This Year Celebrate with a Gift Free Christmas

Let’s face it, this is the most stressful time of the year. Between out-of-town visitors, money worries, overeating and shopping crowds there is enough holiday “cheer” to make us go crazy.  Luckily, there’s a way out: a gift-free Christmas. It may seem counterintuitive, but in many ways a gift-free Christmas aligns with the spirit of the holidays.

The average American will spend $700 on holiday gifts and treats this year, which totals more than $465 billion in Christmas spending. Do you remember what you got for Christmas three years ago? How about two, or even last year? The truth is we tend to buy gifts just for the sake of buying them. What would your family do with an extra $1,000 not spent on gifts that won’t be used? This week we’re going to give you a few ways to implement a gift-free Christmas in your family.

Have an Amazing Dinner

Get the family together and have everyone help plan a delicious dinner. You could make something at home, or plan on going to a favorite restaurant.

Have an Exchange

This works especially well with friends or in a neighborhood. Have everyone bring a few things they don’t use anymore, lay them out on a table, and let everyone pick things they might want. Anything leftover is donated.

Sponsor a Child

Now that’s the Christmas spirit! There are millions of kids around the world in need of help, and there are few things more rewarding than helping a child get the resources and education they need to have a future. Check out savethechildren.org to find out more.

Sponsor an Animal

The World Wildlife Fund offers symbolic species adoption programs where funds will go to conservation of endangered animals. This is a great way for kids to learn about conservation and their favorite animals.

Volunteer

There are thousands of ways to volunteer your time over the holidays. Talk about ways you want to help as a family and do it.

Take a Vacation

We’re guessing your kids will be a lot more forgiving about not getting gifts if you spend Christmas in Hawaii.

Imagine the time and money you and your family would save by going gift-free. No long lines or traffic, no stressing over what to get Uncle Dan and no holiday stress. As always, feel free to give us your ideas on a gift-free Christmas, and visit us at MidwestOutdoorResorts.com or call (800) 231-0425 and we’ll be happy to help plan your Christmas vacation today. Happy exploring!