Christmas gift

One always looks forward to Christmas and having that fun time with family. However not eveyone can look forward as it means hardship and struggle when the money just isn't there. Our children all get excited as the Christmas season fast approaches and it never changes.
In the present day I am the very proud mother to three young men. The childhood days are long gone and the excitement however is no less! Santa will still come to the 'men' and smiles will be had on Christmas Day.
But I may differ just a little from many around me. Lots of money does NOT be spent. Lots of presents do NOT be bought. This has always been the way. When the boys were little there was always a budget and it was never exceeded. The budget was put in place initially because funds were low and times were tough. No shame in admitting it and I'll always stand by it. I think the budget was €50 each when the  children were little and it went up to €100 in the teenage years. It was a lot for us and it enabled the children to recieve a nice present and small surprise each year.
I recall close friends spending in excess of €500 on each child and I always said that even if I could ever afford such, it would not be put in place. I have never been able to afford such so the decision has never been an issue.
Christmas for me was always about the fun and frolics during the Christmas period. It was about sharing that glass of wine (maybe 2!) with a very dear friend on Christmas Eve. It was about the children waking myself and their Dad in the very early hours and them insisting that Dad venture downstairs first. This ritual went on for many years.
Now on Christmas Eve, Dad and I still put the surprise presents out when all are in bed. I still have that glass of wine with the dear friend. And fortunately we do get to lie on that little bit longer now (maybe 6am!). The boys still get up quite early and the Christmas morning fun will still be had.
I'm telling this story because I think I did Christmas the right way. I'm not saying I'm right but I think it paid off. The holiday time was about spending it with the children and just enjoying. It was the one time of year we always had 'pyjama days'. We had 'movie days' and we just had 'family days'. Each of these days cost nothing. But they were rich and filled with wealth in so many ways.
As I watched an IKEA advertisment online just recently it all came back to me. It really does hit home what children really want. I'm pretty certain I didn't get to give my children everything they ever wanted but I did give my time. Now as they all grow into adults, I can see the rewards. Just give it a go. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
IKEA advert

GMcC