Today is December 5, and already, looking ahead, it seems that Christmas Day will be here before I can blink. But I am also looking back, over the years that our children were young, and what Christmas traditions we began for our family, what worked and what didn't and which ones mattered to my children.

We tried to keep it simple and affordable.  We often bought used toys at yard sales. Children do not care if a toy has been played with by another child. In fact, if I got it at a garage sale and it was still in good shape, that meant it was durable. Not a small consideration when buying something for Andrew who played hard and long, with 110 percent intensity.