Giving meaning to the holidays
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are once again being assaulted (that might be a strong word, but that's how I feel sometimes) with Christmas decorations in all the stores and Santa (already!) at the malls. So once again I am looking for ways to take the focus off all the materialism and back on what's important.
I like some of the ideas in this article on how to bring greater meaning to the holidays.
I think the easiest idea I see there is choosing a name off the "angel tree" at a local store or mall and choosing appropriate gifts with your family. That doesn't mean you have to do away with gifts to each other, but anything that helps take the emphasis off "me, me, me" is positive in my book.
We also make sure to make the holidays about spending TIME with, not MONEY on, family and friends. My husband and I started a tradition right after our daughter was born that every year on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, no matter where we are, we'll take a walk somewhere, just the three of us (and soon to be four). It's a reminder that we are what's most important to one another. The rest of the family matters too, of course -- matters a lot. But we need our family time to just be reminded of how lucky we are to have each other.
What kinds of things do you and your family do to give the holidays a little extra meaning?
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5 Comments
THANK YOU PATTI. You know that old saying about a word in due season or something like that??? You gave that to me with this post and the article. I really, needed to see that.
I'm glad you liked it! I really think the simple things can go such a long way if we just take the time to remember them. :)
Patti
SAHM in SoCal and administrator of the Sleep Forum group, http://www.mothersclick.com/group/sleep-forum and Tri-Counties Moms, http://www.mothersclick.com/moms-club/tri-counties-moms-sb-ventura-slo-c...
I try to teach my children from early age that giving feels better then recieving.
Every year I rent a local Ice Ring for 2 hours on first Saturday in December and my boys (12 and 7) make flyers and invitations to invite their friends, classmates and teachers for a fun skating party. They are all asked to bring items for our local Food Bank. Some of my friends who are business owners donate items and we have a special draw, serve cookies and hot chocolate while skating to Christmas songs.
We are also involved in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse Canada. Every year we make special shoes boxes and fill them with toys and useful items. These are given to needy children all over the world who otherwise wouldn't receive any gifts.My boys always make a box each for a boy in their age range and I always make one for a little girl.
Of course, my kids can't wait to receive their gifts and their lists are huge (they don't get everything they ask for), but they feel like they are making difference and that there are people and children who have food and gifts on Christmas every year because they cared.
Ms Bibi - Mom of 2 Boys
Frugal Wannabe Since 2008
www.freeguideforbusymoms.com
www.frugalwannabecooks.com
Instead of buying everybody something we just put everybodys name in a basket and we all draw and watever name you draw thats who u buy a present for.
Early on we started the tradition of picking out a gift to donate either to one of those angel trees or a toys for tots program. I think it helps reinforce the idea that it's not all about the getting but the giving.
I also worked with my son on picking out a gift for me and a gift for his dad even when he was little. I'd pay for it. But he needed to pick it. That's something that has stuck with him all these years and I must say he's made some good choices over the years, particularly that Brian Setzer Christmas CD. I play that every year.
Then of course, there's the religious aspect. I'm sorry to say we aren't as religious as I was raised to be, but I do try to bring some of that back at holiday time with books, religious gifts and gentle reminders of the real reason for the season.