It's that time of year. And, personally, I freaking love Christmas -- the actual celebration of Christ's birth to a world who needed it, and still does today. Christmas is awesome.
In the Peters' household we are in a light state of tension. AP loves gifts, and who doesn't? I love gifts too. They just happen to drive me CRAZY at Christmastime.
I love really thoughtful gifts that say someone was thinking of me, even when I wasn't around. I don't like gifts that are given out of guilt or compulsion that the holiday season brings. In fact, they make me crazy. Don't get me wrong, or start to call me the Grinch. I love to GIVE gifts too. Just not around Christmas. I don't like that we are pushed into giving gifts because "it's just what you do". AP enjoys Christmases that are climaxed with a huge pile of presents to unwrap on December 25th. There are some happy memories there for him, that he doesn't want to let go of. And, that's okay.
You see, this is a struggle. I was raised with enough social graces to appreciate people who do give holiday gifts, I just wish we all didn't feel like it is something that you have to do. Nor do I want my child to grow up in a home where it seems like the holidays revolve around a pile of presents. I drives me crazy. I don't necessarily want to be a crazy family that has rejected holiday consumerism, but I do understand that to raise some kids with a focus toward things that are eternal may mean that people think you are nuts every now and then. Bring it. Fine, I choose not to defend myself.
I hate that people who cannot afford gifts feel less than at Christmas. You know it was the shepherds, the people who had nothing to give who had the most JOY that first Christmas. Don't we have this whole thing backwards?
My idea of a perfect Christmas? Being together with family and friends, eating brunch (my personal favorite meal), reading the story of Christ's birth, reading children's Christmas books to each other, welcoming neighbors into our home, and caring for strangers -- maybe adopting a family with some real needs (just like we needed Christ) and meeting them. Watching holiday movies together, drinking hot chocolate and singing some joyful music together. Yeah, I'll take that any day.
2 comments:
Agree with you 100%, Rachel! (Except I would drink egg nog rather than hot chocolate... mmmm) I am like you are LOOOVE giving and getting awesome gifts, but the pressure is too great at Christmas. I talked to a friend the other day who buys gifts for everyone in her family, including her cousins! We have only had maybe 2 Christmases since we've been married that we could afford a gift for families... and as we have quit nicer jobs for lower paying jobs we don't have $$ in our budget at ALL for gifts. I should feel comfortable with this, and I do mostly, but the expectation is so high! Irritating. Paul's fam is awesome - they had so may Christmases growing up where there were no gifts that now if someone gives gifts its a super treat - if not, no big whoop.
I'm SO right there with you too!
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