Tis the season?

The idea for this blog started on Thanksgiving....the day of giving thanks for all wonderful things we have been blessed with in our lives. To be thankful for our friends and family, or health and fortune  however small or large it might be. To come together with loved ones, enjoy the company of them all and appreciate the love and fondness we have for one another.

After feeling all nice and toasty with a full belly of the nourishment we were all thankful for the "stuff" starts. Christmas lists are brought out, shopping trips are planned and either pennies are pinched or credit cards are brought out to show each other how much we care with "stuff".

What I Love: Christmas. I love the songs, the decorations and the family traditions we have like playing cards on Christmas Eve and whiskey shots on the hour in memory of family we have lost through the years. I love the family all sleeping under the same roof to wake up to a half eaten cookie and note from Santa. I love the day in pajamas playing more cards and eating stocking candy for breakfast. Family.

What Drives Me Nuts: The "stuff".  Why do we feel the need to go into debt or spend every penny in our bank account showering our family and friends with gifts. Don't get me wrong, I don't have much money but I do it as best I can. I love getting people gifts but the pressure that you have to get everyone something at the same time of year is overwhelming. Especially noting the fact that most people don't even give gifts that people actually want.

Solution. Year Round Christmas. No, I'm not suggesting decorated trees, fake snow, elves, fat guys in red suits and jingle bells splitting time with the Easter Bunny. I'm saying forget the stress in December, and spread the joy year round. As far as gift giving, try to send notes or things to your friends whenever you get the urge. I have a few friends who I do that with already. And since we've had children we don't buy Christmas presents in December anyway. No, we don't love each other any less, we just understand that a forced gift is not necessary. When picking up a cup of coffee, get a gift card to send to your friend who you wish was joining you. If you see a sweater that would look amazing on your bestie at a clearance sale in April....get it for her. On a hot August day, sip a cold drink and write a letter, by hand, to a distant relative.  Trust me, these little things scattered throughout the year will do much more than an extra bottle of lotion from bath and body works on Christmas.

Although, if anyone can find a bottle of discontinued Butterfly Flower, I am all out ;-)