It's the Holidays!!!!!!!!!
I'm not really sure when Christmas became such a commercialized occasion. Google tells me it was around the 20th century...which doesn't help me because history bores me to death. It could be the early 1900's or back when dinosaurs roamed the earth....I really have no clue.
I'm not a religious person by any means. I suppose I consider myself to be a spiritual person, but I never really understood or believed in the whole process of religion. I fully have respect for those that do, but for me I guess I will find out what's true or not true when I die. I pray, just not necessarily to their God, I follow the commandments (I can't name them all but I'm sure I follow them). My theory, take it with a grain of salt, is the bible is a story. And we all know how stories go...as time goes on, the story gets exaggerated, and little bits are always added or removed. Like the telephone game...I'm sure parts of it are true, and I'm sure parts of it are false. Geez...as I type, I'm already thinking of a few people reading this and hoping they understand I mean no disrespect.
I feel like we (society) stole Christmas from the true believers, Christians. Wasn't it meant to be their time to celebrate Jesus? How did Barbie and Mario Brothers get involved in this? Who invited Walmart to the Jesus celebration? Why do we all feel like we MUST buy presents for every person we run in to?
I go through this every single year. Christmas is not supposed to be about who spends what on who, or who gets the better present. Don't get me wrong, I love a good present, but I would rather a thoughtful present than a gift card. Giving a gift that means something to someone you love is much better than buying a crappy toy for someone that will likely break before New Years. If I could go back and add up all the piece of shit toys I bought for the kids I'm sure I could fill up a warehouse.
Did Jeremy need the 3-foot Transformer I bought him when he was two? He was too small to even play with it, and by the time he could carry it around he didn't like Transformers anymore. Waste of time. It's a waste of money too, money that I could have used on more important things...like yoga and purses.
The dreaded list...I make one every year. Jeremy, Grace, my mom, my grandparents, in-laws, friends, friend's of the kids, neighbors, co-workers, the teachers, the daycare teachers, every random gift exchange we have to buy for....the list goes on and on. I love the process of buying, wrapping, and giving the presents. If I find you something I think you'll love, then I just go for it! No pressure, no scanning prices, no worries...
I truly feel that if I can't give you a present that I think you'll LOVE, then I don't know you well enough and you shouldn't be on my list! If all I can think of is a gift card, well then you are probably getting banished from the list next year. And you should understand that as I expect the same thing.
Then add on ALL the charities that you MUST give money to or risk the eyes of "how dare you not give to _______ organization, what a bad person you are". Nobody ever considers when you say "NO" that you may have just given a donation to a different organization. At work, we support the United Way...this time of year, they do 50/50 draws, pot lucks, gift donations, pay check deductions, BBQ's, and if you don't give money every single time you get looked at like you are Scrooge. Please pay attention to how you treat the ones who say "No"....it takes a lot to say no....but I'm not saying no to charity, I'm saying no to that particular charity at that particular time. I'm not cheap, I'm not selfish, or greedy....I just can't do it all, all of the time. Or I'll be the next charity you are raising donations for!! Life's not cheap, especially around the holidays.
Ever notice that the pictures people post on facebook are typical the presents? There's a shot of all the gifts wrapped up and placed under the tree. But that's not enough, they must also line the couch, and stack the gifts as high as they'll go. We must prove we love our children by making sure they are overwhelmed with presents. The higher the presents, the more we love our kids. Next comes the pictures of the kids opening all the presents. Then there's the picture of the child in the middle of all their glorious gifts that Mommy and Daddy maxed out their credit cards for. Then that's it...No pictures of family or friends, just presents, presents, and more presents. Been there, done that...still paying off my credits cards from last year, and the year before, and the year before. The toys are long gone and broken, but at least the kids knew we loved them lots that year!!
I just want to see my family and friends. I do not want to be rushing in to the mall the week before Christmas just to grab you a gift card because I'm going to feel guilty if I don't get you something. I know I'm not the only one that feels that way, so why can't we say to each other....let's just forgo the gifts and hang out over coffee?
We've tried the "don't get us anything, cause we aren't getting you anything" speech, and that always backfires. We show up, and go figure....there's a present. Nothing like instant guilt and embarrassment. Cookies, fine. A handmade something or other, great. But PLEASE don't buy me a present if we only see each other once a year on Christmas!! The point of family and friends getting together should be to see each other, not rip open a few gifts, and then rush off to the next place to rip open a few more. It's so hectic, and it's not authentic.
I love decorating and wrapping gifts. I love pretending to have baking skills, only to have it turn into a complete disaster while the kids laugh their butts off at me. I like watching old Christmas movies. I already have a few twinkly decorations and lights up because it's so pretty to look at. I dim the lights, and play some music and sometimes just sit here and watch the glow of the lights on the tree. I love the holidays and all it represents....not what Walmart says it represents, but what it ACTUALLY represents....
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
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