With Christmas only five days away many of you may be feeling some extra pressure to get everything done in time. Are you overwhelmed? The reality is, you’ve got a lot going on right now. It’s inevitable.
Don’t forget, kids are also feeling the pressure. Remember those childhood fears that maybe Santa would put your name on the naughty list? Did he really see everything? December was always filled with warnings from my parents that “Santa’s watching!”
It’s important to gain some perspective on the holiday, as we run from store to store finishing up the list. While on our maternity leave, Jason and I have had the TV on in the background here and there, as we feed and care for little Lucy. (Fun Fact: We’ve already changed over 100 diapers… and she’s only thirteen days old!) There is a Best Buy commercial that I’ve seen about a bazillion times and every time I see it, I cringe. Apparently their new slogan is “You, Happier.” They are selling the concept that if you buy one of their products you will, in fact, be happier. What a concept: “stuff” will make you happy. Yikes. What a trap, especially this time of year.
As you race to get it all done, remember that the materialistic aspect of the holidays is only there if you make it about the “stuff.” Relationships, traditions, faith, laughter, and love… these are the components of a “happy” holiday, not a new DVD player or flat screen TV.
To me, when I think of living a happy life, I think it can be summarized by this awesome quote. I apologize that I don’t know who said it…
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO HOO what a ride!'”
Enjoy your wild ride this week… and remember Santa’s watching.
K & J,
First let me say you guys are a great inspiration and we feel blessed to know you. We are so happy for you and little Lucy.
What a great post. Over the last few years we have GREATLY reduced the gift giving and “stuff” of the holidays. We are more about memories and fun. I can only remember about 2 gifts I ever recieved on Christmas day but I remember the stuff we did and the places we went. That is the stuff we want to impart to our children.
I heard another quote and, like you, don’t know who said it but it said, “Live your life so the preacher will not have to lie at your funeral.” It goes hand in hand with the greedy, stuff centered focus of the holidays instead of Christ centered family and friend focus.
From down here in Florida, we wish you the very best Christmas and New Year. Hopefully we will actually get to meet someday. Until then, keep up the good work and we will talk to you soon!!
Cubby
I am so glad to have found your blog! I agree with you 100%.
“Relationships, traditions, faith, laughter, and love… these are the components of a “happy” holiday, not a new DVD player or flat screen TV.”
This is absolutely true and the quote I’ve read before and LOVE it!
Happy Holidays!
Спасибо за интересное сообщение. Не ругайтесь если не туда, но как с админом сайта связаться?
I love that visual – screaming “Woo hoo!” Thanks so much for your perspectives and helping us maintain perspective in this busy, busy holiday season. Merry First Christmas to Lucy!
Hi Kim (and Jason),
100 diapers – fun stuff, huh!!!
I love the whole concept of this post, Kim. The concept of “you, happier” is not necessarily bad – if the context is that you’re finding what it is, deep down, that makes “you” happy. And that’s not things. That’s a great point. We can so easily get wrapped up on the whole concept of consumerism. More, more, more (things, things, things). And yet, do any of these really “buy” us happiness? No, they all end up being superficial.
That said, gifts that have real meaning – that come from the heart – these are the “things” that matter. Along with traditions, faith, family, laughter…
A wonderful post at this time of year Kim – what are we really celebrating??
Thanks for that post. It’s a great reminder. I’ve been somewhat down lately because with no job, I haven’t really been able to afford to do Christmas shopping, and it’s been kind of tough to get in the Christmas spirit. Then we watched “A Christmas Carol” the other night (well, it took us 2 nights, thanks to a surprise power outage), and it reminded me that Christmas isn’t about buying presents. It’s avout spending time with family, being thankful, and above all, celebrating the birth of our Savior. That was a great way of getting me in the spirit (no pun intended).
I figured out a way to do shopping, so I just got home from doing all my Christmas shopping in record time, and I’m making the rest. God is good.
Er, make that ABOUT, not avout… :)