... more like Cyborg Monday.
Why doesn't anyone quite seem to be themselves today? Is it the post-Thanksgiving turkey hangover? The oh-my-gosh-Christmas-is-less-than-a-month-away panic?
Whatever it is, it stinks. I know I have a serious case of the blues. Even Chaney was uncharacteristically blah this morning.
Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves during this holiday season? I hate to say it but is this what it is really all about? Obligation?
Obligation to make everything perfect... to get the best deal... to find that hard to find toy... to shower your wife with diamonds and luxury cars... to have the biggest tree and the house with the most lights. Really?
I love Christmas and I'm not a scrooge but count me out. I just want to make some handmade ornaments and call it a day. You know what Chaney was begging for last night? Not the latest Webkinz or a new game for the Wii; she was asking for time. We had a busy Thanksgiving week and she felt like she didn't get to spend enough time with us. It made me a little sad to hear but at the same time it helped us re-focus as a family on what is really important... time with each other.
So, I want time for Christmas. A quiet day away from the stress of obligation. I quilt without obligation but I'm thinking that I could stand to carry that theme into other areas of my life as well... :)
What do you really want for Christmas?
15 comments:
Exactly what I have - a bit of snow, a few friends, a husband who works hard, adult kids who are moving on with their lives. I truly have it all.
That said, I have been (somehow) blessed with not owning the "I want to be perfect" gene. I rarely buy gifts for the "holidays", instead I prefer to gift throughout the year when I see something that speaks to me of someone I know. By living true to myself, day in and day out, I can approach the holidays without any sense of MUST DO and simply enjoy.
I wish you peace. :)
i know exactly what you mean. my mom and i went to the mall today and it was kind of disgusting... SO much stuff to buy, and i didn't need any of it.
What do I want?..."Time" would be a good gift for me as well. Come December 27th my hubby will be leaving us for Afghanistan for 8 1/2 months. So yeah...more time would be wonderful!
I think everyone needs to start thinking of the basics of life and forget the commercialization of the holidays. Everyone spends too much money, goes into debt, stresses out. We - us and our girls, decided a couple of years ago to stop spending so much and to do things a little simpler - so much less stress that way.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I agree whole-heartedly!! To many expectations! What do I want for Xmas?? Health and happiness for my loved ones!
I want my kids to be healthy and happy. I want my husband to slow down and stop working so hard for us. I want my friends to be healthy and happy and I really do want World Peace! Thank you for the post. So, so true.
I am with you on this, my only obligations now are to my partner and son and daughter. There are no big expectations for Christmas or birthdays or any other 'big deal'. I love being free of any guilt or pressure to be perfect and it all just works out really fine with life ticking along in a really peaceful manner.
I am totally with you! I purposefully did not set foot into one store or online shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. How dreadful! I can't stand to see those crazy shoppers in line at the crack of dawn, and those stampedes. I want handmade ornaments too! and peace and quiet.
I used to feel a lot of pressure, back when my marriage was young. Then I realized I do it to myself. I'm the only one who thinks the bathroom should be painted, the carpets shampooed to a pristine state, the presents AND wrapping paper hand-made. I finally let a lot of it go - my house is clean enough, and as long as we have laughter and yummy food, everyone is happy.
This year, without even being prompted, my children put amazingly simple and affordable ideas on their Wish Lists. My older son asked for t-shirts (a TEEN-AGED BOY, asking for clothes!) and my youngest son asked for stamps and an ink pad, a flashlight, and a water bottle. (Oh, and this had me rolling - he also asked for "a hidden underground laboratory" with a "hidden laser defense turret" that will go above the door of the laboratory. My husband told him it wouldn't be hidden after the bulldozers, dump trucks, and concrete trucks showed up....)
Gotta love little boys!
I'm standing up clapping. Seriously couldn't have said it better. I'd be happy with a bunch of very very low stress moments with my family -- and lots of laughter. Can't have too much laughter!
I agree. Since the week of Thanksgiving I feel like I've been putting major unnecessary pressure on myself to get way too many things done. I keep seeing on people blogs and other sites the countdown till Christmas and it is seriously stressing me out.
I want to enjoy (as much as possible, lol) the last four weeks of pregnancy.
I want to be excited for time spent with my family, and my new baby, whenever she decides to come.
I want to be thankful for what I already have. I really don't want anything materialistic for Christmas. I have a lot and I'm very thankful for that. I really don't need anything. I want to continue focusing on necessity rather than excess.
I think you read my mind. I felt the same way yesterday and only a little bit less today. I definitely want time for Christmas.
You know Jennifer...I really dislike the commercialization of Christmas...I don't really enjoy anything anymore.
I can't stand gift giving...you have to set an amount...then your family doesn't like what you buy, it's not good enough...or you just give gift cards for the amount, but why not just save your money and buy what you need? Why can't it be about getting together, enjoying a great meal and fellowship...skip the gifts...I don't need anything, I'm sure you don't either! =)
I was talking to hubby about this on Saturday. I just want the whole month to be over...because I think I'd be less stressed! It's sad, but I just want to enjoy thinking about something other than shopping and disappointing people because I'm on a tight budget. =(
I feel like that about Christmas shopping after Thanksgiving. There is entirely too much rudeness and meanness for me. I would rather do my shopping during the summer and treat the season for what it is truly intended for. Spending time with my loved ones doing fun things together.
Many years ago, my husband and I decided we had plenty of stuff, so we were not going to get each other gifts anymore; for xmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It made our celebrations much better. We'll do a special meal on those days, but no gifts.
Several years ago, we extended this idea to our grown children and their spouses. Instead of sending expensive gifts through the mail (and mega postage, too) we all agreed to save our money and visit more often! And it has worked beautifully! Of course, our grandson still gets gifts....cuz it's all about the kids, and it should be. But the adults are grateful for the stress relief!
You just need to have everyone agree to it, and put it our there RIGHT after the holidays, so no one has had a chance to start shopping for you again for the next year! lol
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