A REAL Christmas list is a list of what you want - for others. Get everyone (yes, even your tough little cookies) to make a list of what they want to buy or make for the people they put on their list.
Help your kids figure out how much money they'll need to earn to buy gifts and/or supplies, and give them a list of jobs that they can do with how much each job is worth written beside it (extra jobs get done after chores, restitutions, etc!).
Serious win-win here: your kids learn the value of giving, thinking of others, and hard work; and your house gets cleaned!! YES!
Friends & Family Supporting Awesome Parents
Tell Mom and Dad that you are coming over to stay with the kids tonight after they (the kids, not the parents) are in bed so they (the parents, not the kids) can go out and do some Christmas shopping (or take a drive and see the lights).
Grab a good book, settle in for the evening, and tell the parents to take their time (and NOT to go grocery shopping - too unexciting)!
