One word: Shopping. And the root cause of shopping - presents.
Do I really need a paragraph on Black Friday? Suffice to say, we have a tradition of staying at home for the 3 days following Thanksgiving. Just in case some zombie shoppers get lost on the way to the mall.
But why do normal people suddenly become ravenous over store sales? Oh right, because if little Timmy doesn't get all 3 gaming consoles, a new computer AND and Tickle-Me Elmo this year, he'll cry. That may be a bit of exaggeration... well, no, not really. Yes, Jesus is the Reason etc, and we give gifts to each other because God gave us the greatest gift ever... wait, isn't salvation tied to the resurrection? Don't we already have a holiday for that?
If you've ever said something along the lines of: "We still need a fourth gift for Grandma, and a more stuffers (trans. items for a stocking) for Bobby so he'll have more stuff to open than Cousin Bill"....stop, sit, think.
1. You've probably already complained at least once that your kids never play with their new toys more than a few days after Christmas.
2. You've definitely complained that your kids have too much stuff. And no, grandparents aren't the only reason.
3. You are probably dreading whatever useless and/or ugly knick-knack Aunt Marge is going give you this year.
Why not just cut the madness? Yes, Jesus got a bunch of cool baby stuff...ok, only the gold was cool, the frankincense and myrrh were symbolic...but that's still only 3 presents. And he's JESUS, savior of the world, son of God, etc. And YOU need a pile of presents because...? That's what I thought.
We're instituting the 1 present rule for family, and I can say Dan is only getting a few things he really needs anyway. If we had kids, they'd be getting the figurative socks and underwear, with A chocolate santa. Seriously, the gift I want most is to wake up in my own home on Christmas morning and spend a quiet day with those I love most. If I get some new bath salts too... woo! And I can say from experience - parents, if Christmas presents are your way of "making it up" to your kids... the kids will still need therapy, and so do you.
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