Scratch-offs etc

I am truly beginning to think that Thanksgiving is the most overlooked holiday as people are so busy with Christmas stuff, BLACK FRIDAYS, etc.  I did not want to fall prey to that but I have still found myself focusing more on Christmas than Thanksgiving.

I had to make a list of Christmas stuff to buy, make and do (and keep it on the cheap side) since I have not done Christmas (tree etc) in a very, very long time and have no ornaments etc.  I probably would have just put up my nativity as I always do and put the presents under it BUT with Waylon's divorce over and having Roo here, I want to make Christmas special for them both.  I have more scratch-offs than things left to do.

Scratch-offs 
Purchase Christmas tree - bought a brand new 7' tree at a garage sale. I prefer a real tree but mom, Waylon and Roo all have severe allergies, so an artifical tree it is.
Make Christmas ornaments (see pics in previous blog)- used cardstock, flannel, glue, paint and twine - already had on hand
Purchase Christmas tree lights - several strands at a garage sale
Make 4 quilts for Christmas presents - already had flannel and batting, just needed some thread, which I got  at a garage sale
Purchase/make presents for family - decided on family gifts for my nieces and their families. Ordering pecans for both families, with Mom, Waylon and I are splitting the costs
Make Christmas stockings for mom, Waylon, Roo and me with material already on hand

Not counting mom and Waylon's gift (already had Roo's), Christmas came in under $50.  Not too bad and I had a lot of fun making the ornaments and stockings.

To do for Thanksgiving
Veggies and whipping cream for Thanksgiving (very last minute purchase)
Mail Kyra's quilt
Clean carpets
Dust

To do for Christmas
Pickup Black Pepper ham from Miillers in Llano
Dust
Veggies and whipping cream for Christmas (very last minute purchase)
Fruit for stockings

Roo comes today and does not go home until the Monday after Thanksgiving only to return on Thursday for his 1st weekend of the month visit.  Although I will be tired, I am so looking forward to having Roo for almost 3 weeks. Having Roo for 3 weeks PLUS working longer hours is WHY I have been working on getting prepared for Christmas prior to Thanksgiving.  Now I can enjoy Roo and not sweat the Christmas stuff.

We are celebrating Christmas on the 17th as that is when Waylon has Roo for Christmas. 

While I do not like the commercialism of Christmas, I do want to see the joy on Roo's face and have the opportunity to share Jesus with him through this season.  I want him to understand that Christmas is not just stuff, but what is in a person's heart.  Although he is only 2, now is the time to start teaching him that it is better to give than to receive.

Thanksgiving, here I come!