Holiday shopping can be stressful. If you have a large family, the number of gifts needed can be overwhelming. This means more shopping and more expenses. Most Montanans struggle when it comes to time and money.
Outdoor sports gifts are usually pricey and require even more planning and research. As families grow, the shopping and bills just get larger.
In the Montana Grant Family, we chose to change how we give gifts and who we give them to. Kids get lots of goodies. That is just the way it is, but adults do not need as much.
We created a Gift Giving Lottery. Some circles call this a Secret Santa. We adapted it to meet our growing family needs. Each season we throw the names in a hat and pick who we plan to give gifts to. Every year it changes.
It’s like learning how to shoot at a covey, flock, or herd of wild game. You need to pick just one at a time. Once you learn to do this, the limits begin to be fulfilled. Focusing on just one target makes us more accurate and successful.
When you only need to shop for one, the creativity and fun comes out. You can put a price ceiling on gifts. $50, $100, or… Your choice.
My annual plan is to make a craft something, take ideas on what they want or need, and shop accordingly. The gifts suddenly become more personal and unique. I even bake favorite pastries or goodies that my pick loves. Since everyone is on board, no one feels left out or jealous. The kids know which gifts Big Poppa gives. I always wrap them in old newspapers.
We still make stockings for each kid. This usually includes snacks, cosmetics, fun things that fit into a stocking, and a big Fat Orange! We continue the family traditions from our past. The stockings have been used for decades. Even the pups and pets get a stocking. That’s just how Santa rolls.
The best part about Christmas is in the giving.
Montana Grant
