My first taste of Christmas this year was actually in October.
October.
There is a group of men that meets at our house every Tuesday. One of them works for Walgreens, the popular drugstore. He was a little stressed because the shipment of Christmas decor had arrived and needed to be put up. I don’t remember what he said after that because all I could think about was how it wasn’t even November yet and how I’m really, really not ready for two entire months of Christmas.
I love the season, but two months of Christmas is, for me, like eating a huge helping of dessert for dinner, and then having dessert after my dessert dinner. It’s just too much.
When I was a kid, the Christmas season (now renamed “the holiday season” to avoid offending delicate sensitivities) existed only for a few weeks, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. I loved the music and the lights and of course I loved presents. But every year since I’ve enjoyed it less. It’s part attitude, I know, but I get stressed about finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list, and making the list in the first place. And then there’s travel plans and family expectations and holiday parties and everything gets so crammed and rushed. ”Peace on earth,” my foot-it often feels like the least peaceful time of year.
And that’s why, when I saw this video last night, I found it very refreshing.
It has a trendy name (“Advent Conspiracy?”) and a flashy video but it’s a pretty simple idea. I will recap for those of you who cannot watch the film:
- Buy less stuff. Some people even buy nothing.
- Spend more time with friends and family.
- Take that money you didn’t spend on gifts and give it to someone who needs it more than you do. (You could buy someone a goat!)
I know it’s a little awkward to be the one pulling back from Christmas. But someone’s got to do it, or it’s going to keep getting crazier. And I firmly believe that the season will be more meaningful when it’s surrounded in less stuff.
Kelly and I will be participating in the Advent Conspiracy this year. Will you?
Great idea; I love it!
Tee-hee. I totally agree. Drives me crazy! Christmas + age = way less fun. I have certainly heard of lots of people doing alternative things. One couple that I talked to the other day takes their family on a family skiing trip over the Christmas vacation time. More time, less stress. No more pine needles.
Kisses,
Megan
Great thoughts. I like the ideas of http://www.buyhandmade.org/ but now I want to buy some goats.
Another thing that makes me feel better is saying no. There are so many parties and work parties and sometimes is just nice to sit home and listen to carols and drink hot chocolate and look at the tree and you just have to turn some things down.
I will say having kids helps rekindle some of the magic as you can try to teach the real reason for Christmas.
Our family came to a similar conclusion recently. Over the summer we all talked together and decided to set aside the money that we would have used to buy each other presents and use it to go on a trip together. The upshot of this is that we rented a vacation home in a quaint little ante-bellum mansion in Georgia where we will spend a week fellowshipping together.
We’re so excited.
The entire season feels different already! My sister Lisa and I were just talking last night about how much we’re loving the experience of getting excited about the season without feeling any pressure whatsoever. It’s magical!