For years I have been trying to figure out how to make the holidays less like a potlatch and more about reaching out with hearts and hands - I have weakly suggested we forgo our family pollyanna in years past and have been shot down... this year I decided that most people would welcome the opportunity to just get together without having to worry about spending money on a trinket gift... will this save us a lot of money? No. of course not. But it MAY help everyone to change their focus... it isn't about the presents. It is about connecting with each other. Pure and simple. Spending time - not money...
This year, the weak economy and tenuous employment situations for many offer each of us an opportunity to really think about what is important. What really makes us happy. Kids too - kids remember and appreciate the time spent with them - the times we focus on them and make them feel special. Take advantage of this time to shift your focus...
Say no to the potlatch... say yes to real connections!
4 comments:
Boy, if you can figure out a way to convince your family to do this, I want your secret!!! I've been saying the same thing, maybe this economic down turn will allow us to celebrate Christmas because we all love each other and not just to spend money we don't have on gifts they don't need.
Well Sandi - Honestly, I just sent the invite and said - don't bring gifts. We aren't doing it this year. We are just going to focus on each other. We'll see how it goes... no one has complained yet. It is only 2 days into it though, LOL!
Yep, we're skipping gifts this year. We're also staying home, most likely. We have enough work do to on the house. We tried suckering relatives to come visit and then be conscript labor, but they saw through our dastardly scheme.
Sorry to hear that Marvin - you too???
I tried that and the same thing happened. I didn't know that I had so many smart relatives!!
Too bad we don't live closer - you could come visit us and I could come visit you and we could help each other!!
Helen, I am all for just the food part - that always was my favorite part anyway!!
LYG MOM
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