This is the first year I can honestly say I’m both excited and sad for the holidays to be over. Can I get a Bah-Humbug!?!
Just kidding.
Sorta.
I’m not going to lie, this year the “materialistic” aspect of Christmas is the one part of the holiday season I didn’t quite enjoy. Not because I don’t love my family and friends, but I think the hustle and bustle of trying to find that perfect gift for everyone on our list… we stress out unnecessarily and the true meaning of Christmas gets lost.
I stepped into the mall earlier and I felt a bit of a sadness rush over me. Seeing the super long lines at the electronic stores, the beauty shops, the department stores… with an even longer face on the men and women making the purchases made me realize that as much as we say “its not about the presents underneath the tree”, we live in a world that deems Christmas a sad one if there aren’t extremely expensive presents underneath the tree for everyone. I don’t know why I felt so strongly about it this year than I have in year’s past but I was so bothered by this, I went back into my car and wrote on a piece of paper that at this time next year I will have committed to some drastically tangible changes that will ensure the spirit of Christmas is not tainted by the materialistic plague that takes over when we forget what Christmas is really about.
To me, the spirit of Christmas is the spirit of giving. Giving time. Giving love. The spirit of good fortune for all of those around us. A time to reminisce on age old traditions and to look forward to new ones with our families…..
It’s about…
Enjoying roasted marshmallows around the fire with loved ones….
Or keeping silly traditions of baking cookies….
For “Santa”
…who in our home happens to look a lot like this person:
Cause I have no shame… Wendy’s the name and the cookie eating business is my game.
And when I’m not spitting’ those “fire” Christmas rhymes you can find me sporting the latest ugly sweater I’ve decorated:
‘cuz everyone knows an ugly sweater is a Christmas staple… and Christmas in our home is all about the traditions, fam.
As yes, even traditions like mistletoe booths. Which I don’t think are actual traditions, but I love mistletoe so much I figured I’d toss that one in here just for good measure. hehe
But for sure, one of my absolute favorite things about Christmas is Christmastime in the city. Walking up and down the decorated streets, shops, and sidewalks gives me a warm feeling. I don’t think anything can top this for me.
Except of course…
Family. Nothing else really matters when you think about it: You don’t really care or remember how good last year’s Christmas dinner was. I bet whatever “amazing” gift you got last year wrapped in a box couldn’t be as memorable or as amazing as the memories you created with all those around you. No..
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: The presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
And while the presents aspect isn’t my particular favorite of the season…. Christmastime is the season of giving. I suppose if gifts must be involved… I would only ask that in your giving you consider the reasoning behind the gift you give those you love. Don’t just buy your child the gifts and gadgets that “all the other kids are getting”, or don’t get your partner the gift that will help keep up with the Joneses at the office…Don’t buy things if they violate the integrity of your financial obligations and aspirations. Talk about the things that make your loved ones dream again, and from there… choose a gift that will move them in the direction of their financial and life goals. Choose a gift that keeps on giving all year long. Choose something that will have a genuine good impact on their life. That to me, is the spirit of gift giving.
Until the next time, Happy holidays!
XO