I wish I could cancel Christmas....

I love Christmas and I also hate it... I love spending time with the family and I love the excitement on my childrens faces when they see that Santa remembered they were on the nice list. What I hate is the fact that the day after Christmas I have a house full of new toys that have been thrown to the wayside or are already broken. I was very tempted to cancel Christmas this year, but I knew there was no way that I could ever do that. It is such a family oriented time that I am pretty sure no one else would follow my decree. So I decided to do a limited Christmas this year. We will be traveling this year to Indiana to do our family stuff so this is the first year Christmas day will be celebrated at our house. I have decided that each kid will only be getting one gift from Santa and they will also get stockings. I feel that I want them to understand that it is not about what they get, but about spending time with their loved ones and celebrating family. I am hoping that they get my message. We'll see... Now here comes the hard part. I always find things I want to buy them. So far I have done well with my self control. Only 12 more shopping days to keep myself in control and I will have defeated my shopping demons. It is really tough when Lily tells me she needs to have the new doll she just saw on TV or listening to Cameron who is positive Santa is going to bring him a Nintendo DS. Santa already decided no on that one. With the way the economy is I am really hoping the kids appreciate that they got anything for Christmas this year and are thankful for their presents.