We I have put up very few decorations this year. We just got lazy. We ARE talking about buying some lights for the dock since our neighbors dock looks so lovely all lit up. But I do love when the house is decorated with boxes from my online shopping and bags of gifts from regular shopping. I love gift giving...perhaps a little too much.
The only thing in the middle box above was this much smaller box below with lots of brown filler paper.
And, of course, with all the wrapping, who has time to decorate the house? There will be no one here to see this year anyway. I still feel a little guilty. Although I read somewhere that Americans spend 6 billion on Christmas decorations alone? Maybe to buy their way into heaven? Nope. I think it is to show off to their friends and neighbors---some of the time. More guilt. What MUST the world think of us when this holiday season is about the birth of a prophet whom many think is God? Unless you celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa...which also have little to do with spending. Boy, 6 billion can buy a lot of food!
Our first exchange with loved ones is this Saturday since we will not see them on Christmas. So shopping and wrapping had to be done efficiently. That little blue plane on the left was an old decoration that I found that was my son's when he was much younger. I thought I had given him all his old ornaments now that he has his own family, but missed that one.
Now I am finishing up the other stuff...sending greetings.
I give to charities and causes on a year round basis....but I am thinking after reading this post that I need to give some more this month! Not looking forward to the budget busting bills in January.
Tho we won't be here either, we have lights outside, and a tree. Eldest daughter will pick up the presents, the lights are all on a timer. and there's security and neighbors to watch the condo. I'll enjoy Christmas at sea....I hope.
ReplyDeleteI took one of those tests that asks how much Santa and how much Scrooge and got 50-50 which surprised me as i think I am a LOT Scrooge. This year not arriving back to the farm until after Christmas, I could excuse not decorating for Christmas but I stopped a few years back. Last year I sent the last Christmas cards, told the list where we were on Facebook and emails-- heard from none of them and don't care if they sent cards this year or not-- I'm done with it. My kids quit some years back. I do though like to give gifts but the question always is-- what? And it's harder as the grandkids get older
ReplyDeleteI think it's nice to do enough decorating to make it look Christmassy. But it shouldn't be a competition.
ReplyDeleteWe're pretty much done with Christmas decorations, baking, gifts,cards,etc. Only thing left is to clean the house and cook for Christmas dinner. We do have a tree inside for the inside cats and a small one on the porch for the outside cats... as well as fresh garlands around the fireplace and front door. But that's about it. I like the smell of vanilla, cinnamon, and Christmas greenery.
ReplyDeleteYou are all set to have a peaceful, quiet, pleasant Christmas. That’s how it looks to me.
ReplyDeleteCan’t stand the mad rush thing, the eating and drinking until you are sick, the spending money on rubbish soon to be passed on or thrown out, the garish tasteless tat decorations which make me puke, etc. etc.
Scrooge? Me? Never!
No, I am not. We will have a very good time doing what we like, with nobody looking over our shoulder and telling us how we should do it.
I ignore christmas as much as anyone can in this christmas obsessed culture. not being a christian (or any kind of religious), I don't feel the need to participate. we give very few gifts...grandkids and my sister. sometimes the kids. depends on what our financial situation is and if I think of something I know they want or need. I don't give gifts out of any sense of obligation.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do anything but minimal decorating, because the cats would eat it. There's no way much gets spent on decorations when we leave for Christmas to go to Grandma's anyway. Don't feel guilty, do what's best for you!
ReplyDeleteWith each Christmas post I read, I inch a little more toward the desirable holiday spirit. Thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteLove the little plane ornament. We have ornaments on our tree that were wedding presents, probably the only wedding presents we still use.
ReplyDeleteWe all know from my blog that I decorate, and I do it because it brings me joy. Growing up poor, I am perhaps a bit unbalanced in my need for beauty now.
ReplyDeleteAlways decorate as much or as little as the spirit moves, not to compete or something like that. I like to think of the outside decorations as giving a lift to pedestrians, since I enjoy a bit of nice colored light and such when I'm out for a walk.
ReplyDeleteAs to the expense, and whether it could be better spent, perhaps so. As with you, I try to give year-round in some way. It does give one a bit more pause at this time of year, though
Our decorating is kind of minimal too, but I do love Christmas. Tomorrow we will go get the tree.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are are going to have a lovely Christmas. I hope you put lights on your dock and take a night pic.
It is wearing me out to think about all of it.
ReplyDeleteTaking it slow myself. Today I was looking for paper that would fit some bigger gifts but looking is all I got done. Nobody sees my lights so they are for me. Going to a party today! Ho ho.
ReplyDeleteYou've made me think, hard, about the lessons we ought to be taking away from this supposed season of giving.
ReplyDeleteI think you have the perfect sense of balance: Time and togetherness matter far more than a bauble hanging on a tree or a door. In the end, it's what these things mean that matters far more than the fact that we took to the time to a) buy them and b) put them up.
Christams changes as we get older. I'm trying to use up the accumulated wrappings, get rid of decorations that I don't use anymore.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have so many that are have sentimental value because of the people who gave them. My children can't use them, so what to do?
I was in Target today and wondering how people manage to control their spending at all with aisle after aisle of tempting items to buy. I really have to discipline myself.
ReplyDeleteI know. I think about that often and the responsibility I have to teach my kids about giving and not just getting. It is so hard for me to find a good balance when they are young like this. I want Christmas to be magical for them but I also want them to know how lucky they are and to appreciate what they have. I want them to be compassionate and giving.
ReplyDeleteBalance.
Now that we are all grown up my mom gives us a card that says, "I gave $___ to the (charity name) in your honor" as Christmas gifts. I love that. She still gets the grandkids gifts, but honestly, buying for adults is just unnecessary.
I love decorations. They make the house feel warmer and cozier, it seems. And the kids go absolutely bananas. But I'm sure when they are older we won't do as much.
There is a house a mile from us that is decorated top to bottom and set to music. It is awesome! People line up to just sit and watch the house. There is a donation box outside the house (also lit up) and the proceeds go to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. I think that is a great idea. :)