I just don’t want to.
I don’t want to be so busy preparing for the holiday this year that on December 24th it hits me, Christmas has passed me by, and I’ve over looked opportunities to bask in the spirit of the season because I was too busy with the doing of the season.
Cause, really how much of what we do for the Holidays has anything to do with Christ’s birth?
(And when I say we, I’m actually pointing to me.)
How much of what we do is for appearances? How many traditions turn out to be more of a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas?
Did you know that the average American family spends over $2,000 on Christmas. The overwhelming amount being put on credit cards. This isn’t the best of times to be going into debt. Or purchasing stuff just to look like you are keeping up with the Jones’.
I’ve been working on simplifying. Which is almost a contradiction in terms when you use it in the same sentence as ‘medically fragile child with special needs.’
(But I’ve never been one to color inside the lines.  And Sara Pallin says she’s a Maverick.  Amateur.)
I want to skip the chaos and have the time to focus on why we are celebrating.
( Which is going to be interesting with Parker’s surgery next month. Cause in my experience surgery and chaos can often be synonyms. Just pray that we’re sprung at least by Christmas Eve, k?)
By allowing the pace of our lives to become frantic with the hustle and bustle of putting on a really good show, we are likely to feel anything but peaceful and Christlike.
I’d much rather spend time crafting with my eleven year old than spending hours on creating the perfect handmade card to send out.
(Which, btw, I’ve done for years.)
No matter how stunning the card, it’s gonna wind up in the trash come the end of the month.
Where memories made with my blue eyed girl are forever.
So instead of making Christmas cards, I’m thinking of choosing a few people who have been incredible blessings to our family and writing them letters of thanks.
And then spend the extra time creating memories with my family doing things that everyone enjoys.
For me, cutting out the homemade cards is a good way to simplify.  But Christmas cards may represent your whole definition of the holiday spirit. Everyone’s choices in simplifying will be different.
This year the actual commercial gifts will be modest. It’s okay to have a low to non commercial Christmas.
No, really, it is.
In an economy such as ours it makes much more sense to focus on necessities and paying down debt rather than adding to it.
While we are paring down the Christmas gifts, I’m also planning on paring down the Christmas traditions too. Once a tradition begins to feel like a chore, or something you just want to hurry up and get done with, I’m thinking it’s time to retire it.
And I’m not the only one thinking this way:
Keep an eye out for the best quote ever:
“You are being bullied by a bunch of advertising majors.”
This just doesn’t go for the buying of gifts. It also includes advertisers’ ideas of what makes a perfect Christmas in regards to decorating, food, activities, etc.
Yes, I’m thinking that simple is going to be my focus for the Holidays this year. What about you?
ps: Need an idea for giving? Try this:
Gently used coats are perfectly welcome too.
My favorite part about Christmas is just driving around with the boys looking at Christmas lights. They love to find house with lots of lights. Spending time with my boys, thats what I love the most.
I say I am going to do all that each year and then I don’t. Some things I do cut out but I always seem to end up getting my kids “stuff”. Anywho… to my question for you. What do you tell your kids about not so much commercial stuff? Are they disappointed? Are they mad? I still have ones that believe in Santa, so how do you deal with that? I think this is why I struggle every year to cut out the commercial stuff.
Tammy says: To be perfectly honest having Parker has made a big difference in this area. Parker had been life flighted TWICE to our Children’s hospital by his first Christmas. We spent his first Christmas in the hospital as well.
Having that experience made a huge difference in how our family views Christmas.
I do believe though that if YOU feel good with it, that you kids will pick up on those vibes and feel good about it too. Think of last Christmas, was there a curve for you kids where the excitement waned? Did you notice a moment when your kids would have been perfectly happy to have stopped opening gifts and begin playing with them instead?
You don’t have to do it all at once. Baby steps. They’re a good thing.
I agree with Lacey. I love driving around looking at Christmas lights. I love your post. Because it’s not how much money we spend or all the things we can cram into doing. It’s the season. We get caught up sometimes in the commercialized christmas instead of the true meaning.
