Christmas Economy

In a big family Christmas can become a trying time, a very expensive time. So how do we afford Christmas for 9 children, two adults and our extended family? Simplify, simplify, simplify and make homemade gifts. We had the children draw names for each other and encouraged them to make homemade when possible. We have several new double sided fleece blankets, the little boys each got a John Deere one from their "secret sibling".

B#2's "secret sibling, B#4, made her this vintage apron.

The little boys got these great hooded bath towels from Mamaw and Papaw.

And then we just get simple little gifts that the person receiving them would enjoy. Daddy loves his coke so mom got him these bottled cokes. Over the years we have learned that we do not want our children to grow up getting lots of "stuff" for Christmas that they won't even remember next year. We do get them each something meaningful, usually books and then we do a family gift. All in all we had a good, simple Christmas.