Madoline and I have decided that in light of the economy, we’re not going to get a Christmas tree or presents for each other this year. Since being on our own, we have passed many a Christmas without a tree and found that we can enjoy it just as much. Now that we’re grown up, we can feel Christmassy without having a tree, and not have to deal with taking it down and recycling, something we’ve always hated to do since we were kids, when the Holidays are over.

Our Reasons for Not Getting a Tree

• A Christmas Tree is a luxury, not a necessity.
• No friends or family coming over to visit because we live thousands of miles from everyone.
• We really don’t like taking the tree down after the Holidays (one year, we left it up until April.)
• We would rather spend the money on something that lasts longer.
• We can still make Christmas special in our own way.

How We’re Making Christmas Special Without a Tree and Presents

• We can still put ornaments and decorations up around the house to make it festive.
• We might use the money saved from buying a tree on some new DVDs that we can watch together on Christmas Day (movies are one of our passions).
• We’ll make presents (toys) and bake biscuits for our dogs.
• We’ll spend the whole day together – hanging out with our dogs, watching movies and playing games.
• We’ll listen to and sing Christmas music.
• We’ll call our grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins and talk to them on the phone.
• We’ll still have a special dinner – probably turkey or something else really good.

I do love having a Christmas tree in the house. I love the smell. I love turning the lights, mobile carousel ornaments and music on every morning. I love wrapping presents. I love sneaking them under the tree and making Madoline guess what they are. I love everything about Christmas.

But not having this every year will make other Christmases when we do have these things all the more special. And the peace of mind of having a little extra money in the bank in the coming months outweighs the few weeks of luxury of having a tree and presents. We’re grown up now and don’t need these things to make Christmas special. That’s not to say we won’t do it all the first year we feel the coast is clear.

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