Don't you love how the winter months some how symbolize comfort. Here in California we still get outside quite a bit in the winter with warm days and sunshine. But we still love to snuggle up to a warm fire and comfy blanket with a bowl of soup in our lap.
Have you noticed anything different this Holiday season?? There seems to be a real push this year for a real homespun Christmas out in the material world. Etsy seems to be the place to shop this year if you can't hand make it yourself. Our family really enjoys making things for each other. Usually for Christmas we bust out all our creative and artistic talents to make heartfelt and handmade treasures for each other. Although this year we are scaling back on that some as well. We just don't need anything. People keep asking me are you done your Christmas shopping?? I haven't even started and we don't have big retail spending plans for this year. And honestly having accepted this as a family has really made the season feel a whole lot more meaningful and a lot less stressful. We made plans as a family to spend some time giving to those in need this season which we have been doing. We have been baking yummy holiday food. Playing games together in the evenings and watching movies. I think I am beginning to remember that whole spirit of Christmas thing again and while some might say we are going without this year I am really seeing how much more we really have.
Are you doing anything different this Holiday Season?
Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born,
If He's not born in thee, thy soul is still forlorn....
~Johann Scheffler
For the past several years, my husband and I have been scaling back during the holidays, trying to avoid all the madness and unnecessary Christmas shopping. I've found that once we've released ourselves from that madness, life during the holidays are much more simple and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteWe don't put-up decorations anymore either. We spend a quiet day as a couple, reflecting upon our Savior, and being thankful for the blessings He has given us. Of course, there are a few favorite foods and goodies prepared but personally, we don't "do" Christmas anymore. This way of "celebration" works best for us at this time.
I haven't started yet, I'm out today to go and deal with it....second hand all the way (as usual), small adn tasteful and useful, no overblown gestures or great expense. x
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! This year it's all about the kids, and not all the grown ups. The holidays become pleasant again when you remove the commercial aspect of it. I'm happy you are enjoying the simple things, that is what life's about. We must meet up next time I'm in SD the time flew!
ReplyDeleteXxoo
People do go a over the top with gifts for christmas, time is a better idea often the kids are given things so they will be busy for a while and you get on with other things but they need company sometimes that works better.
ReplyDeleteMerle....
You pretty much describe OUR Christmas intentions and experience, Heather. My only "pressure" is filling 11 stockings with small but significant treasures for our grandchildren and some extra planning involved for some special Christmas & Christmas Eve happenings at our church throughout the month......
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are wonderful. I'm especially curious about the rest of the chalkboard :)
You make me wish my Christmas was a bit less stressful and about presents Heather, though it's only the kids I have to buy for. All the grown ups get second hand or home made, or else something that they've been needing for a while. I don't get the kids big things throughout the year so I do like to spoil them a bit at Christmas but they still appreciate the family moments like putting up the tree and decorations together, going out delivering our Christmas cards to neighbours and suchlike. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm on my way! So happy that others are giving second hand things too. This year I literally found many things to give and made aprons. 6 of them! i am going to start making doll clothes and other things through the year so it's not so much at the end of the year. You describe to me what the heart of Christmas is celebrating the birth of our savior with our family. God says He will not share glory. Somehow I don't see him winking at all this glitz and junk we do, the busy commericalism steals it away. It's a cheap replacment for the real meaning of Christmas.
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