Christmas Pledge Update!

In 2008, I brought you this pledge:

The Christmas Pledge

Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to:

*Remember those people who truly need my gifts.

*Express my love in more direct ways than gifts.

*Examine my holiday activities in light of my deepest values.
*
*Be a peacemaker within my circle of friends and family.

*Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth.

From "Unplug the Christmas Machine"

I also pledge to:

~ Have a debt-free Christmas. If I can't afford it - I won't buy it!

Last year, I brought you this post! Sharing ideas on economic gift ideas and sharing with you how we were staying on budget through the gift giving season...

This year, I want to share our daughter's wish lists with you to show you how far we've come since introducing "Unplug the Christmas Machine" several years ago.

M's list:
1. Gas Money :)

2. Overcome - a movie (she wants us to have as a family)

3. Books by Jane Austen and Jane Peart

4. Any other book you think I'd like

S's list:

1. NIV Bible

2. Book - Jaguar by Roland Smith

3. Socks - white and black any length

4. Barbies (to model clothes she is making)

5. Material/Fabric (to make clothes for Barbies)

6. Gift Cards - Starbucks, Moxie Java and iTunes

When they gave me their lists, I looked for the "big ticket item." The one big thing on their list... it's not there! They both confessed that they didn't "need" anything and honestly their want list is very small. It's not that they couldn't come up with a bunch of wants but they're learning that those things don't/can't fill the void that only Jesus can!

Needless to say, I am humbled by how far we've come as a family. From spending over $1,000 on immediate family gifts to way below half that now. From charging to "make Christmas happen..." to saving and only spending Christmas money for Christmas.

God is good. He has brought us a long way. It's a good place to be and yes, all my Christmas shopping is done. I can now focus on the real important stuff - meals, story time, lights, TIME! I don't have to be the stressed out, broke (and broken) mommy and wife anymore. Like I said, it's a good place to be.