more than a bunch of people getting together to eat and talk.

We have a tree lighting ceremony put on by the city and the local choir sings an hour's worth of Christmas carols. Perfect in the frosty evening air! There's a Christmas tree display from around the world at the Civic Center. Estes Park, within driving distance, has a wonderful evening Christmas parade where the whole town turns out, it seems. Later, there's a run on hot chocolate at all the fast food places, but it's fun to stand in line and compare notes with strangers and friends.

I don't know whether I'm agreeing with you or not!