No Christmas this year, suggestions

[drfuzzy]

When I was a little girl, my Aunt set up a "love" box for my brother and me.  

---

It was kind of a swapping of favors thing: I would write down some way that I would be willing to help ("I'll help you clean your room, just ask.")  - and when that task was done, it was his turn to put something in the box.  There was no real schedule, although we sort of had "at least once a week!" in our heads.  It was a joy to hand it to him at breakfast when I had thought of something useful.  I clearly remember sorting his favorite candy out of my Halloween basket and saving some to put in the box for him.  We also saved up some of our allowance sometimes, to surprise each other with a small gift - once it was a new toy car because I had broken the old one.

I'm sure you could think up all sorts of variations for such a thing, and decorating them can be a fun project.  Gifts don't have to be expensive.  You can give each other the gift of time, just like we do with a soup kitchen or Habitat for Humanity.  My brother and I have always had a great bond.  I partially blame the box.  We had a system for helping each other out, we were in control of it, we made it work.    

---

 

That is ridiculously sweet, drfuzzy. The possibilities are endless, and I love the bonding experience between you and your brother.


-----

This year is a strange one for me. I can literally barely afford to buy myself toilet paper (though my sister, other family, and friends are being amazing; between my money problems and depression, I'd literally be homeless if it weren't for them), but I'm lucky enough to have a stocked crafting studio completely at my disposal due to my failed business.  Therefore, I'm able to make just about anything. It's way more fun making things for everyone than to go to the mall or online to shop for them, IMO, so I'm savoring the holidays a little more this year because there are no expectations that I'm going to be buying things for people. Gonna do some volunteering, spend more time cooking and creating rather than shopping and wrapping, and make it a point to appreciate what I have rather than what I've lost.

King, it sounds like you guys are well on your way. Your family, from everything you've said over the months, seems amazing and supportive. No matter what you do, I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Last year I asked everyone who was planning on giving me gifts to just give me sweaters, blankets, flashlights, etc. to keep in the trunk of my car to hand to the local homeless folks when they seem to need them, but this year, since I had to sell my car, I'm not sure what I'm going to ask for. It has to be something similar to last year, but... well... without the car, it's sort of pointless. I can't keep a ton of blankets and stuff in my bicycle basket...

... but I digress. You guys could start some kind of movement to help out the homeless like that, maybe? Like, won't you guys be getting gifts from people besides your immediate family? Maybe you could ask all of those people to donate to a good cause instead of giving a gift, or something like that. Sorry if it's already been mentioned. I do love everyone's suggestions so far.

Oh dear, Empress.  I'm sending good wishes your way!  It does sound like you are having fun making gifts - kudos!  
I feel for you.  I went for 26 months without full-time employment very recently.  Yes, without the kindness of friends, I would have been homeless.  It really makes you appreciate still having . . . what you have, doesn't it?  I hope your fortunes improve very soon!