This rings so true. It took me two years to realize that babies and toddlers do not care about Christmas gifts and will be very happy with very small things. This year my toddlers Christmas gift will be a book/little treats and going to visit their grandparents (who will get them presents.) I loved the phrase connection over consumption too and will remember it throughout the season.
Yes, I also took a couple of years to realize that my very small children truly were more interested in the wrapping paper than anything else. My three year old told me that she is most excited about visiting her grandparents as well. Small children are quite wise in their way I think! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and New Year.
This is a beautiful reflection on some wise decisions, Becca. Thank you so much for mentioning my stocking post! I'm honored to follow in the footsteps of your mom.
I find that excess at Christmas makes me unhappy, but simple special things help us to celebrate well.
Thank you Dixie! I so enjoyed your stocking post, I've never found that many people who did stockings the way my mum did, apparently it's normal to put the big presents from Santa as well?!
Yes I totally agree, especially if you start celebrating Christmas at the end of November like our culture suggests. The idea of Advent as a penitential season made so much sense as soon as someone explained it to me for precisely this reason.
I've come to nearly the exact conclusion, and starting Advent in mid-November has been a surprisingly good way to shake myself out of the secular commercial season. Reclaim the liturgical year!
Becca, I really appreciate this. 'Connection over consumption' is a beautiful summary of the needs of our families in this time of year. I also loved your encouragement toward generosity and hospitality. I'm always happy to hear stories of others opening their homes during the holidays; my husband and I have lived away from our families for our entire marriage, and every time another family included us in their celebrations we were so very thankful. Now we are in the position of being able to welcome others into our own home, and it brings great joy because I'm reminded of how it felt for me.
Thank you so much Leah. I have been blessed by the hospitality of others when I have been away from home for Christmas, especially when I was living in Australia on my own and a friend's family invited me into their home to spend Christmas Day. It really does make a huge difference, I don't think I will ever forget that Christmas spent lounging by the pool in the middle of the Australian summer!
“…the manic and excessive consumerism that our culture encourages was truly ruining Christmas. Far from being a season of joy and cheer, for many people Christmas is a very stressful experience”. Agree. Fantastic post, Becca! 💗
Thank you so much for your kind words. I wrote this for myself as much as anyone but I’m so glad to know it resonated. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and New Year.
This rings so true. It took me two years to realize that babies and toddlers do not care about Christmas gifts and will be very happy with very small things. This year my toddlers Christmas gift will be a book/little treats and going to visit their grandparents (who will get them presents.) I loved the phrase connection over consumption too and will remember it throughout the season.
Yes, I also took a couple of years to realize that my very small children truly were more interested in the wrapping paper than anything else. My three year old told me that she is most excited about visiting her grandparents as well. Small children are quite wise in their way I think! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and New Year.
This is a beautiful reflection on some wise decisions, Becca. Thank you so much for mentioning my stocking post! I'm honored to follow in the footsteps of your mom.
I find that excess at Christmas makes me unhappy, but simple special things help us to celebrate well.
Thank you Dixie! I so enjoyed your stocking post, I've never found that many people who did stockings the way my mum did, apparently it's normal to put the big presents from Santa as well?!
Yes I totally agree, especially if you start celebrating Christmas at the end of November like our culture suggests. The idea of Advent as a penitential season made so much sense as soon as someone explained it to me for precisely this reason.
I've come to nearly the exact conclusion, and starting Advent in mid-November has been a surprisingly good way to shake myself out of the secular commercial season. Reclaim the liturgical year!
Becca, I really appreciate this. 'Connection over consumption' is a beautiful summary of the needs of our families in this time of year. I also loved your encouragement toward generosity and hospitality. I'm always happy to hear stories of others opening their homes during the holidays; my husband and I have lived away from our families for our entire marriage, and every time another family included us in their celebrations we were so very thankful. Now we are in the position of being able to welcome others into our own home, and it brings great joy because I'm reminded of how it felt for me.
Thank you so much Leah. I have been blessed by the hospitality of others when I have been away from home for Christmas, especially when I was living in Australia on my own and a friend's family invited me into their home to spend Christmas Day. It really does make a huge difference, I don't think I will ever forget that Christmas spent lounging by the pool in the middle of the Australian summer!
That's a wonderful way to spend a Christmas abroad!
“…the manic and excessive consumerism that our culture encourages was truly ruining Christmas. Far from being a season of joy and cheer, for many people Christmas is a very stressful experience”. Agree. Fantastic post, Becca! 💗
Thank you so much for your kind words. I wrote this for myself as much as anyone but I’m so glad to know it resonated. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and New Year.