I love this time of year. I hate this time of year. Can you relate?
I am not a shopper, so being forced to go out and enter the retail-frenzy is not that much fun for me. It's not that I mind the crowds so much. It's more of the realization of how materialistic we all are. I went into Toys 'R Us Friday and thought I was going to vomit. Is there any reason for any child to have any of those toys? No. Did I buy some of those toys? Yes. Arrgghh.
I know my children know the true meaning of Christmas, but would they react calmly if we told them all our monies and efforts were going into helping others less fortunate this year? I can tell you with all surety, no. There would probably be tears, arm and leg flailing fits, anger, and complete and shameless begging for us to change our minds.
Let me say we do not overindulge our children at Christmas. By the time they leave the two sets of grandparents, Santa is not left with many options. So our Christmas mornings are mild in comparison to some. Every year I think, "This is it. This is the year the kids will be disappointed and look at us and say something like, is that all?" That has never happened (and if they did say that, I think I'd cry and then beat them). They are always overjoyed with their gifts, no matter how few.
Christmas is for children, yes. And I surely do not want to take the fun out of Christmas. But how, oh how, I want my children to get it. Although, if I think about it, when did I get it? It definitely wasn't at age 5 or even 10. Heck, maybe I'm just now getting it.
Well, with that said, I will be heading back into town a little later looking among other things for teacher's gifts. And if anyone deserves a gift at Christmas, it's your child's teacher! (I didn't say that just 'cuz I'm one, I said it cause it's true.)
I told Brad yesterday I was feeling more overwhelmed this holiday season than I ever have, and I completely wasn't expecting this feeling. With both kids in school, I thought I would be super-organized and do all my shopping on Mondays and Fridays and be done within a week. Ha! It's not happening.
By the way, does anyone else hate the little commercial/spot on TV where it counts down how many days you have left to shop? I sure do.
2 comments:
One of my real life blogging friends has had a countdown to Christmas posted on her blog for the last 180 days or so ... mostly it has just served to remind me of how disorganized I am when it comes to this time of year!
I still don't have my Christams tree decorated. So far, I have the christmas kitchen rug and a wreath on the door. I always vow to be done by the 10th every year and its always the day24th before im ready and sometimes not then.lol. I usually have more fun the week after it's over...or I am going to start having that outlook to prevent the post christmas depression.
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