This is going to be our First Christmas Living In Our Motorhome! Its going to seem weird as we don’t have room for a Christmas Tree, nor have I thought about presents, food, location, space of our bus or anything to do with Christmas!
Our Very First Christmas Without A House
This is so going to be a new experience for our family! We usually have all of our shopping done by now, but I havent even thought about buying gifts. To be honest, I am not sure what I can buy for our four boys, as we have limited amount of space 🙂
Should I buy clothes, or shoes, or books, or do the simple gift card idea?
Christmas 2010 – Glasshouse Mountains.
Every year I seem to get more later and later with buying gifts. Normally I start looking in June, and lay-by a few items, or even buy a few items and hide them! This year I havent even been to the shops to look for any ideas on what to buy….I have no idea what our boys even want this year. At least our family will have one amazing gift this year…our oldest boy gets four weeks off over the Christmas Break. For that I am so very grateful. I don’t need any gifts this year, all I ask for is my family to be together.
Our Christmas Location
All of these presents were for our boys – Christmas 2010
This Year we are going to be travelling to David’s Family for Xmas. So yep we will be on the Road – but not in the bus! I really (Really Really Really) want to have Christmas in our Motorhome as it’s the first year that we don’t have a home. All of our Christmas Decorations are in our shipping container…so we cant even decorate the bus!
The First time we had a train and gingerbread House for Xmas! Our boys made it together 🙂
But Davids parents need to see their Grandchildren for the holidays so we will be back to Bundaberg. What I was thinking of doing….was having an early Christmas in our Motorhome, and then having the family dinner/lunch/gifts on the 25th of December with Family. Maybe instead of Christmas in July we could have two Christmas (days) in December? Do you think that is a weird thing to do?
Family and Christmas Dont Mix
 Simple Xmas Lunch – Cheers!
Why do we get such a huge build up leading to the holidays….we get so excited, and buy far too many gifts, eat far too much food, and then get over excited about the actual day! It’s a bit like thinking about going somewhere, building up the excitement, getting crazy with the idea of what it’s going to be like – and then the day arrives….we do the Christmas Lunch, We do the Xmas gifts and then we try to all get along (without melting in the heat of the day)….why do we put ourselves through that every year?
 The Best Type of gifts…handmade!!
I reckon that Family and Christmas Dont Mix….maybe its just our crazy family.
Or maybe I expect too much from my boys. Maybe I expect too much from me?
I guess it’s a bit too much excitement in one day, too much yummy food (that we don’t normally eat) and far too many presents to look out – yet every year we usually have at least a few tears, a few too many “Discussions” ….or maybe it’s because our kids get up at the crack of dawn and by the time the afternoon arrives, they are too tired?
 Our Three Boys with a gift from there older brother!
A Few Great Ideas For Xmas
This year is going to be a good Xmas. Why? Because I said so….well actually because I have told my boys that is all I want from Santa – is to have a really good day. A day filled with laughter, hugs, joy, sharing, caring and lots of love.
Is that too much to ask for?
So if they don’t get the huge amount of gifts that they normally get – then tuff cheese! (or as I like to say quietly Tough-Titty!)
 Our Second Son – Christmas 2010
It’s not because we don’t want to give them a huge amount of toys – it’s because for the very first time I want our kids to realise what is really important about the day of Christmas. I want them to be grateful for all that they have.
 Gosh I bet our older son will be changed this Christmas!
I would also like to give this year.
I am not sure how I want to give, or who to, or even how, but I know that this year I want to make Xmas more about the “Feeling” of the day with sharing, caring, and saying thank you to all that we have.
After all we do live in the lucky country….we are so blessed to be living in Australia, and we are so blessed to have all that we really need – each other.
What Are You Doing This Christmas?
