It is not in me to decorate for the holidays. I believe it is because my dad made me feel so stinking guilty about receiving gifts, spending money, etc… On Christmas morning my dad would go upstairs to his bed room while we opened up gifts…I just never felt enthused about decorating.
HOWEVER, I do make an effort, from time to time, to do something. Last year I found a bunch of stringed lights in the basement. I strung them up along the walls of our living room. I didn’t have a whole lot of money, but I brought home a 4’ pre-lighted tree. The kids loved it!
Aside from decorations, I believe it is important for kids to have family traditions. Children look forward to making holidays (or their b-day) special. You are creating memories; they will think back and say, “Those were the good old days.” Decorating the tree, stringing popcorn, hanging decorations, making decorations, singing songs around the piano, going to pick out a tree…This is what makes decorating and other holiday traditions meaningful and vital; you can make it a family activity and tradition.