'Tis the season for baking cookies, singing songs, hot cocoa with peppermint sticks, trimming a tree or 2 exchanging gifts, and merriment. To some, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!" To others it is a great anxiety, stress, depression, financial strain, and good 'ole family fights. Those who are low income, those with a mental health issues diagnosed and not diagnosed fight incredible battles daily during the holiday season. They are some of the most appreciative.
When I was a little girl growing up my parents engraved our soul with the conviction that Christmas is NOT about what/however many presents are under the tree, nor the food that we would feast on, but rather the most selfless gift ever awarded: the birth of Jesus, and the love of family. There was a time when Christmas was celebrated with a simple meal, go to Mass, and enjoy one another's company, and not categorized for how many rolls of wrapping paper you go through.
When I had my first child I was young, dumb, broke and alone. But I gave "The Nerd" (nickname), everything her heart had ever wanted, or dreamed of for a 1 year old, 2 year old, 3 and on. And she ALWAYS needed "just 1 more gift." Every parent so wrapped up in beating each other to the "Tickle Me ELMO" and the coolest toys, next thing ya know you are at the bank applying for a loan to pay for everything you know they don't need. Standards. "Sally next door bought Johnny a PlayStation 5, so now I have to buy Timmy a PlayStation 5 AND an XBOX X." We are not doing our kids any favors. I was a young mom, who wanted to give her baby everything.
When "The Nerd" and "Lula" (yes, another nickname) were roughly 5, I began instilling in them the basic foundation my parents instilled in me and I added an addendum: If the Lord Jesus only received 3 gifts from the Magi around the time he was born, and to not receive any gifts for the remainder of His life, then 3 gifts is good for my kids. 1 from Santa, and the other 2 from me, or visa versa. And no, my kids do not receive lavish gifts, that defeats the purpose. Yes, they still receive gifts from other family members, but they are taught that gifts are bonuses, not standard.
Life is short, don't get hung up on materializing the holiday. Life is about moments, not things.
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