Cheers
Lisa
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This is part of a group writing project on the subject of Christmas. If you would like to read more please follow these amazing bloggers-
Parenting Tips Online – The Story of Christmas For Kids
Dinner In Ten Minutes – Easy Christmas Cake Recipe
Parks In Sydney – Christmas In The Park
Raising Great Kids – Christmas Stocking Oranges and Socks
Weekend Getaways – Christmas Destinations
Rita Pepper Online – Christmas Past and Present
Lisas Healthy Lifestyle Challenge – Christmas Shopping List
I like your Christmas wish – and its things you can’t buy in a shop. Even better 🙂
Coming from Europe and now living in the tropics I still have to get used to Christmas in summer with 30 degrees – no chance for any Christmas feeling or traditions for me;)
The good thing – we don’t worry about presents, we enjoy the company of good friends and that’s it. No big plans, as the next day we will have to work again. That’s the downturn of living in a holiday destination 😉
Renee@WeekendGetawayIdeas recently posted..Couples Holidays
Hi Renee,
gosh it would be very different for you – going from a Europe xmas to a hot xmas 🙂
I like your idea of not worrying about gifts for xmas, just spending quality time with good friends…that sounds like the best type of xmas.
Cheers
Lisa
I am the same this year, I haven’t even thought about Christmas. I have a lot of family coming to stay for Christmas this year so I have to be prepared not only with gifts but the food for the day. In town, they have a place where older people with no family can get together and have lunch and hubby and I have often thought about going in for Christmas day to volunteer and talk to the old people. Its so sad they don’t have family to celebrate the day with. Maybe next year.
Jackie Stenhouse recently posted..Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies
Hi Jackie,
this year has gone by far too quickly 🙂 Do you know where in town that they have lunch for the elderly? Would love to be a volunteer on the day 😉
All the best with having xmas at your house, it would be fantastic to spend time with your loved ones.
Cheers
Lisa
“A day filled with laughter, hugs, joy, sharing, caring and lots of love”
..you’ve got me Lisa – what more do you need? x
Jan Littlehales recently posted..Easy Christmas Cake Recipe – in Ten Minutes
Hi Jan,
how very true…all we do need is family filled time – nothing more!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
All too soon the boys will be spread across the state or even the country, like my family so, Just enjoy Christmas with your family.
Rita recently posted..Wildlife In Australia
Hi Rita,
Thankyou – will do!! Love that we will be spending xmas together 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
I know you will have a joyous Christmas with all the boys together.
I would give them gifts cards and a and a combined gift of a family game ! Or the follow the operation Christmas child gift guide (everything has to fit inside a standard shoebox ) with your help each child could make one of their brothers. ….along the lines of something to love, something to wear, something For school, something to play with, something special and something for personal hygiene.
Trish recently posted..Hear me Squeak and grumble
Hi Trish,
Oh I love that idea – we did the operation christmas gift box last year for a little girl!! Would love to do that for our boys, thank you for the great ideas!!
We do need family board games – that sounds like the perfect xmas gifts. We sure are lucky to be having xmas together – even our oldest one returns home!
Cheers
Lisa
I leave Christmas to the last minute every year and it always comes together. What a great Christmas present having Hayden home. I think having two Christmas celebrations in the bus and at David’s parents is a great idea. You can always get a little bit of tinsel to give the bus the Christmas feel.
Hi Kerry,
We are so grateful that our son gets to come home for xmas. Like the idea of the tinsel for xmas – it is looking like we are going to have two christmas celebrations…one in the bus, and one at Davids parents!
Cheers
Lisa
I don’t think your journey would be complete without Christmas in the motorhome. 😉 Maybe a Christmas brekkie in the motorhome? As long as you’re all together, that’s the main thing in the end.
Having to buy for teenage nieces and nephews, iTunes gift cards seem to be a hit here! x
Kellie recently posted..How to make a princess tiara birthday cake in two hours
Hi Kellie,
What a great suggestion….breaky for xmas in the bus sounds perfect.
I like your idea for gifts for teenagers 🙂 Will you come up here and go shopping with me !!
Cheers
Lisa
Hi Lisa
I’ve been away and must have missed this post at the time.
Anyway for what it’s worth I thought you might like this suggestion: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/shortstories/christmasenvelope.html as to what/how you can give back this year at Christmas.
This year Christmas will be an amazing time for you and the family in your motorhome; just think of all the new traditions you will be able to start! And just because you have always done something in a particular manner doesn’t mean that is the best way to do things.
Whatever you do I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
Cheers
Jenny J
Jenny Johnson recently posted..Our Backpackers Experience
Hi Jenny,
Thanks – will check out the link! You are so right about making new traditions and enjoying our first xmas in our Motorhome 🙂
Cheers
Lisa