I am always so happy when we reach 21 December because it means that the sun will start to stay longer each day. I so much need the sunlight to feel good.
I having been working frantically to get all the things done for the season. Today I mailed out the DVD's so I am glad that is done. I thought I would be able to just mail them since they are in a regular card envelope and it turns out I had to fill out a customs form on every last one. Ugh. But I am glad it is finished.
Another thing on my mind right now is that today was the kids last day for their respective KiGas. It will be nice that I don't have to under pressure to get Jenna ready to go out the door by 7:45. Last week and this she has come home from KiGa bearing lots of gifts and food. It has been a Christmas party fest there apparently. But I agonized a bit if I should have gotten a little gift for all her teacher and for the bus driver and assistant. I know the bus driver and asst. gave her a present (since I was there). I decided not to because it is their job (and they are paid) and I had no idea what to get them.
I don't know if I mentioned this in past years (and I am too lazy to go back and read) but I really struggle with gift giving. I know it always bothered me as a child because I was 3rd of 8 and it was hard to come up with gifts for all with the money I had. I saw how most of the things I did get were tossed aside and meant nothing even though I thought hard about what to get them. As I grew up I agonized because I could think of what would be a great gift for friends and others but didn't have the funds. Because of this I never liked giving gifts. I don't know what others have and if it is my hard-earned money, I wnat it to be something useful or needed, but at least liked by the person. Sometimes I have had to just give a token gift because that is all I could do, but I hate that. I don't like the pressure of all the fit giving to so many people. I can handle it with my kids and a few close friends (and it is no problem with sending out home-made things like my DVDs because I know no one has them and will always like them!) and a family photo. Some people's love language is gifts but mine is not! I remember that gifts and things are just tokens of the real gift, which should be ourselves--that I am always happy to give!
Posted by Krista at December 21, 2007 03:15 PMKrista, I agree with so much of what you said about gift giving. I really don't like the idea of giving something just to give a gift. DVDs of the children are perfect. This year we asked Philip's sister to write Thomas a story. She is a gifted writer and her story to him is wonderful. Two summers ago we bought an old (special) mustang from my Grandfather and even though he was happy for the car to find a new home with us, I knew he missed having it around at his home. Our special present to him this year is a painting we commissioned (from my cousin who is a high school art teacher) of the car. We do send a lot of pictures to our family for presents and I want to maybe do DVDs in the future. BUT - I want to keep life and home simple and authentic.
Posted by: Vickie at December 21, 2007 06:22 PMOh, I could write term papers on my issues with gifts -- giving and receiving. My mother in law gave me a number and told me to make up a list of stuff I want, just for me -- not for the kids or the betterment of the family. I can't do it -- I think I spent like 1/4 of it. I'm terrified that I'll regret my choices. I could get some really nice yarn, but frankly I have a lot of yarn waiting to be used, so that would be wasteful, right? (The whole crappy thought process just goes on and on . . .)
I'm fairly good at giving gifts when the spirit moves me, but I get very resentful of trying to make the spirit move at designated times. And then I feel bad for feeling resentful. (Again, it just goes on and on . . .)
Sometimes I wonder if part of the reason I converted to Judaism was to avoid Christmas, lol.
Posted by: Meira at December 22, 2007 04:40 PMI could have written your post. If I could get a meaningful gift that is priced well, then it would be worth it. But to just get a gift for it to be tossed aside?
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU & GUNTER & THE KIDS!!!!
Posted by: Kari at December 24, 2007 02:32 AM