Use what you like lol - for me Christmas should never be a huge amount of expense or energy it should be fun for all - growing up my Mum always did steak and chips instead of a traditional Christmas dinner.
our compromise with Santa is that we do Santa but Ellie is also aware he is not real - we explained he is like a character in a book and its nice to believe he is real, but he isn't, but that some children believe he is and not to say anything. She says she wants to pretend he is real - but I still wanted to do what my parents did and open presents on Christmas Eve at midnight (or when we get back from mass) - so we came up with the magic tree lol also means Christmas is simply Jesus' birthday.
We also try to do the 3 gifts the kids get one big gift each and then sweets and a book. Richard and I have yet to have bought each other something lol we have never been able to afford it before this year, I want to spoil Richard because my friend Stephen always makes sure I have loads of presents.
-Charley
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