This year our household is approaching Christmas a bit different. Priorities have shifted. In years past Christmas was a huge deal. Present wise that is. The kids (and us too) received so much stuff. From each other. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. We bought things just to have presents under the tree. Not this year. Not only is our budget different than years past, our mind-set is different.

Instead of buying gifts for each other, my brothers and their families, all agreed to pool our money to give to an organization. We haven't exactly decided who we're going to give to, but the money will be much more useful for someone else who needs it than stuff for ourselves. Yes, the kids will get some presents, but it'll be waaaaay scaled back, more practical and meaningful. Less stuff. More meaning.

I explained this to the kids, and I know it will be revisited again some more before Christmas. We have SO much. SO MUCH! We don't NEED anything. I know I said this in the Thanksgiving post, but it has become so apparent I think it's worth repeating. With purging throughout the last year, it has become so very clear that we can live without so much. And not miss any of it. I think they are starting to understand that there are so many kids that don't have anything and we can help them! Not just with buying them toys, but food and shelter and clothes! And isn't that what Christ followers are supposed to do?

So we're switching consumerism gears around our house this year. More focus on Christ, Advent, others rather than stuff and our wants. It has actually been freeing and humbling and what a great example to our kids to be able to live out Christ to others.