But mostly feeling like. . .
Driving home this morning I listened to what felt like ten minutes of commercials on the
Christmas station. With each commercial I found myself getting a little more upset. They all had one message--- you can't have a good Christmas unless you spend MONEY!!! Ba humbug to that. I'm done moping and whining to Dylan about feeling guilty about not being able to do a lot for Christmas this year. I Am DONE!!! I don't care what the commercials say, I don't need to spend to find happiness on Christmas. All I need is to know that my little family will be together, that we will enjoy each other's company and play ALL day.
All I need to know is that we have food to eat, clothes to wear, a house to live in and most importantly the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I truly want to feel the Christmas spirit-- that magic, the miracles. I guess that's what I'm looking for, miracles. Not just for me and my family-- for all of us. What a year we have all been through. We need a little Christmas right this very minute. We need a little Christmas now.
14 comments:
amen.
I feel like it has been so long since I've heard from you. I agree that just being with family is the most important! Have a great Christmas!
You know that it is your family that makes a great holiday so ignore those commercials. Just some tips I have... I get my kids clothes from the thrift store and wrap them up. they don't know the difference. It has a tag on it. I wrap EVERYTHING individually so it looks like a lot of gifts. For example, if I buy Andi a book set, I take the books out and wrap them up individually instead of wrapping the set as it is. I have a budgest of $150.00 this year for my ENTIRE family and come Christmas morning, it will LOOK like they all hit the jackpot and no ones knows Santa is poor. I also by lots of little gifts like pensils and cool erasers for school, I fill their stocking with candy and let them eat ALL of it on Christmas morning. I can't get away with this forever, but for now, it works. :)
You are in the minority and you should be proud of yourself. Most Americans would just go put it all on a credit card and figure out how to pay for it later. GOOD FOR YOU for taking the higher road - it's not about "stuff" anyway, like you said.
Amen, lady.
We spent $70 on Ryan for Christmas. And we decided that he didn't need both toys that that bought, so we're saving one of the big trucks to give to him on his birthday ... next August. lol.
We aren't buying each other gifts this year ... we're pinching every penny to pay Kenneth Maun our real estate taxes. Friggin' punk.
However, this will be our 7th Christmas together and we've NEVER bought each other a Christmas gift. Even when we were in 'times of plenty'. We'd just go shopping together and buy something we both wanted ... together. That's a tradition we'll keep ... we just won't be going shopping together this year. Maybe we'll go out to dinner with our free gift cards from Discover. lol.
Love you, Sarah!! And you are, indeed, in very good company ... and definitely not alone, lol.
xoxo.
J
True that. This holiday season has taken on a little more of the REAL reason behind Christmas for us. Even within our extended family we decided to scale back. We aren't drawing names among the adults and we are ONLY buying for the children in our family. I have really been glad because I usually feel like I am spending the entire month in pursuit of the PREFECT gift for all those other people. This season I have been able to slow down a little and do the things that are more meaningful. We even did a service project last weekend with some other families and I think that has been our favorite thing about this Christmas so far. I totally agree with you though Sarah. All the commericialism makes me wanne scream "BAH-HUMBUG".
ditto!
one year, my grandfather died then jason ended up in the hospital and was released about 5 days before christmas and we didn't get around to shopping for the kids. they didn't notice. so every year since then, we've had lean a christmas because ultimatly it doesn't matter to the kids. all they remember are the family traditions and togetherness.
plus it's so much easier on me to not have to stress about who's getting what and how much it's all going to cost. santa brings one gift and the stockings and mom and dad give clothes.
Very well said!!! It can be really hard to keep the true Christmas Spirit when it is flooded with commercialism and pressure. Enjoy the time with your family!
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You know what my favorite part about Christmas is? Making stuff for people. I just like the chance to create things to give to others. Even if it's just food. The stuff I buy for Christmas never seems as great as the stuff that I get to make... and yes, family is my other favorite part. Chris works so much that just the thought of having him home for a whole 4 days in a row is the best Christmas present I could ever get :)
I have always been the Scale-back kind of Girl. Steve and I never get each other presents. Last year he surprised me with my very first one! And I felt guilty about it. if we need/want stuff we just get it. We don't have to add that pressure to Christmas. however.... this year was the first year P really had a WISH LIST and I feel sad not getting him his every dream when technically I could b/c they are not very expensive things. But yeah there is too much pressure to get everyone the right gift.
Coming from a family of 8 kids who lived on a school teacher's paycheck, my husband says every year, "Let's just get the kids socks and underwear-that's what I always got and I didn't care." My parents on the other hand, splurged big time every Christmas so I'm always having to remind myself that it's NOT about how much is under the tree!
I so agree! I have been doing a lot Christmas gifts that have way more sentimental value than dollar value and I think they will be received a whole lot better anyway. I found myself wanting the same thing from others. I don't want someone to send me some kitchen gadget or family game - just give me something meaningful. Still want to get together tomorrow for the game? If you have the game on, we'll bring the snacks - except for meatballs - you have to make your homemade meatballs.
Seriously. Great post. And, Sarah, Merry Christmas!
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