Deb and Barbara: Today we talk about whether we could or couldn't celebrate Christmas without gifts (a hint: we are honest but not proud).
And on that note: Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, happy day to those who don't, and to everyone on every day, we wish you love, peace, and joy!
I do love the gifts as well. But you know what? I think it's more about the "giving" than the "receiving". Don't you? I love shopping for family and friends and love watching them open their gifts and the happiness they get from them. I love to surprise them. When you think about the "gift" part of Christmas, don't you think you get more pleasure from the giving part?
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Deb and Barb and thank you for the gift you give us everyday. xo
Jo I totally agree! Last night as I was filling Colin and Luke's and Mom and Dad's stockings, I was so excited knowing that they are going to love all the little things in there. Always more exciting to give. Always more fulfilling to give. totally agree!
DeleteYes! Th giving is the best! Deb, I loved what you said! It must feel so precious to get those little gifts <3
DeleteYes, Jo, giving is absolutely part of the delight and customs! Still, part of me wishes I could be that cool mensch who doesn't care :)
DeleteHAHA! Ohh I could give a big hug If I could right now!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS! Well, I'm a gifts person too. I dont care what they are as long as the person who gave them have love for me in their hearts! (Bitter gifts have bitter vibes..argh) My mom HATES gifts and she never let me have gifts on my birthday too. But Ive always been a gifts person. I dont get many gifts, thats a different thing. But Ive started not expecting things now.
I dwell on creating amazing memories instead. You see, gifts make you happy for a little while. Memories stay forever. Then it could even be of a really sweet gift.
I'm a LOA person, so Happy memories is what I feast on! Because they aid me in dark times too. So my point is if you cant give gifts, give memories instead! But I'll love giving or getting gifts+memories.
The paintings I did for you girls was a gift for you. But there was a reason I wanted to see your faces when you saw them. That is an IMMORTAL MEMORY for me. Now, if I ever feel disappointed or anxious about my painting skills I can relive that memory and feel good again! Its all about feeling good! So I collect as many happy memories as I can. And then relive them just for the fun of it!
I havent had many gifts in my life, but When I start celebrating Christmas (that'd be next year) I want it WITH GIFTS. Getting them and giving them. WITH LOVE and MEMORIES!!!! :D
(Barb, its 6:54! :D)
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! I wish y'all lots of happiness, peace, love, joy and every positive word you can think about on everyday of your lives!!! And if you dont feel that way, OWN THAT TOO! AND HANG IN THERE COZ THINGS GET BETTER And become HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY AGAIN!
LOVE Y'ALL!!! <3 xoxoxo <3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRzhd3eUyO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-0WVfj76bo
Ive sent these before but their sooo darn cute! I had to again!
Thanks, Shalaka! Starting the merriment right now already with my family coming in from far and wide to celebrate all together.
DeleteThanks so much Shalaka for all your gifts. I will watch the videos later tonight. We have a busy and festive day!!! xo
ReplyDeleteOfcourse!! You have fun munching on the ginger bread house! :D Eat for me too! :D xo
DeleteOh and Deb!! I forgot to wish your wonderful parents! I hope this is their BEST Christmas so far !!!! I wish they Health, Happiness and Lots of Joy!! Give them BIG BIG HUGS AND LOTS OF LOVE from me xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI feel you two give us gifts everyday by blogging. Wishing you all the happiness, peace and good health for the New year. I am a giver and I give gifts all year long to friends. Also, for every gift you give try giving something to a charity, or some strangers or pay it forward. Giving always makes me feel terrific.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Madge! Beautiful. And thanks to you too for all your gifts.
DeleteFor a couple of years my husband and I didn't give gifts to one another. There was no altrustic motive behind it we were just broke and it mattered more to us to have a Chirstmas party with friends rather than gifts for ourselves under the tree. We did still buy some gifts for our daughter and for a few family members but that was all. It didn't bother me in the slightest to not recieve anything but I don't think I could not give anything and still feel completly satisfied. It would feel like something was missing, gifts are just part of my Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a perfect measurement, right there: if it came down to either giving or receiving, I would totally still prefer to give. Since Christmas was never really a religious celebration for me, I guess that's why gifts do make it what it was and is. That might still change as I get older though...
