Christmas presents hysteria

When it is all over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have lost the joy of shopping and going around trying to decide, what to give others. Christmas is too commercialized, my heart is broken for those who don't know the true meaning of Christmas. It's the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah and our saving grace in this world:) My favorite time, spending time with my daughter and our family of grandkids!

I think I've got more excited about Christmas as I've got older! I don't find Christmas shopping (or any other shopping, for that matter) relaxing in any way. However, I do enjoy choosing or making thoughtful gifts. I don't see it as a chore for the most part. There are a couple of people for whom I find I don't enjoy Christmas shopping - they'd be the ungrateful ones, the ones who won't like whatever you get them no matter what it is. Thankfully, we don't have many of those that we buy for! I think, perhaps, that having had some really horrible Christmases has made me want to put the effort into it. I realise it would have the opposite effect on some. My favourite part of Christmas is being at home with my family. I'd love to have all the family here but that wouldn't be practical. I enjoy my one day a year where I don't feel obliged to go anywhere or do anything. I can watch my husband and sons open their gifts (the youngest is 17 but he and his big brother will still humour me saying they believe in Santa ). I love being able to spend time in the kitchen preparing dinner (I enjoy cooking, and it's nice to do a dinner that's not rushed). I like sitting around the table to have dinner - we so often sit in front of the TV, which I really don't like. But that's been because I've had to use the dining table for work. Christmas Day, the table is cleared and we sit there for dinner no matter what. I also love the facetime/phone calls we have with our daughters and granddaughters. I suppose I'm saying that the whole family getting together (even if it can only be online/by phone for some) is my favourite thing.

Seeing all the lights and decorations people put up every year, or the result of the hard work my husband and I put in for our own decor.

Hope you celebrate your Christmas well.

Earlier the better, prepare well and don't forget the less fortunate.

It is a very tough year for many of us. The money just is not there. My favorite part of Christmas is just living and being near my son. I pray that your Christmas is bright.