How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This time of year always reminds me of the first time I watched the real "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey.

It was November 29th, 2001, and I was home with my 5 younger siblings. My parents had gone out for their anniversary dinner and left me in charge of the younger 5- ages 11 to 1 years old. They left us pizza and a movie- what could go wrong!
They left for a relaxing dinner away from 6 children while we ate yummy pizza! As I cleared up dinner and sent the kids into the living room to get the movie set-up, I decided to make some popcorn. The popcorn was done, "Ding!" And we all settled in to watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

About halfway into the movie as the 1 year old was running around the house in her diaper, the fire alarm went off. I panicked. I grabbed the 1 year old, a handful of diapers, the house phone, and told all the kids to "RUN!! GET OUTSIDE!!" We raced out the front door, the 3 year old now in tears and the 1 year old still in just a diaper...remember what month it is??? I called 911.
I told them "The house is on fire! Come quick!" Then, I called my parents. "Did you see any fire?" "No." "Did you smell any smoke?" "No." "Why did you call the fire department?" "Because the fire alarm went off!!" After a moment of silence and a long sigh, my dad sweetly said to my mom, "Get the food to go. The kids are standing out in the cold and the fire truck is on its way."

The fire truck arrives...with all the bells and whistles. At this point, our neighbor is at the house and the younger ones are staying warm in the back of his car. The firemen search the house high and low- no fire. They take down my information- "Yes, these are all my siblings. No, we weren't being stupid. We were just watching a movie!" And then tell me, "Have a goodnight!" And with that, I burst into tears!! How stressful for a 13 year old!!

My parents finally arrived home. Tears were wiped. Hugs were given. Thanks was given to the neighbor. And my parents finished their anniversary night snuggled on the couch with their 6 kids, eating cold pizza, and watching the rest of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Yes, this story will always make me laugh. However, there is a Grinch that wants to steal Christmas from you and his real name is... the credit card!! And that story isn't so funny!

How often does the count down till Christmas make you cringe?? 6 months out- you've got a plan to save. 3 months out- that plan isn't doing so hot and you are starting to panic. 2 weeks out- put it on the credit card. We will figure out how to pay for it later. Sound familiar??

The holidays are stressful enough with parties, family, Aunt Susie, and all the gifts you have to buy. The last stressor you want to add is a credit card bill as long as Santa's naughty list (and I hear that keeps getting longer!)

 

The best way to avoid the evil Grinch of Christmas is to start saving on December 26th! Begin putting away money every month that is just for Christmas presents. That way, when December rolls around, you can freely give gifts without acting like the ol' Grinch himself!

Dave and I have a coin jar that we fill up over the year. This is our "Christmas" jar. Every penny that goes into this jar will be cashed in for Christmas at the end of the year. This year, our jar brought in $200 worth of Christmas gifts! Not too bad for a year of loose change!

Don't let the Grinch of the credit card companies steal your joy this Christmas season. The true meaning of Christmas isn't in the presents but in the act of giving in love. Don't be carried away by the commercials and newest gadgets. Time on the couch, eating cold pizza with your loved ones may be the best present they get this year!!

Oh, and the fire alarm?? It was set off by a spider and its cobweb waving in front of the sensor. Go figure!!