Menu Plan Monday - December 6

I hope all of you had a great weekend and are now anticipating a busy holiday season. I have not even begun to Christmas shop and probably will not do much of it at all. Every year money is getting harder to come by.

Combine that with a desire to teach our children that giving presents to people (and receiving them) at Christmas really is not in the Bible. Yes, God gave us the greatest Gift of all when He gave us a Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, the wise men gave gifts to the Christ child. But where does it state that we must give gifts to each other at Christmas?

I have been researching the Puritans in America for two years and there's something I find interesting about them. They had devout faith in the Lord, yet they did not celebrate Christmas. In fact, they thought it to be a pagan ritual that the Catholics (whom they called papists) performed.

Here's what I think about presents. I believe we're to give of ourselves each and every day - and I don't mean whip out a credit card to pay for it and then forget about it. I mean GIVE time, love, and compassion to someone else. Often the giving is to include presents of clothing, food and shelter.

I'm not boycotting Christmas - not even close! I still celebrate but I won't go in debt for it.

Speaking of food, here's my week's menu plan. Two of my children helped to plan it. You'll notice it includes many desserts. I don't know if I'll actually get all of them made but the kids can dream.

Monday

Mexican Salsa & Chips 

Taco Pizzas

Blackberry Smoothies

Tuesday

Italian Spaghetti Supper

Zucchini Provencal

Breadsticks

Green Beans

Caramel Pear Pie

Wednesday

Upside Down Meat Pie

Veggie Burgers for veggie boy, Jonathon

Macaroni Salad

Mixed Vegetables

Thursday

Pizza & Pop

Friday

Roast Beef in crock pot

Potatoes & Carrots

Blackberry Cobbler

Saturday

Oven-fried Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Corn

Very Blueberry Cake

Sunday

On Your Own

Organizing Junkie has many links for great menu plans.