Monday Meanderings
It is now the third week of advent and I am not even close to being ready for next week. I still have a couple of packages to get in the mail, presents to buy and the house to clean. I haven't a hope to get everything done.
I found myself wondering today why this happens every year. I'd settle for just a quiet day with my family, a few small gifts, a great dinner and good wine. But there seems to be an expectation that there be multiple things to be done at this time of year. Cards to send out, gifts to purchase, those people that you exchange with but don't spend time with during the year. That seems increasingly irritating to me as I get older. I'd much rather spend time with them during the year rather than spending a few minutes exchanging gifts.
You see, the time spent together is the gift for me. Enjoying each other's company for a few hours over different points during the year mean much more to me than any material item. I don't need any more stuff in my life. I'd rather have the memories.
That being said, I had better get back to knitting elephants. I have some nieces and a nephew who need them in time for Christmas.
Comments
Speak up and make those changes in your household. We have spent the past few years pairing it down - and this is the first year I can say that we are enjoying the season. I have time to take off work and attend the kids Christmas parties, enjoy hanging out with them in the evenings and watching all the Christmas shows on tv, baking cookies together, it's been a fun month so far!
Posted by: Jen | December 18, 2007 06:25 AM
I think you're right--the time spent together IS more important. Maybe you might try to schedule it in during the year instead? It's hard to do this, because it's not affixed to anyone's inner schedule, but I do find it more meaningful that way. Remarkably, my good friends feel the same, and those who wish you'd just leave it to one stressful part of the year? Not so close anymore...
Posted by: Joanne | December 18, 2007 06:42 AM
I'm with you. I wish I could spend more time with friends and family during the year. This gift giving and cards to send gets a bit much on the purse strings and time each year, when it would be great to spend more time during the year with these peope.
Posted by: Anne | December 19, 2007 03:47 AM
I'm with Jen, speak up and just do it. I truly believe our whole country would do much better, as in the state of our souls well being...eh?
Posted by: marianne | December 19, 2007 06:17 AM
The tasks have a way of multiplying, don't they? It's part of the whole frenzy of the season.
Posted by: Barb | December 19, 2007 08:31 AM