In need please read! ideas for a mircle!? in the state of michigan?

One of my most treasured items is a scrap of paper that my father gave me for no reason, he had written "even though we seldom agree I want you to know I love you." It was at a very difficult time in my life and I will treasure it forever. I come from a family that never really shared what we felt. It was very special. Maybe you could write each of you children a letter telling them how special they are to you and why. I know it would have touched my heart. Never think your children already know how you feel. Tell them OFTEN!

Merry Christams, Remember, Gifts are not the meaning of Christmas. Jesus is.

praying for you

*mom*

How about being grateful for the fact that you all have your health, you all have each other. You have a meal to share. You have a healthy grandchild. This is the meaning of Christmas. It is suppose to be about the celebration of the birth of Jesus. So be grateful that he was born to die for our sins. And because of this we all have the opportunity to be forgiven and die and enter into heaven. I have not celebrated a Christmas with gifts in 5years. My children are 25, 18, 14, 12. It happens. So concentrate on what you do have and the blessings and less on what you want. Some people do not have a house or a family or a meal or their health. I am a single mom with a 2 college degress and no husband. Life is life and it sucks when it happens to you. However we need to be more greatful for what we have. God bless****

Have each person make their gifts. There are a lot of websites around that have nice projects that can be made from recycled materials. For instance, an old picture frame can be altered by adding bits of colored paper, beads, shells, etc. Old clothing can be made into pillows and quilts. You could make coupons to be used during the upcoming year......for babysitting, a batch of homemade cookies, a car wash and wax, a day without chores... just about anything. One year, I was in the same situation....no money for gifts. I made gift certificates on my computer for my older children with children of their own. The gift certificate was for one night of babysitting a month for a year. This gave the kids a break from their kids one night a month.

Your kids are all old enough to understand why they will not be getting presents. I know that doesn't make it any easier though. You could try different churches for help. If you cant find any help, try to make Christmas fun for every one by playing family games. If Michigan had snow you could all go out and make igloos and such. Since there is no snow right now every one go out and play tag or something. Find your creative side use every day household items to make cards and ornaments. Good luck, I know its hard, I have been there, only my kids were 4, 5, and 6 at the time.

Have you tried contacting a local Church? I know where I live they usually "adopt" some families to help out during the holidays, maybe they could help you also. Just try to remember the meaning of Christmas during this time, I"m sorry you are having a hard time this year.