Are you saying that you did not like Christmas because you didn't have much money to spend? I have been in that position before, and on a couple of Christmases even burst into tears because I was so disappointed at the meager number and quality of presents. Then, finally, sometime in my late forties I grew up a little and decided that Christmas could possibly be enjoyed more as a sensual experience than as a time go collect material goodies. So now I buy lots of birdseed, and corn cobs for the squirrels, and spend a lot of time looking out the window watching the neighborhood animals enjoy the bounty. I buy fresh catnip for my own kitties, new cat toys, and watch them cavort in a silly way. There are lots of beautiful smells like frankencense and bayberry, singing for the ears, and of course some opportunities for kissing under the mistletoe.
I don't think our ancestors celebrated winter with the exchange of huge gifts. I believe they kept each other warm and cheerful at a cold and unforgiving time of the year. One thing I might suggest that worked for me is to take Christmas and make it a day that I really treat myself to small pleasures. We went to a matinee this year, and will probably make it a tradition because it was so much fun. I was surprised at how many couples and families do this--we went to a theatre with six screens, and all of the films were sold out. A long walk in the woods or at the beach or wherever is pretty near your house can be memorable. Does anyone really need more stuff? My husband and I asked for Hollywood Video gift certificates this year, because we wanted more experiences, not more stuff to sell next year at our garage sale.
I once worked with a Marine officer who was also a doctor--he was about to become a vascular surgeon. He had five children under the age of nine, and a wife who didn't work. I don't think money was a horrible struggle for them, but they also wanted to teach their children what was really important about values, and one of the things they believed in was that people were more important than Christmas presents. So they took their entire holiday budget and used it to fly all the children's cousins and their parents out for a visit. The girls got paper dolls, and the boys got yo-yos and balls, and that was absolutely it as far as presents went. But the children all had wonderful memories of that Christmas, which is far better to me than the crass materialism we usually celebrate that doesn't mean much, or really satisfy people on an emotional level.
Well, Mike, that might have been a little boring or something, but I didn't mention your butt at all!!!!!!!! ;^) |
