Celebrate Christmas a different way

Maybe before reading this entry, you should read yesterday’s The Final Word column from USA Today. It sets this entry up better than anything I could write.

It doesn’t take too much experience to know that holiday shopping is a pain. Last year was stressful in our house — money was tight and we had to get a present for this person, pay for this holiday outing, get that gift for someone. It was madness!

And for what gain? A few trickets? Gifts for people who probably won’t remember what you gave them six months from now? I know that’s true, because I can’t remember what so-and-so gave me for Christmas six months later. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, but it’s because I have so much, that much more doesn’t make me happier — or make that big a difference.

This year, the Hostetler home is doing something different. We are having an “Almost Buy Nothing” Christmas. Gina got me a GPS for my birthday that will also be my Christmas present. And Gina just got back from a trip to Chicago with some friends of hers — that is her Christmas gift.

And Leah? Leah wants for little — she has a large box of toys that she hasn’t played with since our move. We got her a few trickets, but we also know that her grandparents and aunts and uncles will also give her plenty.

To add to all that, we also convinced Gina’s family not to do a gift exchange this year. Instead we are all meeting at a hotel somewhere in the middle of where we all live and being together — because that’s what we really want.

What more info on this way to celebrate? What more ideas? See BuyNothingChristmas.org.