It's supposed to be fun, people

Some of the women in my mommies' group have been posting messages about how stressed they feel about the holidays, how much they have to do, that it's not fun, yada yada yada. I thought of them yesterday when I read an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution about people who are turning away from a stressful, consumer-oriented Christmas and focusing more on what it means to them. The article originally appeared in USA Today with the title "Boycotters ask, 'What Would Jesus Buy?'", but don't let the title turn you off.

Both of my parents grew up during the Depression and Christmas, like everything in their lives, reflected that experience. While we had great Christmases growing up, our holiday was not overfilled with gifts like so many families. We focused more on being together, doing things together, connecting with family and friends. We were taught to be grateful for what we had and to not mourn what we did not have.

That has carried over to my adult life. Yes, we are going to have some wonderful gifts in our house this year, but probably not the amount that the typical US family has. We refuse to go into debt to buy gifts and understand that more gifts do not equal a great holiday. We do not buy gifts for extended family - we don't really know their likes/dislikes anymore, there are too many people, they live all over the country and there is really no reason.

I enjoy writing and sending holiday cards, and receiving them. I enjoy buying a few, well-thought out gifts for J, A, and our parents. I enjoy making goodies for us to overindulge in! I enjoy telling stories about Christmases past and remembering those good times. I enjoy going to a few parties and having a good time. I enjoy our various traditions and making up new ones each year. I enjoy teaching A to be compassionate by buying gifts for those who do not have much.

And that is why the holidays are not stressful for me. If the holidays ever become a time of stress for me, then that will be my cue to stop, assess what is important, and pare back.