Christmas is an exciting time for new things, new gifts & treats. It's fun to think about giving gifts to our children or receiving some ourselves. I know some people love this opportunity, but I'm not in love with the gifts per say. I do love the idea of giving of course, and seeing our children get excited over something new. But it gives me anxiety to give, wanting to give something that is valued. I have the same issue with receiving, I want it to be worth that person's cost. Mr Smith may tell you I still love receiving packages. I mean even if you bought it, who doesn't love getting them, but sometimes it can become too much. Perhaps I just don't have the gift of gift giving.
My kids still don't know what to ask for & are only starting to show interest in particular things. I have a hard time at this age too because gratitude doesn't always come naturally & I despise nothing more than not appreciating a gift. I may sound like a hypocrite here, but that's also why I discourage receiving any myself, even from Mr Smith. I have a hard time knowing what I truly need/want in order to balance this concept of value in my mind. Did I get the best value can be an annoying principle of mine. I get to some, this isn't necessary, they just want to treat you to something different, or something they enjoyed selecting or were able to give.
Long story short, Christmas has become a lot about gifts, so much so that at age 4 I'm having a hard time trying to bring Christ back into Christmas for my child. Yes, she knows Christmas celebrates Christ, but what about Him? Why is Christ truly something to celebrate? After all these years, we still read about His life & try to follow Him. We believe He existed on earth centuries ago and can only have faith He walked & talked as the scriptures say. Why do we have faith in Him? How can we strengthen that faith? These are important questions that get washed away in me searching for Amazon deals or discounts at various department stores. It's hard to resist the urge, but one I need to better balance. I'm not sure just giving more than I receive is the answer. Maybe not caring about what we receive & giving where we can is the answer.
I love the #lighttheworld inspiration or the "12 days of Christmas" several friends I know do. I think it's important to realize the people around us who serve us in ways we may not realize; I think it's important to show gratitude to anyone in our lives. At this stage in my life, we don't honestly come in contact with many on a day-to-day basis. Someone made me their friend through a quick encounter at the library, but that's rare. Other than that, we really do just have our postman or a neighbor. There are those in our ward that teach my children or visit me that should be appreciated. No matter how limited, gratitude can be found. We only managed to leave a note & treat for the post man. We left some treats to our neighbors & took some other baked goods to those I visit teach. I'd love to spend this year thinking of ways we can do more next year to give & show gratitude in a bigger way. Sometimes the simple conversation is good, but Christmas is a time to step it up, and that's why everyone loves it so, unless they overstep. I've seen those stressed out people too.
Besides Dallin not giving up his bag of cookies to our neighbor, it is usually something kids enjoy doing (but what if they don't get a cookie too?). I just need to see the world outside my own limited experiences. So I'll be taking recommendations on how to get more involved WITH my kids.
This year was still great. Mr Smith (and the Smiths in general) are not tradition-type people. Mr Smith isn't even a supporter of Santa. I try to stay neutral & believe kids can dream & enjoy the magical side of Christmas so long as the focus is on the reality of Christ. Again, not always an easy balance. I like certain things about Christmas that maybe we could call traditional:
1. Photo with Santa while the kids are young.
2. Setting up the Christmas tree. And I like getting a few new ornaments each year. Reading the story of the Three Trees.
3. Reading a new Christmas-ish book & keeping a collection of Christmas stories
4. Baking something for our neighbors & friends
5. Getting pictures of the kids playing in the first winter snow
6. Getting pictures in their Christmas Sunday best (a family picture is a lofty goal)
7. Kids Christmas pajamas photos (even if just pajamas we already had) & letting them open one present Christmas Eve.
8. Allowing the kids to think Santa fills their stockings
9. Telling the story of Jesus's birth from the scriptures. Doesn't always have to be a play.
10. Playing Christmas songs all December long as well as watching any Christmas movies.
11. Driving around (or walking if you live somewhere cool) & letting the kids see Christmas lights. Maybe next time we can bring hot cocoa along.
12. Making a special meal Christmas Eve night & Christmas morning
13. Taking turns opening presents, and even taking breaks to enjoy what has been given
14. Video messages with family while we live far apart.
15. Visiting with friends & family that are close, especially for the kids to enjoy
I think I'd like to start helping Lexi more with gifting something for her family & friends. I'd like to get more involved in the community. The ward party supplied us with a bag to give to someone homeless. This is a great thing to have on hand. Maybe such things will come easier when they get a little older, but I know habits are important.
The spirit of Christmas is real regardless of whether or not we have little or a lot to give because Christ is real. We have to find balance in our lives in what we can do best. And hopefully my motives are how to make a special event, Christ's birth, special to remember.
Things were really simple this year since we are far from close family & friends. My childhood memories are in the past, but I can still carry on what made Christmas special for me. I actually ended up sick with a cold/sinus infection Christmas Eve & day. Mr Smith & I have been living off a lot of interrupted sleep this past week. Everyone has a runny nose so calm is what we needed. We have been blessed with a white Christmas for the past several years & it's wonderful to watch it fall and enjoy being with one another (from the inside) and enjoying new things.
But speaking of new things...
This year Lexi enjoyed a new dollhouse I got for free & Dad fixed up. That came early. We surprised her with a bike & then she gifted her balance bike to Dallin. I also got them one of my favorite childhood books "Going on a Bear Hunt" and she responded well to Rosie Revere Engineer. She likes to make things too ;) I caved & bought Dallin the Fisher Price school bus.
Gammi & my grandmother sent lots of surprise gifts. They've both enjoyed the VTech learning table. They also enjoyed the advent tree that allowed Lexi to know how many days until Christmas without asking me. Gammi replaced mom's rice cooker with an instant pot early this month & I've enjoyed learning to cook with that! And now we can visit Cafe Rio on a date night too.
Mom & Dad try to exchange minimal gifts. We added some candy to dad's pile. He picked out several new books. Mom has been enjoying the heart necklace. Maybe we'll say the used keyboard we got earlier this month is for us too. Otherwise, our general ability to serve each other without bitterness is always good ;) Maybe one day we'll get a romantic vacation?! HAHA. Aunt Becky gifted the wooden nativity pictured that I love (it's durable)!
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