So, it's the first day of December, and I just can't quit blogging! Aren't you happy? There's so much cool stuff going on out there, and I want to dip my toes into a little of all of it. But I have thoughts swirling around my head, and I have to share them.
Watch this cool video.
I love the whole idea of Advent Conspiracy. It's good to hear a message that doesn't simply whine and moan about how crazy Christmas has become, but gives you some concrete idea on how to take back Christmas from consumerism. (Spend time together, instead of money on each other.) I especially identify with the part that says, "Sometimes you are just happy to survive the season." I have definitely, absolutely felt that way in the past, and it's miserable. Where you're too busy running from one place to another and it all feels important, and worthy, until it doesn't, and you don't want to do it anymore. Several years ago, Beaux and I had to put the brakes on our commitments, our Christmas season was out of control with do-ing. We don't have that problem so much these days, the only hard part is balancing the family visits, and making sure we don't short change anyone. Which is exhausting enough for anyone.
(One day I'm going to have a not-so-small house, a real house with extra beds and bathrooms for people, and I will tell people to come see US for Christmas. And I will cook for them. And we can sit around and drink coffee and hot chocolate and wine and stay up late wrapping presents. And anyone who doesn't come can just blame themselves for missing out on the party.)
(And I will not make a turkey dinner for Christmas, either. It's going to be gumbo or something else Cajun and delicious and NOT a turkey.)
But the problem with this video - a very tiny problem, and it's my own issue, admittedly - is that, for a moment, it made me feel guilty. I am easily guilt tripped, especially when it comes to church stuff. That's pretty much why I'm not a Baptist anymore, because I couldn't handle living in the middle of one long guilt trip. It was starting to make me want to run around the block, naked, just to be rebellious. So I started thinking, about how we, as a family of three, do Christmas, and I realized something very good - I think we're doing just fine.
We don't have credit cards, so we don't go into debt spending money on Christmas. That's a pretty big plus, right there.
This means we spend what we can, which means, it's not an excessive amount. Because we don't have an excess of money around here. We have plenty, and enough, but excess, no.
In fact, the past two years, Beaux and I have not given each other anything big or grand, but just filled each other's stockings. You can still spend some cash on stocking stuffers, but it took the pressure away from a 'big gift'. I kinda love this tradition, and would like to continue it, even if this year or in the future, we can afford to give each other something 'big'.
For Thomas, he gets three presents from us, just like the baby Jesus received from the Magi. Okay, so it's not gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but it's an easy way to corral the present giving. This is harder for me than you would believe - I love my child, and I love to buy him stuff I think he would like. I don't buy very many toys for him throughout the year (certainly not big items) and he's a lucky kid with a summer birthday.
As for a present from Santa, I'm not sure what to do about that. I think that three from us and one from Santa is probably the way we'll go. Or really, until he can really *get* Santa, we'll probably skip it.
As for presents for others, there are many people in my life who will be receiving hats, knitted by yours truly. I have a feeling I have more people I love than I have time to knit for, but I'm going to do my best.
Of course, right smack dab in the middle of Christmas season is my birthday. Being born in December is just plain no fun, when it comes to presents, because I wait all year for them.
And speaking of presents, can I just say, I like receiving presents? I like giving them, too, especially if you're one of my favorite people. (This explains why I usually get my grandpa, who needs nothing, some summer sausage. Or another warm hat.) Is it wrong to like a time of year where part of the tradition is, well, presents? Should I feel guilty about that? I know many, many people who say, "I don't need anything" and it's true. But - honestly - is it okay that I do, if not NEED anything, sure enjoy the books, magazine subscriptions, and gift certificates? I'm not receiving Xboxes every year, or $500 cameras. We just don't do Christmas or birthdays that extravagantly in our family.
I think part of the problem is that as a society, we don't wait for the big purchases. We don't always wait until we can pay for it out of our bank account, certainly, and we don't wait for a special occasion. But, for the most part, I -and, we, as a family - do. So I think it's okay that I enjoy the present-receiving. As with most of life, the problem is when we do something to excess. Presents in moderation? On a budget, with a spending limit? Choosing to give presents out of a true giving spirit, and not out of obligation? All of those things sound pretty good to me. It's all about balance, which can be hard to remember in the frenzy of all things Christmas.
Of course, it's really awesome if you can find a way to help someone through your Christmas giving. I think it's important to give intentionally, and sometimes that means helping someone out, more than it means finding the perfect gift. A simple check might pay the electric bill for a struggling couple, or a gift card to a restaurant is a major treat, when you're on that tight budget. Giving intentionally means donating money for clean water if Africa instead of another present that ends up stuffed in some closet, absolutely. I especially think it's a great way to take care of those "obligation" presents, you know, the people who buy themselves flatscreens in July.
Really, this whole post ignores the spiritual experience that Advent should be. I love being part of a church tradition that pays attention to the coming of Jesus every Christmas, but that's another post in the wings. In the meantime, enjoy making your lists, crank up the Christmas music, and absolutely refuse to get stressed out. Says the woman with many, many hats to knit!
