Christmas is such a hard time of year. Everyone, including myself, is bogged down with “to-do” lists and running in circles. That is why this year I chose to focus on the Advent preparation for Christmas Day. Focusing on what I can give this season that will last and not just some wrapped up prize for someone to open. This year was especially draining – I am working full time (and part time). And being able to share my thoughts and sentiments was also very tough. I ran out of time and steam! My three month plan to “save” money just bottomed out – totally!  I ran myself ragged and didn’t stop until Christmas Day. When all was set and done – we had a simple Christmas. Everyone agreed not to buy needless gifts that no one wanted or needed. We decided on gift cards and small gifts.I for one hate getting gifts that I can’t/won’t ever use. It feels spoiled and useless to me. So we took everyone’s advice and did just that. After a Christmas Eve – yes guilty – of last minute gift hunting and kiffle baking, Christmas finally settled in.

Yet, I felt unsettled and thrown into the holiday :-(. I felt totally out of my element, like I was trying to catch up. I vaugely remember Christmas Eve – laughter and paper flying everywhere 🙂 – kids…you know.  So it seemed we had a “wild” Christmas Eve.

As I drifted off to sleep I had a restless energy and a “tiny” hopeful spirit for Christmas Day. I awoke with even more on my mind than the night before. Just too too much to do and today was the day. We set forth with our plans to have a simple menu instead of a big dinner. We wanted to relax and enjoy the day. The day was filled with present wrapping, laughter and just ‘goings on’. As always a busy house, we paced ourselves into the day and we finally settled in to open our gifts. We shared photos and a few humorous moments and Christmas Day was finally complete.

It would have been better if my Christmas cold/stomach bug didn’t catch up to me 😦 yet the simplicity and comfort of the day was all I was longing for. I supposed a stocking filled with trinkets and a tree adorned with gifts is awesome and special but that isn’t what makes the reason for Christmas Day special. After all the gifts are opened and the paper is strewn around – those that you love dearest are the ones that you want to share the day with. Opening gifts alone is no fun either. Christmas is about special moments, joy, family, peace, love and faith – simplicity – these things cannot be wrapped up in boxes and decorated with bows. But they are simple gifts that last a lifetime.

I hope that you had a simply special Christmas.
Shari