Dec 17 2008
Christmas in a Depression (Recession)
Christmas in a depression is anything but a depressed Christmas. I still remember a phrase I heard someplace, “Find the emerald in the pile of coal.” It means to find the joy and goodness in the muck. I believe we can all find the emerald this Christmas.
1, Merry Christmas. I was just reading a post from my friend, Jenn (Life and Living), about the lack of any Christmas plays or shows at the schools. Many of them just don’t even mention the work Christmas anymore as though it’s become a non-word. It is sad, but personally, we can celebrate it as much as we want. Start off saying Merry Christmas to everyone you come in contact with. It is amazing how good it fees and how much it get’s you in the spirit of the season.
2. Tree Ornaments. If you are young and just starting out, you probably haven’t amassed the boxes of Christmas decorations that other’s have. Make your own decorations for the tree. Start with an inexpensive bag of popcorn, thread and a needle. Pop plain popcorn and make long streamers for your tree. I also just read a post from my friend, Susan, about making ornaments out of old Christmas cards. If you haven’t saved them, make the ornaments as the cards come in. If you can’t afford to send a card back to the sender, send an email thanking them.
3. Christmas Events. Make it a family affair to attend all of the holiday events in your community. There might be a Christmas tree lighting, Christmas parade, Carol Singing. A family drive through the nationhood to look at the home light displays is fun. Even if you don’t attend church regularly, their doors are always open - find out when their Christmas Play or show is on and join in. Better yet, have the whole family go to church on Christmas Eve. There is always a special service.
4. Christmas Gifts. If you can’t afford much for gifts this year, make something. It’s not that hard. Use what ever skills you have to come up with something creative. Make your own cookies and put them in clear plastic bags with a red ribbon tie. Here is an inexpensive Idea. Purchase cardstock and some inexpensive Christmas paper and card envelopes at the Dollar Store. If you go to a place that sells cards they always have many extra envelopes, ask to purchase them. They will sell them cheap. Make your own cards. If you have a digital camera, take pictures of yourself holding a sign saying “We love you. Merry Christmas.” Include it in the card. Your loved ones will love the effort and will cherish the picture - I promise.
5. Wrapping Paper. The Dollar Store has great wrapping paper very cheap. If that is even an expense you can’t afford this year, wrap your gifts in the funny papers from the newspaper. The public library get’s a lot of papers that they put in recycling. Ask if you can have them. Even the black and white print is pretty with a red ribbon tied around it. For small gifts try using magazine pages. Have your children color or paint plain newsprint paper and use it for wrapping gifts. Make your own gift tags from the wrapping paper by cutting a rectangle, fold it in half and write inside.
6. Decorate with Nature. Look around outside, it’s amazing what you can discover - pinecones and acorns. I remember my first married Christmas. I collected small pinecones. I invested in a can of gold spray paint (gold or white or silver). I painted all the pinecones then wrapped wire around them for hanging on the tree. I glued a red bow to the top of each one. Along with the popcorn strings, it looked great.
7. Make Christmas Eve Special. Homemade cookies, hot chocolate and board games is a fun way for the whole family to enjoy each other and be together. Don’t forget to have someone read the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve. It’s important to remember what this holiday is all about and it makes a wonderful tradition.
