I grew up knowing Santa is not real, and will do the same for my kids, I know how frustrating it is buying for my neices and nephew that get over bought for at Christmas you know any gift you give will go unnoticed, amongst the huge pile - I have just spent £50 on gifts I know will not be greatfully received or loved. Personally I don't think you need to change Christmas day to have a more simple Christlike time, you opt to do it yourself in your own home, my Mum did we had Steak for our Christmas Meal so there was no huge excess at the meal but everyone enjoyed it, Christmas Decorations did not go up early etc
I like the pagan bits of the holiday lol - I start with advent. we have a small tea party and put out our advent calender (boxes with a religious activity, chocolate and a nativity piece in, and the name of a Christmas story (we read one every night) my children are growing up knowing Santa is a story, a fictional character, we actually do the commercial bit of Christmas on Christmas Eve (when we decorate the tree), we attend midnight mass, open presents and eat. Ellie puts her mince pie, carrot and milk out on 23rd and the tree and presents get delivered (our tree is ivory with silver lanterns and its magic which is why we get everything early lol). For Christmas day we celebrate Jesus's birtday, I have a star that goes on top of the tree just for that day, we have a happy birthday Jesus Cake and each family member either makes a paper boat or a scroll (depending on weather), in it is written our 3 presents for Jesus for the year. If weather is good we go for a hike and let our boats go, if weather is bad we have picnic in living room and let the scrolls go on balloons in the garden.
Our children get 3 presents for Christmas off Mum and Dad, something they really want, this year my daughter is getting High School Musical bits and my son a Car Mat and Cars, they are then getting a book and a sweets. However we are spending more this year as got a good deal on a trumpet for my daughter (she is learning to play), so have bought my son a keyboard. But gave them as advent presents rather than on Christmas itself so we don't set a precedent.
What I love is every present they have gets appreciated and played with. I would love to do what my Mum did and just collect money off everyone and used it to buy one big present for my brother and I, then anyone that wanted just did things like dressing gown and slippers or sweets etc.
Oh and I do not allow huge excess with the food either we eat something everyone enjoys and just make it a bit nicer with more expensive juice. and maybe cheese and biscuits
Maybe I am a Grinch lol but I like my Christmas its no work for anyone, and no stress financially
-Charley
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