It’s Almost Christmas

Exchanging gifts with family and friends can be traced back to the 15th century where Father Christmas brought gifts. While children make lists of gifts they would like to receive from Santa, adults make lists of gifts they would like to give family and friends. Some families simplify Christmas gift giving by drawing names. Instead of buying gifts for every family member, each person is responsible for just one gift for one relative.

In these tough economic times, everyone wants to continue the Christmas gift giving tradition without putting a strain on family finances. While some family members may still be able to afford the expensive presents of the past, some may not be able to keep up. It makes sense to set a limit on the number and value of gifts this season.

While some families will draw individual names, others may decide focus on giving family gifts. Family gifts can be shared with every member of the family. Here are some examples of great family gifts:

• Board games are great gifts that can be bring family members of all ages together. Examples: Clue, Monopoly, various trivia or word games
• Large puzzles can be set up in the family room until they are complete.
• DVDs or movie rental certificates and a few packages of microwave popcorn are all that is needed for family movie nights. These nights are a fun way to spend time together during winter storms and cold spells.
• Gift baskets of special treats can be enjoyed by all the family too. Some fancy nuts, flavored popcorn, rich chocolates, and sweet cocoa mixes are just a few of the items everyone likes.
• Certificates for a family night out at their favorite pizza or burger will give mom the night off and give everyone in the family at special treat.
• If camping is their thing, then look for something that would make camping even more fun.
• If they love cooking, look for a great specialty cookbook or cooking magazine.
• For the creative family subscriptions to craft magazines, weekend project books and gift cards for supplies. They will have hours of creativity to spend together.
• For the new family, scrap-booking supplies is a great way to start keeping memories.
• Many of the amusement parks around the country have season passes; and for a family that enjoys the thrills of the rides they could enjoy going more often than usual.
• For some families Saturday morning breakfast or Sunday brunch is a time when they all can get together and catch up. A basket of their favorite jams and jellies, flavored syrups and specialty pancake or waffle mix would not go unwelcome.

If you take a little time to think about what the family enjoys doing together, you will think of lots of possibilities. With the internet you can find hundreds of ways to make your gift giving dollars go further. Giving family gifts for Christmas can be just as much fun to give and to receive as individual gifts. Family gifts also help strengthen the bonds between family members.