Holiday- help me think through a pared down Christmas that doesn't deprive my kids

[Anonymous]

This fall has been a lot (work stress requiring long hours/full focus, a few funerals, spouse traveling for work, etc). We also had some unanticipated expenses so I am not feeling as flush. Normally this time of year I have made good progress in terms of present shopping, planning for the holidays. But this year. I just can't muster the energy and enthusiasm.

Have already decided not to do a card, though maybe if I have the time over Xmas break, I will get it together and send a new years's card. We went on some nice trips this year.

My kids are in upper elementary and middle school (DD). I don't want to be a grinch. They don't really need anything. They love to read and the usual stuff. Could I get away with minimal gifts (thinking a gift card for clothes as they love choosing clothes themselves) and like candy/chocolat? They love to read and play video games together. I am just not feeling it with all the stocking stuffers, stuff I normally wouldn't question in the past, but just feels like a waste of money/landfill space? I'd rather save our money for meaningful experience (trip) but I don't know if I will have that planned out when it's Christmas.

Help! They are great kids. They want for nothing. But they are kids, after all, and none of this is their fault.

[Anonymous]

I always do minimal gifts, and not a lot of experiences. We're not a family that does much. Mostly what we cherish is time off from work and school, and cooking our favorite foods.

[Anonymous]

Set expectations. Christmas changes as the kids get older.

[Anonymous]

Create some fun new traditions.

For Christmas Eve, everybody opens a new book and then you turn on one of those fake hearths or sit in front of the fire place and have cocoa and read for an hour.

In lieu of a bunch of random stocking stuffers, give them each a gift card and use them on after-Christmas sales. I would probably still do one main gift per kid (like sneakers or headphones or something, depends on the kid).

For Christmas dinner, I like the suggestion I’ve seen on here before to just get a huge assortment of frozen appetizers (pigs in a blanket, spanakopita, taquitos, etc.) and bake them all and have those. It feels unique and festive but is basically no work.

[Anonymous]

Talk to them. Sounds like you over do it all year round.

[Anonymous]

DH and I have always done a very small Christmas, so giving our kids only a few gifts and not doing much is no big deal to them. But if your kids are used to a whole song and dance, you should talk to them about ramping down this year. Find out what's really important to them during Christmas and see if you can do that - maybe it's watching a specific movie or eating specific cookies while listening to music, or matching pjs, etc.

[Anonymous]

At that age you can have fun telling them I have this budget let’s go shopping, or go on Amazon, and let them pick out what they want. They can help you wrap it and decorate, etc. Throw in one or two items they weren’t expecting and call it a day.

[Anonymous]

OP no one needs a New Year card of your nice trips.

Pare down if you’d like but a gift card and chocolate is something you’d give to an acquaintance or caregiver

[Anonymous]

No NY card.
Give each kids 3 gifts plus the gift card and a stocking. Order from Amazon for the stocking.

[Anonymous]

Take them on an adventure, like taking the train to NYC or going to a fancy hotel downtown, sitting in the bar, and then having a cool/fun dinner at a fancy restaurant. I feel like that’s usually a hit with kids that age. Make sure you take amazing photos of them on the adventure if they do social media. This might not work for the elementary school kid if it’s a boy so possibly divide and conquer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take them on an adventure, like taking the train to NYC or going to a fancy hotel downtown, sitting in the bar, and then having a cool/fun dinner at a fancy restaurant. I feel like that’s usually a hit with kids that age. Make sure you take amazing photos of them on the adventure if they do social media. This might not work for the elementary school kid if it’s a boy so possibly divide and conquer.

Not OP, but that doesn't sound pared down.

[Anonymous]

I'm with the others, no one wants the trip focused new years card OP. Skip that completely.

I'd change the gifts around this year and buy less,.like you've already done. Buy them books and the gift cards and maybe some sort of video game focused gift for both.

Why not do a fun activity locally instead of planning a trip? Something you haven't done as a family before?

[Anonymous]

There is a light / holiday festival near Olney MD this year that is pricey, but may be fun for their ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take them on an adventure, like taking the train to NYC or going to a fancy hotel downtown, sitting in the bar, and then having a cool/fun dinner at a fancy restaurant. I feel like that’s usually a hit with kids that age. Make sure you take amazing photos of them on the adventure if they do social media. This might not work for the elementary school kid if it’s a boy so possibly divide and conquer.

I don't even know where to start with this...

[Anonymous]

Pared down presents sounds find but most kids love stocking stuffers-I would put your (remaining) energy into some fun little stuff.