Scaling back holiday plans

[+ glennnnn]

My family and friends have agreed to limit spending and travel this holiday season due to weather and economic concerns. most of us plan to increase our local charitable giving and stop stressing over seeking out gifts for people who already have everything. Young children are exempt from this embargo.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

I skipped paying to decorate the exterior of the house with Christmas lights this year because of a tighter budget.  I usually pay a couple hundred to have a crew put up and take down lights on my two story home, plus the cost of the additional electricity.

[Guest]

For a first, I will have my entire family here (best present evah!!) with my grandkids.  But I’m way beyond the excesses of Christmas.  I did buy nine stockings to hang on the fireplace but no outside lights and I’m sticking with my unpretentious four foot tree on a table.   Every bed will be full and I’ll be focused on feeding the adults, occupying the kids and hoping that tomorrow’s 50° temperature drop to 0° with 40mph winds doesn’t knock the power out! Hopefully, even without Christmas lights, it will be the warmest home on the street!

[+ Pensant]

I just did a nice wreath and white lights on the two false cypress trees in planters on either side of the front entrance and a small live tree in the main area. We exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. If I can stay awake and tolerate the Arctic air, I may walk two blocks to the early 19th c. Catholic Church for their Midnight Mass. The episcopal one requires driving.