Not just Gifts from Santa!
A job for their mom or dad. Money for the heating bill. Food or a place to live. Maybe gloves or boots. More and more, children are asking for less for themselves and more for mom and dad. With unemployment stubbornly high, more homes in foreclosure and the economic outlook dim, children are becoming more aware of their parents plight. A reminder that kids are listening and they’re understanding the situation mom and dad are in financially.
We were recalling that when we were kids we had no clue what financial situation our parents were in. They never talked about it in front of us, but it seems that's not the case today. Do your kids know what's going on with your situation? Do you talk about finances in front of the kids? Read the full story
Just One Gift
We talked with a woman today who told us how her parents taught them about the true meaning of Christmas. On Christmas morning, she and her siblings would wake up to a Christmas tree surrounded by tons of gifts! The kids would tear into them all excited at the amount and different kinds of gifts they each received. And after the fray, mom and dad would then say, "Now. Pick one gift. Only one. The rest we are giving to a family in need." Wow! She said it was shocking at first, but when they saw the joy of the family in need receiving the gifts, well, it all made sense. The feeling of joy and love were gifts that you couldn't purchase, and they were gifts that weren't fleeting. They remained.
A Special Family Recipe from Amy!
McTwiggan Meat Dip
1 pound beef
1/2 c chopped onion
8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/4 c ketchup
3/4 t oregano
8 ounces cream cheese
1/3 c parmesan cheese
Brown beef and onion, drain grease
Add tomato sauce, ketchup and oregano; simmer 10 minutes.
Stir in cheeses until melted.
Serve hot with chips or crackers.