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Originally Posted by MauiGirl  Ok, this thread has now got me re-thinking some of my obligatory gifting.
I think it's time for me to stop sending generous checks to certain stepchildren and stepgrandchildren who have not even acknowledged or thanked me in the last 6 or more years. They are all adults now, could easily send me an email, text or phone thanks, but nothing. I'm done. The only way I even know they got the gift is that they signed the back of the check and cashed it. I'd rather give that money to a total stranger who needs and appreciates it.
Wow. That was as liberating as throwing away a card. |
Good for you! If everyone viewed Christmas as a time to celebrate and cherish things they felt were important, in the way they felt them to be important, then I believe the spirit of Christmas would truly return. Commercialism has ruined what Christmas should be which is a time for reflection and appreciating those close to you and everything you HAVE ..not appreciating or anticipating what you MAY receive from people whom you have no relationship with etc....
SO HAPPY for your revelation!
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Originally Posted by MauiGirl Oh, believe me the traditional (although commercial) Christmas spirit is alive and well in my house. My house is decorated, cookies being baked, presents overflowing under the tree, mostly for my 10 year old granddaughter who will appreciate and remember every single thing, fabulous food has been planned and friends and neighbors will be coming over throughout the week.
My daughter and I have been buying tons of toys at Ross for the past month, and she will take her SUV full of toys to the local Women's shelter, where kids we will never know, who's moms are unable to get them anything will get a wonderful Christmas. And the checks that I have decided not to send to certain individuals this year will be given instead to the Maui Food Bank, the Women's Shelter and the Salvation Army.
And even though temps will be in the 80's, it's all good, we have plenty of spirit here. |
You needn't justify yourself at all... I completely agree with you. No one has anything against sharing (including me) but when it's not truly sharing, when it's trying to get cards out the door cuz your mom or MIL taught you that was what you SHOULD do, or you buy the kids the most expensive presents because you feel like a failure if you don't (cuz the card company's or the commercials tell you so...) that is the failure of Christmas as a vast majority now know it..
Therefore, share and acknowledge and have Christmas in your own way! If that means no Christmas cards (as it will for me) then so be it...
As it is, my English husband is making his American wife (me) an Australian themed BBQ for Christmas Eve and we will have Christmas dinner at his parents. There will be no gifts and no cards but there will be love and that is what is important...not someone else's view on how I should celebrate my holiday. I grew out of caring what people thought about me when I do not conform to their thoughts at about the age of 4..
Welcome to freedom!!!!!