Nope, the answer isn't zero this time; its two! We bought the boy child some PJ pants and the girl child a PJ set. They are going to be stoked; it's what every kids longs to see under the Christmas tree. Hey, at least it's not socks and underwear! We took the kids to Disney World, which as it turns out, isn't the happiest place on earth at all times but I will post on that later. The trip was our big family Christmas gift and the kids agreed that they would be fine with just getting stocking stuffers from us. So, since I'm not shopping for my kids, I haven't really been able to get into the buying spirit. What's worse is, the weatherman is predicting our next winter storm to arrive on December 21 or 22. Fabulous. This can only mean one thing: the Christmas present shopping extravaganza marathon must take place THIS WEEKEND! With the impending ice storm of doom being forecasted, I'm just going to go ahead and assume every other Tom, Dick and Harry will also be making a mad Christmas gift buying dash this weekend too.
 |
| parade.com |
Again, fabulous. On the bright side, we did decide to draw names for hub's side of the family which means I only have to buy one adult gift since my family doesn't really exchange adult gifts. Score! All this bah humbug attitude against buying gifts doesn't mean I'm not excited about Christmas. It is my favorite holiday. I'm just sour over the commercialism of it all (Halloween costumes and Christmas trees on the same aisle??), or maybe its the hundreds of spam emails clogging up my inbox or the fact that I can't convince my husband to hang lights up on the house. Okay, enough negativity! Here's the things I LOVE about Christmas (yeah, yeah, I know...another list!):
1. Celebrating the birth of Jesus - the only reason for the season. And, the freedom to do so.
2. Family
3. Food!
4. Christmas vacation - the movie and the time the kids get off school!
5. Christmas music and programs
6. The way people come together to help one another - Angel Tree, food baskets, etc
7. Silver Dollar City. Some people call this the Disney World of the Midwest. They are lying BUT at Christmas time, its beautiful. Lights everywhere, Christmas plays, a giant Christmas tree (that rivals times square) with lights set to the tune of all the best Christmas carols and the light parade. It's a tradition of ours to go every year at this time. It helps that we get free tickets from our family that work there.
8. Hot chocolate, cider and baking
9. Christmas candy
10. Watching the faces of the children in our family light up when opening their gifts.
See, I'm not a complete Grinch!! Here's to wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I'm just not feeling it this year (again!) It's not the same without kids around and that's not happening here. They're all in CT. Good luck with the storm and shopping this weekend.
ReplyDeleteIf I make it out of the shopping frenzy alive, it might just make a great blog post!
DeleteI had some kids at school today ask me if I believed in Santa Claus. You should have seen their eyes when I said yes. Then I explained that I believe in the SPIRIT of Santa Claus and the miracle "he" brings every year of family, friends, and love. Since this is a public school, it was best that I didn't get into the REAL reason behind the season (hey, I rhyme, too!), but...it's the same thing.
ReplyDeleteBTW, OUR next storm is Saturday. Yay.
In subbing at the public school I have caught myself really thinking before I speak when it comes to religion. Yet we teach free speech. Seems like an oxymoron to me! Oh well. I was shocked to learn our kids still recite the pledge and sing My Country Tis of Thee every morning! It's shaping up to be a pretty rough winter.
DeleteSubbing-like being a lion tamer. Without a whip.
DeleteYes, exactly like that actually!
DeleteSince Al did a post the cat hopped to your coast. Just keep the outhouse away, unless Al was lying at his bay. He does that. See, a rhyming cat. The many reasons to love the season and forget the crap across the commercialized map, are sure there. So i guess at your lair, you aren't a Grinch, maybe just in a pinch lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by an leaving a slice of your rhyming pie. I hope you enjoyed your visit and clicked the "follow" widget. Merry Christmas to you and a happy New Year filled with lots of cheer!
DeleteYes the commercialization certainly takes away a lot of the enjoyment! We all need to get back to embracing our inner-child and enjoying the season :)
ReplyDeleteAl sent me... I work for the Post Office so no one is more bah humbug than me... I promise you. :) That said, I love your list... but I am a bit scared for you... I have seen the malls lately... if you can avoid the pimply faced teenagers, grandmas, and baby strollers, steer clear of the perfume spritzers... they are trained assassins this time of year. Fingers crossed... I'll pray for you. -J
ReplyDeleteWe made it out alive, barely! For those whose gifts were not purchased, gift cards will have to suffice!
DeleteAl Penwasser sent me here and I'm really afraid of that man and wouldn't think of disobeying him. But in this case I'm glad I followed his advice to check out your blog because you are a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more of your work. I hope you'll visit my blog and join it if you like what you see. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your compliment! I would love to visit your blog and am headed there now!!
Delete