Cold weather, angry drivers and packed malls are more than enough reasons to say, “Bah! Humbug! when the Christmas season comes rolling along. It’s actually one thing my Jehovah’s witness girl friend likes about her religion. No long shopping lists and late night runs to the mall for her. No pressure. No crazy spending.
Even though we celebrate Christmas every year, this year we decided to follow suit by making things a whole lot simpler. With the economy and my smaller income as a freelance writer, we’ve downsized our holiday.
This means no going to Hawaii to visit friends and family, which ends up saving us about $1200. Though we’ll miss our loved ones greatly and the warm weather, we know it’ll be just as nice in January when prices go down significantly.
It also means less stress having to buy gifts before the 25th.
And although I’m feeling a little sad about not spending time with my Hawaii clan, I am looking forward to a less chaotic Christmas. No more worrying about which family we’re seeing this year, which party to go to and if we’ll have time to visit everybody and their kids.
This year it’s just me and the husband, oh and our little pet bunny.
I think I’m going to savor the simplicity. Remembering what is inspiring about the holidays. The hope for the new year. The gratitude for the year past. And the excitement that exists in the now.
Without having to spend my time, energy and money on material things. It almost makes me glad for the economy being the way it is. Maybe we can all relearn the fun of being together, to appreciate our friends and family and remember the importance of loving each other during the holidays.
That’s my hope anyway.
