Home Made Christmas

This year I'm going back to the long-abandoned Gruenberg tradition of Home Made Christmas. Yes we hated it as kids. The pressure. The paralyzing fear, what do I make for ___? I can't make anything. What do I do? Only ___ days and I haven't started it yet! There was always the last minute scramble, the declarations of "Stay out of my room!" and the frantic wrapping two hours before unwrapping-time. We did it for ten years. And then the kids got old enough to completely revolt and the tradition was gone. But this year, I find myself looking at crafty websites and blogs with recipes and brainstorming ideas for what to give our families. I told Mom and Dad that if the internet had been around when we were groing up (or at least in a state more like today) there would have been no excuse for not being able to think of what to make. There are a zillion ideas out there and a zillion more videos to show you how to do anything you can imagine. Despite the work and grumbling, the tradition produced many priceless treasures because we were forced to really think about what the other person liked, what we could do to create something they would enjoy without spending any money on the gift.

So this year I'm going back to that, not to produce some priceless gem, but at least spend a little more time thinking about how we can enjoy each other's company. And to break with tradition, I'm trying really hard to not wait until the day before Christmas to make the gifts. (Also, I'm spending money on supplies and parts, which wasn't allowed when we were kids.) So the kids and I spent all day today in the ___ making ___ and ___. I took lots of pictures to show how much fun we had and what a mess we made. But obviously I can't share now!

The best quote today comes courtesy of Archer. "Maybe we should stop thinking about others and start thinking more about ourselves. Wait! I mean..." He did get it straightened out. And then told me that he likes to help others. How's that for a gift?

Maybe if Dad sees this and emails me some pics from Christamases past I can add those here. :) Hint hint