DeleteOh and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!! MERRY, MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! Merry Merry Christmas to you and yours. Soooo much love. I'll check in when I can later, but festivities are just about to start!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I haven't shared gifts for many years now. It started as let's spend all the gift money on the two boys. Then as we got older it moved to well we have whatever we need and buy what ever we want so really why focus on a specific day. And now as we are really even older ( I hate how that happens but it does!) we have moved to we have so much and others don't so we take what we would spend and give it to the toronto santa claus fund. I have grown up with guilt as many have and find myself sometimes feeling way guilty about what I have and what others don't - and this time of the year seems to highlight that feeling even more. As pollyanna as it sounds I get way more out of thinking that some child has something that they may not have had. (And not that I don't spend a small fortune on a grand daughter and her two parents! And a niece and nephew. That makes me happy.) To me the spirit of christmas is more about giving and I get a mini high on it so that's my gift. It is whatever makes you feel happy and if gifts do it - hey the fact that we find what makes us happy is a gift in itself. Enjoy your christmas - here's to a happy, healthy and fun one.
ReplyDeleteDorothy
first, I love the background! The lighted tree is so perfect! It makes our town look so un-festive....is that even a word?? Oh well
ReplyDeleteAs for me I need the gifts for it to be Xmas. Without gifts it is just thanksgiving with a tree in the living room. Xmas is about family and I love seeing them open gifts and then the huge piles of wrapping paper all over. I could go with just one small gift. quantity doesn't matter. But I think at least one gift for everybody makes xmas what it is for me. .....maybe I have the wrong attitude towards this all but as long as I can I am getting gifts for everyone!!
Happy holidays to everyone!! <3
Thanks, Kelly, great thought. Hope it was lovely!
DeleteWe do a giving tree, to help others. We give gifts to each other in our family. It is a way to we give reminders of our love. Since we are doing new tradions this year, we are giving each other gag gifts.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for the gift of this blog. I look forward to more next year.
Merry Christmas.
Heidi
Gag gifts is a great idea! Love that. And thank you for being here. xoxo
DeleteThank you Ladies for the Christmas blog! For me the real reason for the whole Santa Claus thing is for the children and about the children. I don't think we as a society make them enough of a priority. So even this has become about what who can buy for whom. I don't want to feel guilty if I can't afford gifts for all my adult friends and family and I don't expect it from them. Even my own children who are adults now understand that and even growing up knew the holiday was about the birth of baby Jesus. So this year and from now on I'll do what I can to bring back the magic for my nieces and nephews Sebastian, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Gabriella, Logan, Carrie and most of all my granddaughter Mariella. And I know for me there is still something very spiritual about Christmas because I still can't listen to Mary Did you Know without crying (I'll include a link)
ReplyDelete""Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more?" --The Grinch from, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
http://youtu.be/f0V05-hEJZM
This is such a great point, Mary. In fact, I wish I'd been more specific about my gift "expectations" in the blog. I could never not give the kids in my life a present. And I truly enjoy the exchange ritual among my immediate family. But as for extended gifts beyond that, not necessary! Thanks for the Grinch quote! xo
DeleteThank you Barbara since my mom is a Seus (with one S) I have always favored the good Dr.
DeleteI could easily have Christmas without the gifts, though I do love to give them. I have never been the sort to actually ask for anything for Christmas or birthday, but I like getting gifts too.
ReplyDeleteHere is a little something from this Shakespeare-Nerd: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Much Love to you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WZvS3xpmFA
Thanks for this, Steph!! xo
DeleteGifts or no gifts, it makes no difference to me. I don't mind if I don't get any birthday presents either. I would probably forget to get something to those who I buy gifts if Xmas was not so well advertised. :) Giving is good, and I try to find something that is needed. I'd like to 'give a cow'but some of my friends don't like that type of gifts.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Thanks for the laugh, Kasku! And for the wishes xo
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