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Cheap Christmas Gifts


© Teresa Brouwer

I could recall when I was a young mom, Christmas, at times, was depressing for me. Not having a lot of money enabled me from getting and doing certain things around the holidays.

I remember one Christmas a family member gave us toys their kids grew out of because I didn't have the funds to buy my kids anything. It was such a horrible feeling for me as a parent. The only thing I thought about to soothe my pain was that I said to myself at least they are very, very young and don't realize what is going on.

For many, many years, Christmas has become so materialized. The expectations around the holidays literally bring some people to the brink of suicide. Suicide statistics are known to be the highest around the holidays.

Through my years of growing as an adult and as a parent, I realized that it is not about "the gift" but The Gift of Giving. When we give to others, a price tag should not come with the package. It is the "thought" that counts. It is the "love" that was put into the gift giving.

There are a lot of families that are less fortunate and there are a lot of single parents in this world. But society has a way of making us feel that Christmas has to be the picture perfect scene.

We are sucked into the music and movies, trees and lights, parades and Santa, Christmas cards and pictures, cooking and baking, gifts for teachers, co-workers, bosses, friends, and family, Christmas shows and concerts, wrapping and stocking stuffers, and we are conditioned to believe that Christmas is not Christmas without snow.

The good thing is that Christmas is in everyone's heart. Christmas is the time of year to share good times with family and friends, it is a time to come together and give to others that are less fortunate and to give to those who we love and cherish in our hearts and in our lives. There are so many ways to give to others without having to feel that you have to shop at Macy*s or some expensive store.

Handmade gifts are the best gifts of all. They are handcrafted by the person who is giving and it is made from love.

Check out this web site on how to make handmade greeting cards: http://www.cardinspirations.co.uk/demo.h... Try baking for the holidays and give out homemade cookies as gifts: http://www.christmas-cookies.com Give to those who are in need:

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

2.   Dec 3, 2003 9:13 AM
In response to message posted by biogardener:

Hi Traute:) Like I always say I LOVE your articles. Those were very nice to read ...


-- posted by Tery01


1.   Dec 3, 2003 12:49 AM
This is one of my favorite subjects to write about. One year, I wrote two articles on the subject, and this year, I have again done so. I will list the three articles here:





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