Guest Blogger: Katie Fleck

We've decided to shake things up a bit here at Larger Families. Just in time for the holidays, we've asked mothers of large families who aren't part of our group to chime in with their thoughts. I'm proud to introduce our first guest blogger, Katie Fleck. Katie can be found over at Ramblings of a SAHM. She is mom to five kids. Enjoy!

Holidays are the perfect time to celebrate large families. The more the merrier, I always say! To me it's not a true holiday celebration unless there are grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, parents, and siblings everywhere. A party must be fifteen or more people, otherwise it's just a meal.

However some may see a downside to having a larger family during this time of the year. There are more presents to buy which means more money to spend. And to those people who think that, I say you are missing the true meaning of the holiday season. It's about being with friends and family, not about the stuff. In fact every year I say, "Less stuff! More visiting!"

It's the simple math of it all. We have 5 children. The only 5 grandchildren on both sides of the family. With 8 aunts and uncles. And a set of great grandparents. If everyone bought the kids only one gift each, I'd have to find space for at least 50 new toys, games, and clothing items. And that's before Santa brings one single thing! "Less stuff! More visiting!"

I also try to make the season about "doing." Not only are most of these activities free or inexpensive, it's quality time together. We decorate the tree and house, make Christmas cards, see a local production of the Nutcracker, visit Santa Claus, make a gingerbread house, drive around to see decorated homes, drink lots of hot chocolate, and donate to those less fortunate than us. It can get hectic for me trying to coordinate all that while keeping up with the house and the kids' school and activities, but in the end seeing their smiling faces over a cup of hot chocolate with a candy cane as a stir stick is worth it.

So this year when we drive for an insane total of over 1500 miles in less than a week to visit our friends and family, it's not to receive or even give "stuff." It's to be together with our loved ones. And maybe to eat some good food too.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Katie Fleck is a stay at home mom of five, Zach (9 years), Emily and Ally (8 year old identical twins), Kyle (5 years), and Kelly (4 years old). On a quest for a self cleaning house and 27 hour days, she writes at Ramblings of a SAHM