Christmas 2009

Ba Hum Bug!!!

I already detest this holiday and Christmas is still 5 days away! My DH in his brilliance had decided that we're going to spend the holidays with his family, without consulting me!! I'm not sure if I'm being completely unreasonable, maybe DH & our 4 kids will have a good time, but I feel like my holiday has been ruined...

We are not a wealthy family, we get by and live a comfortable lifestyle, but it's never been lavish. Every year we've spent Christmas pretty much on our own, accept when Grandma/pa Mackey were alive, we drove 45 minutes to their home for dinner, no big deal. Our money was available to spend on the kids and we get them one large item, which was usually an electronic ~ PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii, DVD Player, Video Camera, etc...

THIS YEAR, after saving $200 for the ferry cost to get back and forth to Vancouver (not to mention the cost of fuel in our vehicle) plus the fact we had to buy gift for two persons in the family, cause this is THEIR tradition (chose names from hat) that's another $200 out of the ole budget. Plus we can't forget about the alcohol, our contribution is TWO cases of beer, even though I don't really drink. Nor do I support the idea of people getting hammered around my four children!!

This is the one time of year that I look forward to dumping large sums of money on my kids, now I have $450+ missing from an already tight budget and we were not able to afford to buy the kids any electronics this year. Not the mention the fact that I can't afford to purchase a birthday gift for DH (Dec 24th) nor are either of us able to purchase gifts for each other for Christmas because we have no money left! I know when it comes to time for Heath to open his presents and he has NONE from his wife, I'm gonna feel even worse! Lets drag this wonder feeling out for another two God damn days, can't wait!!

Lets be realistic about these visits anyhow, everytime we've spent the money to take the trip for a few days of seeing the family, I'm babysitting the kids while everyone else is drinking their faces off and hungover the next day ~ big freaking deal, I'd rather stay home!! Next year I'm planning a trip ANYWHERE to avoid this bullshit, who needs it?!