Can we escape going ape?

Today's post is brought to you by my real-life friend, Kelly. She blogs over at Waiting for a Little Vlachster.

Kelly's blog has a growing following for good reason. She thinks of the most hilarious things to write about, which means her posts are always loads of fun. She and husband Kyle are waiting for their daughter, coming (hopefully soonish) from China, and Kelly blogs about their life "in the meantime," while keeping us all up to date on their adoption process.

It is because of the way she looks at life that Kelly can turn everyday adventures into great stories. She has a positive perspective and an inspiring attitude. She is one of the most accepting and genuine people I know. I'm so happy she's posting here on the EO today. Thank you, Kelly!
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I am really excited to develop our own Christmas traditions when our daughter from China arrives, in hopefully a couple years or sooner. I want to partake in stress-free, meaningful ways to celebrate this special season. I don’t want to be a psycho mess of a mom, complaining about all there is to do, make, and buy. I dream about an amazing meal that will be chosen with careful selection to enjoy every Christmas Eve, or Christmas morning. Perhaps a favorite movie we cuddle up and watch every year. Or a gingerbread house that is carefully constructed Christmas Eve morning to set out with cookies and milk for Santa that night. A trip to the 8th floor of the downtown Dayton’s, I mean Macy’s, for their Christmas display will be a must-do as well.

So I have all of these dreams and ideas, and I’m realistic that it may take years before my kids appreciate it, but to establish traditions early on is important to me. One thing I have been thinking about is the whole gift business. What a business it is. Yowsa. Scary. While I know I cannot change how extended families do their thing, I love the thought of implementing one of the following ideas with my own family someday.

I recently stumbled upon a blog called Dandee. This artistic woman bleeds creativity. It was her post titled Want. Need. Wear. Read. that had me clicking to a previous post of hers to learn more about her Christmas giving idea, and how to make sure the “more” factor was replaced with a lovely tradition. Essentially her kids get four gifts, one for each category, plus a gift from St. Nick. I really love this idea. It simplifies. It creates tradition and meaning. It means the gifts have not gone APE and taken over the entire day/week/month or meaning of it.

I’ve also heard about families doing a Craigslist Christmas, where each gift is bought on Craigslist. I like that idea too, because that would mean all gifts are being bought locally. Then there is the Only Handmade Gifts Christmas. I would stink at that one, but throw in the caveat that the gifts could be made by anyone’s hand and hello Etsy or Ten Thousand Villages, here I come.

Taking it to a HNL (‘ho ‘nutha levo) is Buy Nothing Christmas. Buy Nothing Christmas is a national initiative started by Canadian Mennonites but open to everyone with a thirst for change and a desire for action.” While there website still says 2007, their idea is timeless. One of their posters you can download has a picture of Jesus that says, “Where does it say that you should buy so much stuff to celebrate my birthday?” Now I am not much for people making up Jesus talk…but this one got me thinking…the words “so much” in particular. Maybe on a “Buy Nothing Christmas” year, a family could substitute a “Do Something for Christmas.” I read about this on the Sojourners website last year. A father wrote about how his family all takes part in planning a vacation for Christmas each year. Yes, it does involve money. But making a significant memory, seeing the world, and spending time together also.

At Dianna’s terrific dinner party last Sunday, she told me about a tradition her father started, which she now continues with her family. He didn’t want anyone working in the kitchen over Christmas so a delicious soup would be made the day before. I love this idea. Slaving away on a special meal is nice and all, but simplicity can be quite tasty and stress free in my book, leaving more time to relax and enjoy family. A hot soup/stew, a homemade loaf of bread, and a pie and you’re set.

One little thing we started last year that made the shopping easier was to buy ourselves a Visa gift card with our Christmas gift budget on it. Our purchases aren't messing up our checking account or on a credit card and once the money is gone, we are done. Easy and a free convenience you can get at your bank.

I like all of these ideas but I know there are more out there, because Heather has a wicked smart following. So I would like to know what you do, if you consider yourself someone who has simplified Christmas. If you haven’t yet, do you dream about it? I encourage you to stop dreaming, stop pulling your hair out and wanting to suddenly play bumper cars in the Target parking lot. Be bold, and make it happen. But first share you plan of attack!

(I know, I know, Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet! That is why later, after you comment with all of your amazing ideas, you can visit my blog for a Turkey Tale today. It will make you gobble, I mean chuckle.)