Got No Dough - Saving Money in Slim Times

This year I had to get creative because one entire side of my family going through a really difficult financial hardship.  There was a lot of despair regarding there being a lack of Christmas and so I was determined to do something to raise everyone’s spirits.

I needed an idea that wouldn’t cost a lot, would bring us all together as a family and would perhaps even result in some Christmas gifts that they could give away.  Then the idea hit me - we would have a family baking party.

We plan on doing this tomorrow and have decided to bake Gingerbread Men, Christmas Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies and Lemon Cookies.   To ease the burden for everyone, each household will bring something simple like a bag of sugar or a bag of flour.  Each person will have a task in the mixing process, the baking process, the decorating process and the packaging process.  Along the way, we will share a great afternoon together as a family, which is a nice change from our business at our jobs and lives.  In the end, each person will have a sense of accomplishment and a gift to give to another family member or friend.

I encourage everyone to spend a little extra special time doing things with their families.  In the rush of our everyday lives, the ones closest to us are neglected along with our relationships.  Use this time to nurture each other and enjoy the time together.