tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515000110602101590.post8615798757605298091..comments2023-09-27T07:03:36.933-05:00Comments on The Little Things: Bah Humbug!Wendy Thibault Kanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02637879072446367186noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515000110602101590.post-83341752404135056212011-11-18T12:18:31.484-06:002011-11-18T12:18:31.484-06:00Yes, I've seen the Advent Conspiracy video. (I...Yes, I've seen the Advent Conspiracy video. (It's done in "kinetic typography", or so Jim tells me! New word for the day!) I like it and agree with it wholeheartedly. I've also seen the book "Christmas is Not Your Birthday" by Michael Slaughter, but I haven't read it. I was going to mention those things in the post but wasn't sure where to fit it in. <br /><br />I did ok last year simplifying things. I'm trying to start buying the girls less stuff. They are getting old enough to appreciate things that are smaller and cost more. lol! Then I can hopefully keep J4's gifts manageable before he grows up enough to realize he's getting less than his sisters once did. I'm also trying to encourage my family to get the kids gift certificates or to agree to take them places. I know that when I think of my most favorite childhood memories, they involve places we went and things we did more than stuff I got. For example, I'll never forget the Christmas I got my bike. THAT was cool! But that's only 1 Christmas out of 16? 18? I mean, I can think of a few other special gifts but probably not more than 5 that I truly remember. <br /><br />I'm with you on the decorating thing! Oh, I've got decorations, and we certainly put them up. But I finally quit subscribing to Southern Living and feeling bad b/c my house would be nowhere near close to how theirs look. Viva la difference! lol!Wendy Thibault Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02637879072446367186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515000110602101590.post-48043130638073541842011-11-18T07:09:01.884-06:002011-11-18T07:09:01.884-06:00Have you seen the Advent Conspiracy promo video? h...Have you seen the Advent Conspiracy promo video? http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ It's very eye-opening. You're right on track--the way we do Christmas is NOT what God had in mind!<br /><br />Last year I felt really good about our gift-giving. We spent little on extended family, even less on ourselves (since my kids are little they're still delighted with used toys from Rhea Lana's), and we gave a LOT. Sometimes I worry that others might think we're cheap or stingy. But then I think, "So what?" (A thought that does NOT come naturally for me!) We aren't seeking others' approval; we just have to please God.<br /><br />Lately I've had the tendency to get stressed about decorating. I think I'm supposed to turn the house into a magical wonderland for Christmas. But I'm NOT good at decorating, I don't like it, and I get intimidated even thinking about going in Hobby Lobby. So why am I letting it get to me? Just don't do it, and focus on what I'm good at and enjoy. (Like baking. :) ) I don't mean forego all decoration; I'll still do a little. But it isn't going to look like a magazine photo out of Southern Living, so I need to quit worrying about it.<br /><br />Praying for your family to find the right balance in Christmas. I think it looks different for everybody, as God leads you to both celebrate within your family and be a blessing to those outside it.Jenniferhttp://jennifer.felio.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515000110602101590.post-87966170130909494932011-11-17T17:13:37.233-06:002011-11-17T17:13:37.233-06:00I am completely with you on this Wendy. I have beg...I am completely with you on this Wendy. I have begun to really appreciate the thoughtful little things that people do rather than a gift. Maybe it's my Love Language. Maybe I'm tired of Christmas showing up in the store before they've taken down the Halloween Decorations. I want my kids to understand the REAL reason for Christmas....not the gifts--even though that's fun, but HIM.Soaring Highhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12292362387467787646noreply@blogger.com