This year, Christmas with my mother’s family will be an experiment in doing things differently. We have not drawn any names for gifts, and no adult gifts will be given. We are planning to get together, eat a meal, play games, sing Christmas carols, give gifts to children, and have a $10 white elephant gift exchange/ thief session.
For me, this approach is a complete relief. Since I have become an adult, I have despised the commerciality that has become Christmas. It is a sad reflection on this nation’s rejection of the original Christmas Gift: Jesus Christ. In addition, New Daddy and I are not independently wealthy, and we don’t have a Christmas savings account just so we can financially survive this time of the year. Ah, yes, and we avoid credit cards unless they’re absolutely necessary.
I think that Christmas is for children, and I enjoy seeing children giddy with the excitement of a tree laden with gifts. But, as adults, we are capable of buying, or at least saving up for things that we want and need. We do not need to be dependent on someone to guess what we might like, or to come up with a “Christmas-y” gift just because it is Christmas. I do enjoy receiving gifts, but it is not something that I have to have for it to feel like Christmas.
I am looking forward to this gathering. I hope, that in being freed from the constraints of commercialism, we will be able to enjoy the finer aspects of this time of the year. I’m anticipating the simple pleasures of a very competitive game of Apples to Apples, and the thrill of harmonies that a family of musicians can produce in “Joy to the World.”
I think it will be quite beautiful, and a welcome relief. Maybe, through this experience, we are a lot closer to realizing a truer meaning of Christmas: a chance to take a break from the daily grind, to enjoy the Presence of our Savior, and the gift of each other’s company.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
For me, this approach is a complete relief. Since I have become an adult, I have despised the commerciality that has become Christmas. It is a sad reflection on this nation’s rejection of the original Christmas Gift: Jesus Christ. In addition, New Daddy and I are not independently wealthy, and we don’t have a Christmas savings account just so we can financially survive this time of the year. Ah, yes, and we avoid credit cards unless they’re absolutely necessary.
I think that Christmas is for children, and I enjoy seeing children giddy with the excitement of a tree laden with gifts. But, as adults, we are capable of buying, or at least saving up for things that we want and need. We do not need to be dependent on someone to guess what we might like, or to come up with a “Christmas-y” gift just because it is Christmas. I do enjoy receiving gifts, but it is not something that I have to have for it to feel like Christmas.
I am looking forward to this gathering. I hope, that in being freed from the constraints of commercialism, we will be able to enjoy the finer aspects of this time of the year. I’m anticipating the simple pleasures of a very competitive game of Apples to Apples, and the thrill of harmonies that a family of musicians can produce in “Joy to the World.”
I think it will be quite beautiful, and a welcome relief. Maybe, through this experience, we are a lot closer to realizing a truer meaning of Christmas: a chance to take a break from the daily grind, to enjoy the Presence of our Savior, and the gift of each other’s company.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Comments
Hopefully, I'll be a little less stressed out-- with the bouche- cracking cracking my nerves...heheh!
God bless, and take care on the road.