Christmas Courage

Check out the lace I am working on using the embroidery machine. How cool is this! I have been wanting to give this a try for a long time. Now that the gifts are in the mail its time for some fun playing around. If all goes well this should eventually become a free standing lace Church.

I finished up Mary Hunts new book "Debt-Proof Your Christmas". Thanks for sharing your book review Carla, I always love something new and good to read. Here is a tip. I downloaded the book to my Nook, not such a good idea. At the end of each chapter there are tips and tricks from some of Mary Hunts followers that I couldn't read on the Nook due to the font :(

Much of the book for me was preaching to the choir however it was still enjoyable. Sometimes we can all get a little dusty with our saving and smart shopping, this book will help you get back on track. One of the things I was really excited about was her reference to the courage it takes to get Christmas back where is should be. This was a Duh Hu Ding Dong deal for me!!! I never thought about the word courage when I wrestle with others over what we will or will not do at Christmas. I am sure many of you have been labeled with these same words:

Party Pooper

Hermit

Cheap

Grinch

Miser

B....

Finally a word that fits what our family is trying too achieve at Christmas. The COURAGE to keep Christmas full of wonder and joy but kick the, out of control spending, senseless parties, over rated must do's to the curb.

Here are some things we do that have taken courage over the years to keep Christmas what it really should be for our family.

Say no thanks to so many parties

Gift giving within our budget, no matter the others wallet size

Willing to cut the Christmas gift list when the time is right

Proud to give handmade

Give family gifts instead of individual gifts

Share ideas with others where they might want to make charitable contributions

I can't do it all

Give up traditions that no longer fit our lifestyle

Sorry eating out this month doesn't fit in our budget

Suggest exchanging names and sticking to it

Now when others ridicule or push for us to do this or that I will know that saying NO is my Christmas Courage flexing its muscles!! How cool is that. What have you said no to or changed for your family over the years to keep Christmas comings and goings in check? Share with the rest of us, we can all use more Christmas Courage!!!