I want to add to my previous post. Those were fun and exciting Christmases, but the quieter Christmases are more meaningful for our family. One year I decided that we would have a homespun Christmas. The kids were young, elementary school age. They moaned and groaned, but 1-on-1 we chose gifts for them to make for each other, and we bought the supplies, and then with my help the gifts were lovingly crafted and wrapped. The joy the kids felt when the recipient opened the gift and responded with "You made this?" was a feeling they cherished then and still do all these years later. The gifts they gave meant much more than the ones they received.
Last one, I promise:
One year we had 11 teenage girls living with us (we worked for a private school). They were inner-city, homeless, orphans, etc. We were given a Christmas budget and told to provide a formal traditional Christmas dinner and presents for the girls. Real presents - no underwear or gift cards allowed. Earlier I had learned of their favorites - magazine, perfume, author, movie, etc., and dh & I had been secretly shopping. I bought felt stockings and paints to decorate the stockings, and I told them they had to do it so Santa could fill them while they were at school. They argued that Santa had never come before, they had never received presents before, etc., but I insisted and the stockings were decorated and hung. When the girls got home from the last day of school before leaving for break, Santa had come! The stockings were full and there were all sorts of presents under the tree! They were amazed that Santa knew just what they wanted - favorite perfume, book by favorite author, a movie or CD, current issue of their favorite magazine, a stuffed animal, candies, nuts. It was a magical day, one that dh & I will never forget.