Celebrations and current events

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Country Families : One Thread

Ok, Mitch said we were slow today so I'll ask a question- Has anyone significantly altered Their Holiday Celebration because of current events, whether it be 9/11 or the recession?

Because I'm not working this year, we didn't spend as much money on gifts, but because I'm at home, I spent a lot more Time on them. We did not shop out of town- I skipped my shopping-day out trip to Bowling Green. We did less out of the home celebrating-last year we did parties, a dinner theater trip (A christmas Carol) School pagent-we skipped that this year. We missed the Christmas Parade-the weather was abysimal. Unfortantly, I didn't do my December Blood drive volenteer work-I had a sinus infection and couldn't give becouse I was on Antibiotics, but this year they had plenty of donors and plenty of volenteer helpers. I didn't work on the Angel Tree. But the kids and I did carol and take stockings to the Nursing home, and we did make up a HUGE box of clothes and a basket of groceries for house fire victems. We gave to the Food Pantry.

This year our celebrating is much more family centered-My husband and I have taken a lot of time to do all the traditional family activites, we're making cookies together, telling family stories and histories of traditions. Last year, I felt that I did most of the Christmas stuff-this year, everyone has pitched in. Its much less stressful, and I'm having a much better time!

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 20, 2001

Answers

Glad you asked this question Kelly.....We had planned on staying home this year because we went away last year. I was just talking to my husband last night after listening to the news, I still can't believe so much has changed since Sept 11, I still don't get it? Why did people stop spending? We live in a farming area and I think everyone around here is still spending. We really haven't changed our spending habits that much. We don't eat out as much but that's because they raise prices for the minumun wage. Hope others join in this discussion. We live in Wa state and the west side has been hit hard with the loss of Boeing contracts and high tech job cuts.

-- Jo (farmerjo@kvalley.com), December 20, 2001.

We have not altered our habits much.

-- Jo (mamamia2kids@msn.com), December 20, 2001.

We are basically doing the same things we have always done. One big difference is that we started a gift exchange with family members, instead of buying for everyone. Much simpler than getting and giving DOZENS of presents. I really do like ot much better.

Another different thing is I haven't baked hundreds of cookies like I usually do. I am just baking a few of the favorite ones, and not all of the others.

I did spend less money. Even though Cale is working, he is only making about 2/3 of what he usually makes, so we have had to cut back on a lot of things. However our overall financial situation has never been better.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 20, 2001.


Things this year will be very different for our family due to finances...the only change related to 9/11 is that our youngest son will not be coming home for Christmas. In order to get here, he would have to take two planes, both from huge airports (PHilly & Atlanta) and none of us are comfortable with him flying (including him!)...Other than that, the changes all revolve around finances..we will, Lord willing, have a wonderful day without gifts...lots of hugs and much love to fill everyone's heart.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), December 20, 2001.

I think actually I am busier than I have been at any other Christmas. And people seem to be more giving. We had an archetectural firm adopt our family. Someone signed the kids up for a program. So far we have 75 presents under the tree with more to come. We have also been able to give more this year. I haven't been effected by the 11th job wise because of the new museum opening in May they need people there to open it. And as much as they have spent on it there is no way they are just going to let the building sit there.

-- melinda (speciallady104@hotmail.com), December 21, 2001.


We had a summer of celebrations. Just at our house alone we had over 75 guests and up to 50 at one time. In between these event, we traveled to other families' weekend celebrations. We had 50th wedding anniversaries, 25th wedding anniversaries, going away parties for the young men going in the service. Some folks traveled thousands of miles to be with family last summer. I saw uncles and cousins I haven't seen in 35 years and it was good.

It seems we all felt the winds of change and that summer could be the last time we would see some of our loved ones, that it would be the last time we all felt free to travel and the last time we would have something to really celebrate. We had one more gathering planned for September but we canceled it. Greg lost his vacation because of 9-11 and no one wanted to travel. The party was over.

As soon as I heard the news of 9-11, I went out and planted my neglected garden. We have been seriously focusing on the farm since that day. Extra money went to filling the pantry and the feed shed. Goats were purchased and bred, more chickens were ordered, fences were finished, pastures were limed, seed was inspected.

Yes, we are doing thing a bit differently this Christmas. Greg will be working instead of having the week off. No one is coming to stay with us. My oldest daughter is not coming home this year and we are not planning on going anywhere. We are not doing any Christmas programs at the church or community. No lines to remember, no costumes and no ballet practice this year.

Because I do not buy -made in china- unless absolutely neccessary, Christmas shopping at the stores didn't happen. All that shopping was done online through eBay or mail order companies and it is all delivered to my doorstep. This year's gifts are practical, clothes and educational toys and equipment and books.

The tree did get put up, but it is a wallhugger. No branches on the backside with the trunk secured to the wall. The kids did the decorating with the littlest one being lifted up to put a paper star on top. No decorator showpiece this year!

We never did do the Santa thing. It has always been Jesus's birthday party. This year it is with a deeper knowledge of His love and grace in our lives. It is about the gifts that He has given us and what we must give to Him and not about the boxes under the tree. It is the year to make memories. Even the children are more comfortable this year than with the hectic schedules of the past.

My Christmas tradition is that it should be different every year. Keep the good things that work for the family and try something new every year.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), December 22, 2001.


We spent half as much this year on presents, reserving cash for travel to the states. We are not wrapping till we get there, in case they want to inspect things at the border. I made more things than normal, and shopped ahead a little for the first time in my personal history.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), December 22, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