Keeping Christmas Simple

Can you believe that Christmas is almost here again? Hasn’t the year gone fast? Now is the time to think about planning for this special event without getting overwhelmed. We are looking forward to having a lovely day, without breaking the bank. Here are some of the ways you can plan to keep your Christmas simple this year.

*** Giveaway at the bottom of the post ***

Set a Budget

The first thing to do is set a budget. Work out what you are going to spend on gifts for each person, as well as food that you will need over the festive season. There are so many ways you can save on food and slash your grocery budget over this holiday period.

To help with the budget, create a list at the beginning of the year of all the people and their ages that you are looking to purchase Christmas gifts for. Throughout the year, especially during sales, if you find something, grab it then. I also do my grocery shopping at Coles, always using my Flybuys card. Over the year, I accumulate Flybuys points which I save and use to buy food or presents for the festive season.

I have also purchased gift cards throughout the year for different stores, which can be used again for food or gifts at this time of the year. The main thing, is to know your budget and don’t go over it!

Homemade Gifts and Giving

There is nothing wrong with homemade gifts. The thought, time and effort that goes into making these gifts is incredible. If it helps with your budget, then make and give your homemade gifts with pride. These homemade gifts are great for those interested in making their own products. 

These inexpensive homemade gifts require only a few ingredients, many that can be used to make multiple different gifts which is a great way to keep under budget while giving useful presents.

Over the years, we have seen photos of kids surround with pile of gifts, often larger than themselves. To us, this is not needed, it is just going overboard. If it is your thing, than great. But it is not us. We believe that giving gifts should be far more rewarding than receiving them.

We have never been big on Santa Claus, stockings or anything like that. We give gifts that we think are appropriate for the age of the receiver, something that would will use – a meaningful gift. For our kids, we tend to buy using four principles: 1) something they want, 2) something to read, 3) something they need and 4) something to wear.

Baking

Having homemade baked goods on hand is great. We have lots of lovely, freshly baked treats, that the whole family gets involved in making. Usually I plan one or two big baking days, but how you do it is up to you.  These milo balls and Tim tam balls are made in advance, mainly by the kids and frozen for when they are needed. Other things salads and cold meat are purchased and prepared the night before, so they are fresh and ready to go on the day. You will find lots of yummy recipes here, though I do recommend the no-bake caramel slice which we enjoy all year round.

Rocky road is a favourite here. It can be made as a slice, a wreath, into trees or even with white chocolate. White Christmas slice is always a winner as is any type of fudge. Shortbread is another favourite, which can also be given as a gift.

Decorations and Traditions – {Keeping Jesus First}

Many people love to decorate their whole house in lights and Christmas decorations. We have never been ones for this, a few simple decorations are all we use. A small tree, a few table decorations and a nativity set to remind us of this special time of the year. 

As with our decorations, our traditions are simple too. Kids love to help make these felt Christmas tree ornaments, or these beaded Christmas trees.

As Christians, Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. This is a great time to spend time with your family and friends, building your family and staying focused what we are actually celebrating. We spend nights with our kids, praying and reading through the nativity story in the Scriptures, counting down the days to the birth of Jesus. 

Counting down to Christmas is fun with these 25 Days of Christmas printables.

On the day itself, we attend a Church service, in which we sing carols, Christmas hymns and hear the Christmas story. We have never made a big fuss about presents, only giving our boys a few each and making sure that we spend time as a family praising God before opening presents.

To help keep kids entertained while you have visitors, out for a meal or even while at church, check out these printable activities.

• Christmas Bible Verse Copywork
• Printable Dominoes
• Christmas I Spy Printables
• Christmas Carols Copywork
• Pattern Worksheets with a Christmas Theme
• Christmas Activity Mats
• Christmas Bingo
• Colour by Code Christmas Themed Worksheets

Enjoying Christmas

Always at the end of the year, a couple of weeks before Christmas, I do a big clean out. Things that are no longer needed are donated or given away and the house is all organised and thoroughly cleaned. As we homeschool, I clean out all of the years homeschooling supplies that we don’t need anymore, making room for the next years supplies, which I prepare after the new year. Once, this is done, I relax and spend time with family and friends. Spending our time reading the Bible, keeping cool and just enjoying each others company.

However you celebrate, happy holidays to you and your family from all of us here at Simple Living. Creative Learning. I hope your Christmas is full of happiness.

 

Christmas is right around the corner! The most wonderful time of the year is almost here – a time for gratitude, togetherness, and celebration!!

I’m teaming up with an amazing group of bloggers to bless several families this year!! With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we know a little extra something can go a long way. That’s why we’re giving away FOUR $200 gift cards to four winners—and you get to choose where you’d like to spend it.  Whether you’re dreaming of a shopping spree, treating yourself to a fancy meal, or checking off your gift list, this is your chance to make it happen.

Each winner will get a $200 gift card to wherever they choose – a restaurant, clothing store, grocery store, online retailer – any place that offers gift cards!

There are lots of entry options in the Rafflecopter form below – the more you enter, the better your chance of winning! I know it can seem tedious and time consuming to go through all the entries, but isn’t a chance at $200 worth it? I think it is! Plus, all of these amazing bloggers donated their own money towards the prizes, so this giveaway wouldn’t be possible without them. I hope you’ll take the time to check out each one. Who knows, maybe you will find some new blogs to follow.

The giveaway will run from Monday, November 18th through Wednesday, November 27th (ends at 11:59pm EST). Winner will be notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends and will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize or another winner will be drawn.

By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. Please be sure to read the Rafflecopter terms and conditions upon entering.

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