So I have had the most stressful hour. I got a call from my mom. She wanted to confirm with me, that it was OK for my siblings and I to NOT buy for each other. I am so frustrated with gift giving. I love doing it. Yes, it is stressful sometimes, to find the perfect gift for everyone. BUT... I love the hunt, the search, the wrapping. I even enjoy the opening. LOL
I have really worked on not looking at who got what for who. I have worked on appreciating what I get, but also what I am able to give. I still want to get things. I want to give the PERFECT things I already found this year. Yet, now I will feel like I shouldn't get anything for my siblings and parents; because it would make them feel funny. I don't want that. I just want to enjoy giving what I give. I LOVE that feeling. UGH!
My biggest fear is that as we begin to stop all our tradition holiday meet-ups; that we will not see each other anymore. How close are we really? Do we even know each other at all? No not really I guess. :(
That is something we should look at working on I guess. At some point though, I guess some families just aren't as close as others. Noone has the perfect relationship. I just worry about this all being even more stressful on my parents too.
So... what traditions do you have for the holidays? Do you gather together and drive around to see lights? Do you go caroling with a church group? Do you cut down the annual holiday tree?
Sometimes I feel like the older I get, the more I find I am loosing. That isn't supposed to be how this season works, is it??
On a better note... I am excited to be going to the annual Christmas Bazaar this weekend. Not just once, (with my mom, sister, and nieces) but TWICE... going with my daughter, my friend, and her daughter. WOOHOO!!! :)
2 comments:
hello, that friend would be me. :)
I cant' wait to go with you and Megan to the Expo.
Let's see, our tradiions are:
I take the kids down town every year to see Santa at Meier and Frank. OOPS, Macy's. Whatever.
We cruse D. town and have lunch. It's a great day. We bake and decorate cookies every year too. We spend Christmas Eve with Randy's family. We used to buy gifts for everyone but have not in the last 4 yrs. It got to be too expensive for some. I miss the giving part, it was fun. Christmas day, we stay home and enjoy our christmas tree, gifts and eachother. Krispie kreme donuts or homemade cinnomon rolls are a part of the morning too. :)
So, how do you handle NOT giving stuff. I understand the monetary part. I get my parents wishes for a more religous based Christmas. I just don't get teaching my kids NOT to want to give. That is killing me. I have always thought of this season as being as time to remind my kinds about doing things for others. It just doesn't seem right to not do the same, for my family. I also don't want to make my siblings that can't afford things, to feel they have too. My one sister though, is the type that checks with what others are getting and does the same $$ amount. That isn't the point, but I can't say something without offeneding her and her husband. :(
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