I am giving my sisters and my mother a Christmas basket with food goodies and some lotion. Weird combo, but we are a weird family.  I have one sister who doesn't give gifts because her husband won't let her.  She is allowed to give the children gifts, but not her siblings or apparently our mother either.  I could care less whether she gets me anything or not, but she she doesn't even acknowledge my mother with a gift.  She does however, come and eat our food (she doesn't bring anything to the dinner) and she takes some of it home with her to my brother-in-law.  He doesn't attend our dinner.  My sister and her husband are not poor by any means.  They have money.  I don't won't gifts because I can buy my own things.  I would just like for her to acknowledge us in a nicer way than rushing in, eating, taking, and getting the heck out of dodge.  She doesn't do this with her in-laws, just her family. 

I am slightly bitter about this and apologize for the tone.  I have a great family whom I love.  I love this sister too.  She is different and I accept that, but we are still putting a cap on the amount of leftovers she takes home this year.

The point of this blog is: love your family, embrace their differences, because that is your family and Christmas is about family.  Evan weird sisters need love too.

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I will be getting most of my Christmas gifts from the grocery store this year as I am doing food gifts. I told my niece ( a 20 year old) I already had her gift picked out.  She said I hope its food.  I just snickered, but didn't tell her that she was right.  She and her husband love snack food and they are saving money to buy a home so they don't spend money on it.  I am putting together a snack food box for them.

I have bought a few things that weren't food related.  I bought some CD's for my other niece and nephew at Target.  I bought their clothes at a large Wecycled sale that was held here in September.  Wecycled is a great event here in our county.  Women will bring in their childrens gently used clothes, equipment, and even some household items and it's sold at 1/4 its original price.  Everything is in top notch condition.  I don't have children, but I go to find things for my nieces and nephews.

I have decided this year that if I can't find what I am looking for for Christmas at the grocery store, local Dollar General/Family Dollar stores, or at thrift stores then I will give money. I have even considered the internet. 

I have had it with Christmas at the mall or department stores in general.  Its crowded, expensive, and people are just down right rude.  Frankly, I hyperventilate at the mall as it is too crowded.  Which I guess in a way helps me stay within the realm of frugality.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year.  Do not feed the beast (COMMERCIALISM).  My mother always says, "If you can't eat it or wear it, what's the point?"

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I want to thank all those who gave me some great jar recipes and websites. I appreciate it. I will definately be using some of them. 

I have always tried to give something to each person in my family something for Christmas even if I have been completely broke.  I don't do this because I expect gifts in return. I actually just enjoy watching them open their gifts.  I don't think they understand this concept because they act funny if they didn't get me something in return.  Giving is my Christmas fun. 

My sister asked me the other day what I wanted for Christmas.  She is more broke than I am, but she too likes to give so I told her toilet paper.  She laughed and asked, " Are you joking?". I said that toilet paper is a necessity that I have to have and it doesn't spoil and size or color don't matter.  She looked at me funny and said okay. I have always been the weird one in the family. 

One year I asked for shampoo/conditioner, towels, garbage bags.  I have all the knicknacks that I will ever need so I ask for household products.  I love it even though it may be a little weird.  One year, as a special treat for me, my mother bought me 2 ribeyes.  Nothing says Christmas like red meat. (HA HA HA)

Enjoy the holidays and don't get caught up in the hype.  Remember family is more important than material things.  Give the gift of time if you are short on cash.  I'd rather spend time with the family than have a bunch of dust catchers.

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This year I am preparing food gifts for my family.  I am planning on mixes in a jar.  My sister gave me 8 mayonaisse jars, that I have cleaned real well and I plan to use them.

I was given as a gift recently of 10 pounds of brown sugar, so I would be appreciative if someone had a great recipe for a jar mix that included brown sugar as an ingredient.

I also plan on doing a family portrait for my mother of all of her grandchildren. I think she will love it.

What are some other good ideas for low effort crafts or edibles?  Christmas will be tight this year as I will have to buy a new mattress.  I can't keep putting it off.  My back is starting to kill me.

Thanks for any input you can give.

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