And the ideas just keep getting better...

I have talked with Heather and Adrienne about this idea and we all agree that we could really simplify Christmas this year.  If we all pitch in $20 bucks to Mom and Dad to aid in getting gifts for the kids, then that eases the burden on everyone.  No one has to save a month's worth of work to pay for the cousin gifts.  The kids still get gifts, but not so many that it overwhelms the spirit of Christmas or the toy box.  If you really, really want to buy gifts for the kids, maybe you could go shopping with Mom and/or Dad.  Or if they want help, maybe you could at least be willing to offer it.  (I would love to go shopping with you guys if you wanted to do it in July :)

For the sibling exchange, we'd do something totally different as well.  We each buy a $20-25 gift card to be used on a date.  Then when we'd usually do the exchange we play a little game to exchange cards (I say we, but it would really be you... since we won't be there).  This way we don't end up cluttering one another's homes, but we get something we all need... a nice date that we might otherwise get to go on.  Adrienne and Heather both suggested that whoever's card you end up with will babysit your kids while you use their card.  That sounds like a great idea to me.  Mom and Dad could even participate in this exchange rather than buy for all of us, if they'd like.  

OK, so far this is the idea going around.  What do you think?  Talk about it with those who are too cool for the blog and see what they think.  I know its May, and if we end up with this plan it won't really matter having it planned this far in advance, but if we go with other plans then I'd like time to budget and shop for it.  Thanks for working with me!  I love ya!

I've been thinking...

It is now officially May and that means we only have like 6 1/2 good months to figure Christmas out.  My thought is the earlier the better.  So what do you guys want to do for Christmas this year?  My family will not be making the trek for the holiday, but that's all the more reason for us to know the plan sooner than later.  I'm just going to list all the ideas I can come up with, good or bad, for consideration...

• family gift exchange like last year
• individual gift exchange
• couple gift exchange and individual kids 
• family gift for mom and dad's house
• festival of trees or some such service
• $5 gift exchange game
• just individual kids exchange
• homemade exchange

I know only a couple of y'all read this blog, but hopefully this will  be enough to get the ball rolling so a decision can be made soon!

I don't know how everyone felt about last year's gifts but it was great for us.  And I really enjoyed the service trip as well, although it didn't really feel like we were doing much.  I love the pictures I got of those cute girls (and boy) with the smiles on their faces.  I also have a great family gift in mind, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if that's what we did.  I'm quite open to whatever the family decides they want to do.  I know my list isn't complete, there are lots of options you may come up with that aren't listed and I know that some of you may hate some of the ideas, like I said, just wanted to get the ball rolling.  

Let's get this figured out soon so Christmas doesn't have to be so stressful or expensive for all of our sakes!