There are certain traditions I can’t part with. Watching Home Alone, baking cookies with my Mom and sis, having wine and appetizers on Christmas Eve with the hubs, reading The Night Before Christmas to our little man…but we are most def paring down the gifts this year. It’s more about being with and enjoying each other!
Tammy says: Kristin, you hit the nail on the head. Keep what is meaningful, don’t sweat what makes you nuts.
I was so surprised to hear what traditions my kids gave me the big ‘eh’ on and the ones they couldn’t live with out. I wish I would have talked with them a looong time ago.
Simple is my middle name! I love Holiday’s… but I do not enjoy burning my money. Especially on things that will get stepped over and thrown away. I will bargain shop until I’m blue in the face just to stay under budget… which isn’t much to begin with! Have a fabulous holiday season!
I have hand made every gift this year from yarn and fabric I already had on hand. I have no intention of giving any store my money for anything but food.
Twitter: kadiera
says:
For all of us who spend next to nothing….that makes that $2000 per family sound even more nuts, doesn’t it?
We’re not Christmas-y people, but the extended family is. We’re trying to focus on traditions that actually focus on family rather than on gifts, particularly where Alex is concerned….we let the grandparents buy him whatever they want to buy, after we’ve suggested useful things that would be good, but we limit our own purchases to one item.
Twitter: therextras
says:
You and I think alike (we have great minds). I attended a program years ago called “Christmas Your Way”. I think there is a book by that title.
I still do an annual letter, but shifted it to late summer or fall.
Like kadiera, we still struggle with extended family members who want to foist the large gathering with emphasis on ripandtear gift exchanges. Not.my.kind.of.fun.
Still praying for Parker and you – with emphasis on getting home by Christmas Eve. Will your missionary son be home?
Tammy says: Barbara, how I wish I had the education you have! All that knowledge. I sooo appreciate you sharing it on your blog! My Missionary comes home on the 22nd. And I am freaking out knowing that I won’t be able to be at the airport to pick him up. Oh, the plans we had! But Reed has promised to bring him straight to the hospital for a grand reunion.
Tammy:
I’ve been catching up on your blog! i didn’t know that Brant gets home soon! I thought he just went out last year. I love that picture of him hugging Parker!
You’re definitely right. There are a lot of things my children need so I often take that time to provide those and for the few things I get them that they want I am searching and saving for the best deals. Probably our biggest “expense” (which we use coupons, deals and B1G1) is the meal.
Spending time building memories is a great idea!
I pray you and Parker will be home by Christmas Eve and that the chaos is minimal and easy to handle. Enjoy the rest of your week.
I pray that everything goes well with Parker and you guys enjoy your simplified Christmas.
Prayers to you, your family and Parker. I hope all goes well with the surgery. I agree about the over commercialization of Christmas. I went looking today for something else and found out about the Jesse Tree. I am not Catholic, but I really liked the message about the advent calendar meaning something. There are a lot of sites out there that have ideas for the Jesse Tree, daily bible readings, and things for the kids to do to put the focus back on Christ during the CHRISTmas season. It is just what my family needs. Maybe it would work for yours too.
Tammy says: Allyson, I’m going to go and take a look at the Jesse Trees! Thanks for the idea.
Wow, I have been thinking the same thing. I am contemplating not doing any decorating except the tree and the nativity set. No lights on the house, no blow-up yard ornaments, no tinsel on the stairs. Just simple and family-focused. Save time, effort and money. I was never going to win the ‘best decorated house; award anyway!
Tammy – I came across this yesterday, and then reading this today made me think of it. I thought you might like it – you could have it say anything!
http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2009/11/ashleys-christmas-centerpiece.html
Tammy says: Megan, thank you for the link! I love this! And I think I have just about everything it would take to make it already here. I could make one of these for next to nothing. Which is one of my favorite prices.
I love so many things on that site. I’m making the JOY plaques for Christmas presents!