I am a bit OCD about getting my Christmas shopping done early. I set a personal goal to complete my shopping by December 5th and cards by December 10th so I can relax (ha!) and ENJOY the last 2-3 weeks preceding Christmas, unencumbered by shopping lists and last minute panic.
Daddy & I decided we would have a tradition of Santa bringing each child 3 gifts (symbolic of the gifts the wise men brought). We liked the tie-in to the Nativity and practically speaking, by the time there were stocking stuffers and gifts from Mom & Dad (not to mention extended family) this is MORE than enough.
I am a minimalist. Clutter makes me crazy. I tend to keep the kids' toy supply culled to a manageable level. I purge closets often. I have made my wishes clear to gift-buying family members to try and keep gifts with lots of parts at bay. I like wooden toys and simple things that require imagination. Yet, somehow, yesterday I found myself in Toys R Us piling noisy, plastic, shiny junk in my cart. I actually paged my husband from the store because as I surveyed all the stuff, I knew I needed accountability quick! I just could not stay away from the lure of the commercial, holiday frenzy. It was so much fun to ponder gifts and imagine the expressions on the kids' faces when they received them. Even after I put back the majority of the things, I spent over an hour "just looking" and considering how much they would enjoy their gifts. It was an indescribable feeling. Is there anything better than giving gifts?
Then today my sister called (after reading the blog) to make sure K was going to get a baby & a stroller. I was almost offended. Of course we will get her that! It is all she really wants. She has been asking for a month. I cannot WAIT to give it to her. Then I remembered this passage.
Matthew 7:9-11 (New Living Translation)
9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
My prayer for you all (since the majority of my readers are Moms) is that Christmas morning as your heart is full of joy at giving and seeing your beloved receive, you will be reminded of how deeply loved you are by your Heavenly Father who was overjoyed to give us His Only Son.
Merry Christmas!
9 comments:
Thank you for your encouraging words.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
Kim
Well written, Jen. And yes, giving gifts is so much fun, and it's a good thing we have our hubbies to keep us accountable and give us budgets. :) We, too, strive for the wooden toys or the ones that inspire the imagination. I've found some great catalogues that have met most of those needs that the stores don't offer. Not to mention, made shopping much easier. :) Hope you all enjoy this Christmas with your family and little ones.
That was wonderful! Thanks for such a great perspective. I think sometimes we loose sight of what's really important in life!
I think a little spoiling is ok. Have a great weekend!!!
Gwen
My husband, in all seriousness, asked me today if we had bought the boys enough gifts. I just looked at him in horror. If we buy one more toy, we're going to have to buy a bigger house:) We'll begin the old-toy purging next week!
And last night at church during our Christmas service, I was struck at how God could give His beautiful Son in exchange for such a broken, hateful people. Me included. Sometimes I forget the magnitude of His gift to me.
I hope you and yours have a wonderful, joy-filled Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Blessings to you all!
Jen - have a great Christmas with your beautiful, funny family. This one will be so much fun for you.
Merry Christmas, my friend.
How wonderfully put. I do get very excited about gift giving myself. I too want to buy it all at the Toys R Us. It all lokks fun. Then you have to stop and think......do they really need this. huh????
I hope you have a great Christmas.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas all together making fabulous memories....
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