Milkypaws

Snow is falling all around us, Christmas lights are on in the neighbourhood, people are frantically shopping for that perfect gift.  Ever wonder how we have all gotten to this point in the year, where there is so much panic and so many expectations?  We all seem to procrastinate on the shopping for presents, and we all seem to feel that it is so necessary to spend X amount or more on each person.  More and more, I am trying to spend time making something for everyone on my list.  We don't buy for our siblings anymore, and not even really for neices and nephews, and something small for our parents.  We have finally figured out that we should be spending our resources making Christmas special for those people living in OUR house, not providing a present filled Christmas for other people.  Perhaps it sounds a little bit selfish, but it is up to us to provide a nice holiday for our daughter, where we can, to some extent, control the amount of gifts she receives.  She is 8, she loves presents, but more than anything, she is appreciative of Christmas being about spending time with your family and friends.  I have seen too many families where it's all about the presents and who got whom what, which isn't the legacy I want to leave my child with.  Let's see if we can all live a little simpler, and remember the true meaning of Christmas!