apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

My extended family agreed not to try and get together this year. One sibling has had a cut in hours at work, another is retired and has health issues, and one has two kids in college. I had a flooded basement, which resulted in a lot of unanticipated expenditures not covered by insurance.

We're all economizing and staying home to cut expenses. We've cut back dramatically on gift giving. It's a rough year and we all understand.

I'm in a similar situation as Aldyth. My family is separated by hundreds of miles (I'm the farthest), and traveling just plain costs too much. We also have decided not to get each other gifts this year (except for the little ones, of course!). It sounds depressing, but we're all okay with it. In fact, I think we all feel a bit better for not spending all that money that in the end feels so flamboyant and pointless. And I'm sure we'll all be more inspired to make donations to help those who actually need it.

No, I won't be. I live in Eastern Finland, and my whole family is in Canada. Thanks to Skype and webcams though, we'll be still sharing the holidays without breaking the bank. And it will be so much more precious when I go home for Christmas next year. :)

I'm doing way too much traveling, I wish I would be home in my own bed!

We are all going diving in Cozumel!

We're going to Atlanta for 10 days for Christmas with family, and my dad's 80th birthday.