De-Stress Christmas

Christmas is so very close. Everyone is getting stressed out about shopping; the fact they still need to do it, or the money it'll end up costing them.

But I'm not hearing it from my parents or siblings.

We decided as a family that presents (not only for Christmas) will no longer be welcome, after I turned 18 (since I'm the baby of the family), just cards. At first it was a little strange but when that first December rolled around, I realized what a tremendous weight was lifted off my shoulders. A stress-free holiday season was the best gift I could have ever imagined.

Now this is not to say we have banished Christmas, not in the slightest (mom still cranks the 'Boney M' Christmas CD for hours on end until I can switch it to 'Merry Christmas Charlie Brown'). We still have goose on Christmas Eve (German tradition) and a big breakfast on Christmas morning.

I know this is not for everyone, so I have added a link to '34 Great Gifts You Can Make Yourself' from Get Rich Slowly, which can take the stress of the money issue and add a little personal touch to the gifts you give.

'34 Great Gifts You Can Make Yourself'[Get Rich Slowly]

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