Christmas Time

With the holidays coming up there has been lots of Christmas talk. Just today we went to the store and all the Christmas stuff is out. There is no sign of Thanksgiving. People are asking for Christmas wish lists and the shopping sprees are beginning.

When I was in high school I learned of a family's Christmas tradition who lived around the corner from us. They didn't really do presents. I thought that was the worst thing I'd ever heard in my whole life! The reason was that the excitement of presents took away from the true meaning of Christmas. They accepted gifts and would give neighbor gifts, probably homemade, but they didn't get all wrapped up in the frenzy of stores and spending more money than you have.

For the past few years I have been thinking of this idea. I have been researching the idea of no Christmas gifts and there are a lot of reasons why people don't do gifts. Some are broke and don't have the money to spend. Some don't see the point of accepting stuff that you don't need or want. Some have experienced that there is less stress and more time & energy to think of Christ while being with friends and family.

Christmas has always been a huge deal when I was growing up. Most of the time we had foster kids so it's like it had to be a big deal, giving them a Christmas morning experience with tons of stuff. It was fun, don't get me wrong, but I'd like to try out this other way.

This year we will be home. Nick has training and work and there is no way that we can go anywhere. I am looking forward to spending our first Christmas at home, it will be simple.

As far as gifts, Nick is a big fan of giving an experience rather than a tangible item. I used to think he was crazy, but now, not so much. When I experienced a mani/pedi at a spa that he arranged, it was heavenly. So that is a good idea, also anything homemade... pinterest is excellent for ideas!

In our home we have a collage of black frames, all shapes and sizes. The goal is to fill them with pictures of our fam and friends, so that is all we are asking for this year - a recent picture and if you want to pick out your own black frame, go for it!