A Bartering Christmas

Obviously this year Christmas is tough for us, with a new house and the cost everything that comes with it we are on a tight budget. Imagine my delight when my genius sis-in-law suggested that perhaps this year we barter for Christmas. I think it's a fabulous idea. So in exchange for them helping us with the new house projects (painting, sewing, moving, etc.) we will babysit the kiddos, so they can have some date nights (or sleep). We decided we will still do something small so we all have something to open come Christmas, but still, much easier. I only wish I could get my family on board with this idea.

Even without my family bartering, I think we did a pretty bang up job for Christmas this year, watching the sales and knowing exactly what we wanted to get each person really helped. As for Andy and I, we also have a limited budget for each other and a challenge to only fill our stockings. It's going to be a little bit difficult but I think it's going to be a lot of fun to see what we each come up with and if there will be any "cheating" involved.

Anyone else having a budget type Christmas? What are you doing?

Lame-O

Do you remember when you were a kid and it was around Christmas time (or another holiday or your birthday) and you were opening presents, digging into that pretty wrapping and finding some of the coolest things, only to reach one that wasn't so cool, like socks? Then you'd get that fake, frozen smile and say thank you, when really your eyes are saying "What the heck man? Where is the Barbie?" I know that you all know what I'm talking about, now the real question, when does that all change? When do the Barbie dolls and race cars turn into clothes and socks and other practical nonsense?

I say this because Andy and I are currently in the process of making out our Christmas lists to send to our families and I'm looking these over and thinking, really? When did I become so lame? Need an example:

Amanda's List
-Attachable book light for kindle
-The Talavera Split Ender
- Slipper Socks
- Gift Cards to Home Depot or Lowe's

Andy's List
- Sweaters size M
- Craftsman Standard Wrenches
- Big comfy socks (not slipper socks) wool/ not too itchy
- Knife from Bed Bath and Beyond registry

Seriously? We are lame. But in all honesty, it's cool because I'm probably more excited about some of these items then I was about toys when I was a little kid. Maybe I'm just boring or maybe I've grown-up and realized that practical gifts that I will use every day rather than just on Christmas morning are so much better. Oh, and just so you know, those aren't the complete lists, we really aren't that boring. I do have some fun items written down (some that I know for a fact I won't get but it's fun to dream, like a Coach purse), as does Andy but quite a few of them are just like the ones listed above and made me scratch my head.

So what do all of you want for the holidays? Are you practical or fun? Or are you like Andy and I and have a little mix of both?

Kitty & Canine Holiday Blogger Gift Exchange

Yesterday I ran across the cutest and best idea in the world:

A fellow blogger Kelly over at KJPugs and her friend Hannah at GatorTales had posted this and I couldn't resist, I signed up Pepper and Murphy right away. I totally encourage you to participate as well! It should be fun, but take a look at the rules to make sure you can participate:

1. You have to have a living, breathing pet. Unfortunately, your pet rock is awkward.
2. Each pet has to be signed up individually, so if you have 3 pets – fill the form out 3 times! (It’s that easy.)
3. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, November 24th
4. Deadline to send your gift to a cute little pet is Friday, December 10th
5. If you sign up you are promising to participate. No one likes a holiday Grinch!
6. Please keep the gift under $10 – it doesn’t cost a lot to send some love!

Read the rules? Want to participate? Then Click Here and fill out the form do it, you know you want to.

Newlywed Challenge: The Holidays

It seems like it's that time of year again, the decorations are out in stores, people are making plans and shopping lists, and I log into Weddingbee and see posts about splitting the holidays. I use to love the holidays, spending time with family and friends, tons of food and of course presents. I say use to because this year thinking about the holidays is giving me hives, because I simply have no idea what to do. Splitting the holidays seems to be a big challenge for every couple and we are no exception. It's hard, obviously, you are talking about adding  whole new sets of traditions and places to visit, which logistically and emotionally provides problems. I think as a child I had it pretty sweet, my parents had the holidays figured out to a T, actually, it was more that my parents lucked out.

My grandparents live within ten minutes of each other so for Thanksgiving we would have lunch at one and dinner at the other. For Christmas eve we would head to Grandparent S and stay from early to late afternoon, then the evening would be spent with Grandparents M. We would head off home and spend Christmas morning at our house, just my sisters and parents. It worked out super well. In a perfect world, Andy and I would be able to do something like that but this is not a perfect world and our families live 3+ hours away from each other. Add to that fact that we live 3 hours away from my family and nearly 5 hours away from Andy's family and you see that dinner here, dessert there doesn't work out too hot.  It's frustrating because I want to make everyone happy, but I also have a tiny little part of me that wants to just please me. That part of me is there because it isn't like it use to be, things have changed and it's hard to accept that. More than that I miss my family like crazy. The move has been extremely hard on me because of the time it's taken away from my family, who I am use to seeing on a regular basis. Andy knows how hard it's been on me so he's being extremely patient and kind, telling me that we could separate for Thanksgiving if I really need to see my family by then, but I'm trying to be a mature married lady and present our united front.

So what are we going to do? The answer is simple, I had no idea. So far Thanksgiving is planned out with Andy's family. More than likely we will go to my Grandma's for Christmas Eve and spend Christmas morning with my family then Christmas evening will be ours (which has been our own little tradition for the past three years), but I'm not positive. We have to do another Christmas with my other Grandparents which will be a different day, prior to Christmas Eve, since schedules aren't working in our favor for a one day all-inclusive family fest. Plus we have to do Christmas with Andy's family as well. I know that it will all work out in the end, it's just going to take some careful planning.

What about you? How are your holidays shaping up? Do you have an easy time with the splitting or are your holidays challenging as well?