And remember, your actions speak louder than words - if you want your kids to appreciate what Christmas is really all about, the best way to do so is by setting an example for them to follow. Yes, you can make a lot of shipping companies rich by waiting until the last minute to do your shopping and then paying exorbitant rates for overnight delivery - but you shouldn't have to. The time to start preparing for Christmas is really in July. Gifts are easy to buy, wrap and put up in a closet, Christmas craft projects are easy to get underway. Keep It Simple.
Simplicity is a virtue.
Holiday celebrations don't have to be complex, and shouldn't be. If you've got a full-time job, don't give yourself another one by volunteering to bake two million cookies for the school Christmas party. Give of yourself, by all means - but don't offer to give something you don't have. Charity begins in the home, but it is not meant to end there. The gifts we most enjoy giving often are ones that go to strangers and near-strangers.