Happy Holidays....

::singing:: Toooooo Yoouuuuu!

I'm so pumped for the holidays.  I'm even more pumped that I'm not doing Christmas presents for anyone except for my little man and a small thing for my husband.  All parents argreed not to do presents this year and it is wonderful!  Seriously, it's so much less stress, less money coming out, and I feel like I've really been enjoying the overall festiveness in the air!

One of the sweetest things so far was this:

We put up our Christmas Tree on a Friday night after Crinkles had gone to bed.  We figured it would be easier than trying to keep a 16 month old from pulling ever ornament and box down.  The next morning, The Bage went downstairs and turned the Christmas tree on but no other lights.  When I brought Crinks downstairs, he stopped in his tracks...he could only see the top of the tree over our half wall.  He stared at it for a moment, then slowly started shuffling his feet towards the tree. 

He then proceeded to touch as many of the lights as possible saying, "Baieet.  Baieet."  which (OF COURSE) means "light".  He loves to look at it and has done surprisingly well with not tearing everything off the tree.  We made a conscious effor to keep all "Crinkle-safe" ornaments on the bottom.

I cannot wait until Christmas morning when he opens presents.  I need a new video camer but may have to settle for my regular camera this year. 

Back on the note of no presents, it really does make me realized how commercialized Christmas is.  It's actually really sad where it's gotten, even since I was little.  Don't get me wrong, I love(d) opening presents and I honestly love the feeling when you find some thing for some one and think, they will LOVE this!  But when you go to the stores, without lists and the feeling that you absolutely HAVE to buy something for someone today, you are able to think more clearly.  You realize how every item out there is something cheap, not personal, or uber expensive.  And all because the companies know you'll buy it because you *have* to and can't think of anything else on short notice. 

I'm not a very religious person either.  I was raised Lutheran but don't go to church any longer and honestly don't believe in God (I can discuss that another day).  Anyway, I understand the origin of Christmas from the Christianity perspective as well as it's roots set in other cultures.  I may not celebrate it as "Jesus' birth" but I do think it's a time to spend with family, be thankful for what we do have, and enjoy life.  It should not be people trampling others on "Black Friday" over an item on sale by $5. 

I just hope that one day, some of the madness will die down and people can refocus on what is important in life.  Continue to buy presents for others if that is what your family does but take a step back and really think about what you're getting them and why.  I think one present picked from the heart and your relationship is worth way more than 5 presents that include some generic gloves, scarves, MP3 player earphones, etc. 

I'll step off my soap box now, I just wanted to get that out.

With that, I wish you Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, etc....

Pace,
Meggie Sue