If you ask me, the holiday season has become way too materialized. The whole meaning of the holiday season has been lost to commercialism and greed. Kids and adults sit, glued to the television, wide-eyed, while the latest must-have-gadgets flash before their eyes, subliminally saying "You can not live without me." Cha-ching. Retailers are laughing at how easily swayed we are.
My family cut back on presents a few years ago. Fortunately, we all have everything. We were all so stressed out trying to come up with the perfect gift. Finally, someone said, "Let's just stop this madness." We still get each other a little something, a token really. A gourmet box of chocolates, a favorite bottle of wine...You get the picture. Having removed the focus off of gifts, the focus has been shifted onto our blessings: the gift of family, the gratitude of a warm home, a delicious meal and the knowing that we live in light and love.
What do you do so that the true meaning of the holiday season does not get lost in the madness?
Stupende !!!
ReplyDeleteWell said Debby and you are so right. I think our quality family time, game playing, movie watching eating with no abandon is our families way of cherishing the season. I so look forward to those few days when my family is here and we are all together just enjoying each others company. I agree gift giving has gotten increasingly stressful! Too many choices....looooooove your images. That second one stole my heart:)
ReplyDeleteTo combat that stress we do all of the above you mentioned. We stay in our warm home, savoring the blessing that WE EVEN HAVE A HOME, we eat a good meal, invite friends and just enjoy being together. We have everything we need, and we just keep it simple.
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful day dear Debby! Anita
My sentiments exactly Debby. Our family has little rituals laced throughout the season to try and anchor ourselves to the family time that Christmas is really all about. This Friday we are going to see the big tree in town and have dinner as a family, we all trim the tree and the house together while listening to carols, and this year my little sister and I are making some of our gifts. I think above all people value the time that you take out during the holiday season, just to spend it with them and show how much love you carry in your heart.
ReplyDeleteAh, Debby, this is wonderful. I loved the stunning images, and I love the thought of a peaceful Christmas. This is my second year without Kenny. Someone said that the second year is more difficult. I don't know if that is true. I see so much joy in my life. I don't know that I did last year. However, what is true, is that the reality of losing someone you love hurts a bit more. What has happened though is this. It makes me appreciate all that we are and all that we have, despite our loss.
ReplyDeleteI think for us, Christmas has always been more about faith and family. We really stay focused on both more so than the gifts. Of course, we do the gifts...but compared to many people we know, they are very small. But in our house, my family still wants to see the decorations...hear the carols...smell the food...and visit the events all over town. Just writing and thinking what it means to us makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteWe don't do just one thing that I can think of to take away the stressful parts of Christmas but we do make ourselves remember our blessings and we do enjoy just being together as a family. After all, that's what is truly important! We did start drawing names last year for gift giving and that has helped a TON!!! I think it's extra hard having a shop that has been decorating and selling Christmas since October! I try very hard to stay in the Christmas spirit at home! This year will be special as Miller actually comes home tomorrow for the month of December and part of January! Yay! And then Holly and Brad will be here towards Christmas and then it will be off to the beach for New Year's all together! That's their favorite tradition by far! Loved these images too! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeletei totally agree...somewhere along the way we stopped going to church, I think it was when we moved down the shore, b/c we never found a church that we liked...We need to find one, b/c I want Chloe to grow up going to Christmas mass...
ReplyDeleteFor me it is all about spending time with the people I love. I'm really looking forward to hosting Christmas this year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Hun xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
I slow down. I read scriptures. I try to find ways to help those I should be helping the rest of the year but I don't, like my neighbor or a widow at my Church. Slowing down... yep that's the key for me.
ReplyDeleteOur families have cut back on the gifts too- each person draws another person's name & buys one gift for them as a Secret Santa. It's just lovely. For us, the holidays are marked by large, fun gatherings with different friends & family.
ReplyDeleteDebby,
ReplyDeleteWe have cut back too and keep our lists small as well as the dollar amount. We're about a great time together as a family. My DIL is very mindful of not spoiling our granddaughter and I remember from the days when my own children were small that they enjoy a few things, too many presents and they are overwhelmed and end up liking the box better than the gift.
Karen at Garden, Home and Party
Oh I go crazy every year - I always say next year I'm not going 'through' this - but I always stress myself out - with gifts, food, decorating, ect --- I def gotta figure out how to destress and figure a way to make it stress free - the way it should be
ReplyDeleteI have to say though every year I say I will not do as much, I really do enjoy all the fuss. Its a lot of work and some of it is not necessary but its the one time of the year where I have an excuse to pull out all the stops. But we have definitely lightened our gift giving load, we simply don't need much so we keep it light and simple.
ReplyDeleteFamily is definitely the best gift!
ReplyDeleteYep! Couldn't agree with more Debby. The stress that we put ourselves under is not worth it.. and not the reason for the season. Target has these commercials that drive me nuts. They are making fun of how women run wild trying to shop. You've probably seen the add when the lady is on a treadmil or stationary bike TRAINING for the pre holiday sales.. I can't even watch it. My issue has to do with trying to make sure the house, meals, cookies, and gifts are all perfect. I want everyone to be happy. With entertaining factored into the mix (especially the overnight or week-long guest..) I get stressed because the house gets trashed. Oh.. forgot about the two dogs that track mud in and shed everywhere.. HoHoHo :)
ReplyDeletexx
leslie
I agree completely with you Debby. The last few years our family has just given token gifts as well. We all have everything we need and we're all watching our budgets. Last year I gave homemade goodies to my family and friends and they loved it. It's more about spending time together, yummy food and visiting. Family and friends are the best gift there is.
ReplyDeleteI tend to give a lot of charity presents, usually from Oxfam, unless I know that there is something that someone really wants or could really use. Like this year my nieces and nephew are getting goats for a village in Africa. They have more toys, clothes and junk then they can possible play with so for Xmas they are getting the gift of charity. But because I'm not a horrible Auntie, I'll get them junk for their birthdays xx
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the greed. We actually don't give gifts and when we do it is either something hand made or something like a book.. Nothing fancy or expensive. It's more about the times and laughs we share
ReplyDeletexo Stephanie