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Originally Posted by gemy  I have to say this thread makes me very sad about the future of Christmas. It is a time of giving and of loving, of reaching out to folks you mayhap only reach out to at Christmas.
It is not about obligatory gifts be they Christmas cards or presents. You don't gift or send a card in expectation of a return gift, or even a thank-you. When you give from your heart, free of expectations, that is in the *true* spirit of Christmas.
I fondly remember my parents who started in the beginning of November to write hand written notes to their far flung family, then purchased Christmas cards to go with their notes. They mailed out to USA and Europe, with different delivery dates, but they wanted each and every-one to receive their missive, to let these folks know, they remembered them with fondness and wish them the very best.
In this day and age, I think we have gotten very lazy indeed. And we try to justify that inertia or laziness with various excuses.
So take the heart of this beautifull season and give where and when you can, to those that you love. |
This statement says so much when it comes to why I stopped sending out Christmas cards all together. I guess not all families are so cozy, I know mine isn't. I was sending cards to dozens of family members who I haven't seen nor heard from in many years and who could care less about me or my family when it comes to spreading good cheer. I felt as if I was just wasting my money. We haven't been invited to a family Christmas gathering on my husbands side of the family for over 15 yrs and for mind who I admit are not as close as we could or should be its been almost 4 . So yea that whole spirit of Christmas thing just isn't what it use to be for me. Does that mean that I don't spread Christmas cheer to others, heck No it doesn't. I just do it in other ways. It only takes a Smile or a Merry Christmas as you past a stranger to spread the spirit of Christmas. I don't have to spend any money for cards or stamps to do that . . I would much prefer to do that and brighten a child's or a strangers day than sending a card to someone who could give a rats ass about me or my family !!
As for those people who are important to me who I love dearly believe me they know that I love them, I tell them every chance I get. Just because I don't show it with a gift or card once a year doesn't mean that I love them any less.