I admit it, sometimes it’s hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit. I know it’s terrible to say it and I feel like a Scrooge, but it’s true. I get really annoyed with Christmas decorations out in stores long before Thanksgiving is over. I can’t listen to cheesy Christmas music (Santa Baby, anyone?) non-stop for weeks. I just can’t do it. Mostly, I don’t like the idea that in order to enjoy Christmas, you need tons of STUFF.
When I start to get these Grinch-like feelings, I have to shift my focus. My faith makes Christmas a very significant holiday for me. I love what Christmas means. You know, the real meaning. I love going to church on Christmas Eve and thinking about the birth of Jesus. I love spending time with my family in front of a cozy fire, and eating loads of food in sweatpants and watching football. I love playing board games and yelling and being loud with my crazy family. I love the annual Christmas party my best friends and I have. Memories, not money.
Just thinking about these things make me so excited. A quick switch of perspective is all it takes. Just because the world has commercialized Christmas, it doesn’t mean it has to be that way in my life. I’m enjoying the little things this year and I couldn’t be happier.
What do you do to keep from getting caught up in the commercial chaos of the holidays?
December 8, 2010 at 2:44 pm
This is so true. I should have thought of this while writing my blog yesterday. It’s totally about the little things. I think next year I will put a lot more thought into what we can do to create even more traditions that help us to remember that the season is not about things.