| We have barely gotten through Halloween, and just | | | | Decide what traditions will be continuing and which |
| squeaked by Thanksgiving, and for months already | | | | ones really are not working (i.e. buying everything on |
| the stores have been filled with Christmas | | | | the wish list even though you know half of it will be |
| decorations and the latest "hot" gift ideas. | | | | broken in a week and the other half will be left in the |
| The kids have made wish lists five pages long of all | | | | back of the closet before Valentines' Day.) |
| the things they "just have to have". They want | | | | If you're going to do something different -especially |
| everything to do with Spiderman and Halo. Oh, and | | | | in regards to gift giving, make sure you have a family |
| you couldn't possibly forget the new ATV. And did | | | | discussion well ahead of time so that there will be no |
| you see those new phones that have a camera and | | | | high expectations shattered on Christmas morning. |
| an IPOD all in one? They just couldn't live without | | | | Yes, the kids may complain at first, but don't they |
| those. All of their friends have had them for years. | | | | complain about a lot of things - like eating their |
| Hmmm, does this sound a little too familiar? | | | | veggies? |
| Are you completely overwhelmed with the | | | | Make sure you give your kids suggestions on what |
| commercialization of the holidays? | | | | they could make or do for other people in lieu of |
| Do you want more nostalgic memories to resurface | | | | store bought gifts. For example, a certificate to feed |
| and become a part of your children's favorite holiday | | | | the family dog for a week, or one to take out the |
| memories? | | | | trash. Both of these "gifts" would be beneficial to the |
| Do you want your kids to remember holidays by | | | | entire family without costing anything. |
| what latest gadget they received that year? Or, | | | | Think outside of the box. Be creative. Come up with |
| would you rather them remember what you did as a | | | | your own unique ideas that work for your family. If |
| family, how you helped others, simple everyday | | | | you are still struggling and the days are flying by |
| things you did together? | | | | faster then you can count, check out these free |
| Are you ready to take back the holiday? | | | | downloadable fill-in-the-blank certificates that make |
| If so, be brave, get off the bandwagon, and start | | | | fantastic personalized gifts for everyone on your list. |
| new traditions. Make your holiday how YOU think it | | | | We used them at the end of the year for the kids' |
| should be, not how highly paid marketing analysts | | | | teachers and they loved them. |
| think it should be. Once you have made the decision | | | | Think about it -- is there a better gift than the one |
| to direct your own holidays, you need to form a plan | | | | that comes from your heart? |
| of action. | | | | |