Dear Editor,I grew up in the 40s and 50s when life was not so complicated and affluent. The credit card that would change the mindset and lifestyle of all humanity was just around the corner. The “I want it now” generation was born. With hard times once again upon society, we have to scale back and think about our budgets.Drawing from my childhood experiences, listed below are ideas to keep the “merry” in Christmas, and rediscover the free and simple things in life that can keep you smiling.1. Cut down on your Christmas card list. Hand-deliver cards to those closest to you. Recycle and make your own cards. This is a tradition your children can be involved in.2. Host a neighborhood cookie exchange. Everyone brings 2-dozen cookies and takes 2-dozen home.3. Make homemade ornaments and remember to sign and date them. The children love this, and when they’re grown will reminisce over happy times as a child.4. Have your children sort through their toys and donate some to a local orphanage or organization for the less fortunate. Take the children to the orphanage. This could be a life-changing experience for them.5. Hand-make some gifts. There were many years that it was customary for parents to make their children’s gifts. Even today these are my most cherished.6. Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen.7. Take your children on a sledding outing.8. Build a snowman or an igloo together as a family. Have a snowball fight.9. Get a group together and go caroling in your neighborhood or nursing home.10. Inform your children you’re going to scale back on presents and get their ideas on how to make it work for everyone. It might surprise you with what they come up with.11. Decorate your home with something you created out of recyclables. You’ll be doing the environment a favor and have a conversation piece to proudly display.12. Have the children make bird feeders. All you need is string, pinecones, peanut butter and birdseed.13. Buy gift cards from the local fast food restaurants, and hand them out to the homeless.14. Invite someone who will be alone to your home for Christmas.Hardships always bring change. Scaling back to a simpler way of life allows you to spend more time with family and friends.Lupie RileyCalhan
