Having a Ball as Mrs. Claus

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!