Revolution: Christmas: What We Learned About Holidays From Our Poorest Years

When the economy took a turn for the worst, The Mr's freelance career slowed down... a lot. There were months when we didn't have much income at all. Then when a holiday would come around, say Valentines, Memorial Day or the 4th of July, I would get a little sad. Most of the time we either just didn't really celebrate the holiday or in a very, very simple way. And you know what, I learned a lot. It really opened our eyes to what was really important and what we didn't need. The overall lesson... we don't need holidays... well, not most of them. Or at the very least, we don't need to spend money to celebrate them.

First of all... Holidays cost money! At least that is what they want you to think...
Some times we didn't have money around a certain holiday because we were waiting on a check and therefore we couldn't buy anything and it made me feel a little left out. What is Valentine's Day if you can't buy a little candy or decorations? Yes, we were that poor some times;) But the stores want to make you believe that you need the decorations, the cards, the candy, a special gift... Just walk into any store on Christmas Eve and you will find that all the Christmas decorations have been liquidated and the Valentine's stuff has already been put out!

Not to mention all the food that we end up buying. Of course, if you are going to spend on anything, it is food;)

And for those that drink, the cost of alcohol... My two cents: Don't drink... You're wasting so much money and your life... You can't even remember what you did last night... Not to mention all the drunk drivers. This is no way to spend a holiday! Just my personal opinion. I'm sure if you drink you don't agree with me... But think about it. You shouldn't have a hangover and loss of memory the day after Christmas when we should be worshiping God. And on top of that every day you get to spend with your family is a gift. It should be cherished and remembered:) Not forgotten in a drunken moment.

Decorations cost money and create a lot of waste
How much of our money do we spend on things we just end up throwing away. I suppose if you have decorations that you save from year to year it is an investment, but disposable table clothes, napkins, plates, random paper decorations that don't survive the party and such just create waste, don't you think?

Every Day You're Together Should Be a Holiday
Well, in an ideal world, right? I mean, I know people live for holidays and weekends because it means a break from the monotony but we can change our perspective. Maybe because we don't live a typical life with the Mr. working freelance this has been a natural progression for us, but over the years we have forgotten what it is like to look forward to a holiday to have a special day. There are many times when he just isn't around for a holiday. So we end up celebrating the time he is home rather than a holiday. It is a treat to spend time together as a family. Sometimes we just lounge around the house watching movies, or visit a museum, or go out for a nice lunch.

I have come to love this because there isn't so much pressure to do something fun on a specific day. And if you just celebrate togetherness when you as a family can, then you will usually miss the lines and crowds! Bonus!

You can still celebrate without all the commercialism
Of course, there is nothing wrong with celebrating holidays, just aim to be less commercial. Instead of buying everything or anything at all, make what you can at home. Use music and movies to create an environment that your kids will remember. Do some special service that day or leave a secret treat or surprise for some unsuspecting person:) How much funner is it to get a homemade valentine rather than just a store bought one with a piece of cheap candy stuck to it? Just another way to give the stores more of our hard earned money and rot kids' teeth...

Some holidays just aren't worth the money
No matter what you tell me, some holidays are just plain silly. I have no ties to the Irish... well, maybe somewhere way back in my DNA, but St. Patrick's Day is so pointless to me. Other than wearing green, avoiding getting pinched and something about green beer I have no idea how to observe this day without turning, well, green! No offense to the Irish. You should probably celebrate it still;) I have seen people make green eggs ad ham to celebrate, heck, I think I did that one year. What is the point? I should do my history and learn to appreciate it, right? Well, no, I'd rather focus my efforts on other things. Again no offense to the Irish.

Save your money for the ones that count and matter most to you
For me, it just isn't worth the money to try and make each holiday fun for the kids. They won't know the difference if I just never give in to the commercialism. And then, if I'm good about it, I can put away what I might have spent into our Christmas Jar or into a savings account for birthdays and so forth.

Special days to save for:
Thanksgiving with all the food
Christmas with presents and donations
Birthday presents for 4 kids plus the Mr and I
Vacations (not necessarily taken on holidays)

We need fun things to do as a family, we just don't have to always go with the crowd on how we spend our money or that time together. And if we all cut back a little throughout the year on the money we would usually spend on less worth-while holidays and save it for charitable contributions at Christmas and other times, I know it will make a huge difference! The stores are going to lynch me, aren't they??

Here's to having a beautiful and simple life this 2012!

A few pictures from our family excursions this past year:)

Just looking at them makes me want to take a holiday right now and go on an adventure!