November 11, 2019

Let's Talk About Christmas


As I begin planning my twenty-ninth Christmas, I think about some of the things I have learned through the years, and how these things help keep the focus on Christmas and family, rather than on the hectic, overstimulated, exhausting, commotion society and the media convince us we must embrace.

1. Christmas comes and goes whether we have completed every last thing on our To-Do list or not. I used to fret over getting every gift bought, wrapped, and delivered, every meal planned, every movie watched. Then I realized that Christmas is a season, not a day. If some gifts go unwrapped, they are delivered later and appreciated just as much, if not more. It isn't against the law to eat Christmas cookies and watch Elf on December 29 either. So if your list doesn't get completed, give yourself a break.

2. Christmas is about memories, not about stuff. I have collected Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer things for a long time because I love that little guy. Rudolph is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. Lately, when I look online or in catalogs, I see a lot of Grinch items. And they are cute! Grinch pajamas, bedding, party supplies, plates, and mugs scream out, "Buy me!!!". And I think how fun and cute they would be. But then I stop. And I realize we don't need them. We have wonderful things that the kids have come to love over the years. Things that they cherish and associate with home and Christmas. I remember all my mother's Christmas decorations. She put them out year after year. I can still see them in my heart. My mom didn't have the internet, Pinterest, and stores open twenty-four hours a day telling her she needed to buy the newest, trendiest decorations, or special Christmas bedding and matching family pajamas every year. And she did just fine.

3. Christmas has become synonymous with busy. We are expected to attend all the special concerts, sporting tournaments, parties, dinners, shopping events, and cookie exchanges, all on top of our regular daily lives and with the added tasks of shopping, wrapping, and baking. It is no wonder people are exhausted when Christmas Day finally arrives. And then the stores open immediately so we can return and exchange the gifts we just received, and of course, buy more. I say no. We say no. No to so many of these things that pull us away from our home and the special time that we have to celebrate here together. Instead, during these special nights, we eat dinner, read Christmas stories, watch Christmas movies, and eat special snacks. We light Christmas candles, sip Rudolph Hot Cocoa, and look at the twinkling lights on our tree as we listen to Christmas classics. This time of year passes so quickly. We don't want to spend it running from place to place, from event to event. There will be time for all that, perhaps during the long, cold days of January.

I know these thoughts may not be popular. I am alright with that. I am passionate about keeping our home and family-focused on the love and cozy and joy that this blessed time of year brings. How about you?

Sweet, right???

Have a lovely Monday, my friends.
Thanks for visiting.








20 comments:

  1. Yes! I agree with slowing down and savoring every moment! I am going to try really hard to do just that this year. SLOWING down sounds perfect and hopefully will make the Season more enjoyable. Thanks for this post! HUGS!

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  2. I love your version of Christmas. The mass consumerism sickens me. Mountains of complete rubbish churned out, just to go straight to landfill. It will be minimalism all the way here, and I love what you say about stopping and realising that we don't actually need the cute new things. A really great post Billie Jo. CJ xx

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  3. We are also very low-key Christmas-ers. We have a few key traditions but all of them involve being at home so that's certainly really nice and doable.

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  4. (running and screaming from the room, lololol) NO, lets not talk about Christmas, until after Thanksgiving, LOLOL (JUST KIDDING, SMILES)---we are low key Christmas people, Billie Jo...we have our traditions and like them just fine (and quite in aggreeance with you, smiles).

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  5. We don't celebrate which makes it much easier to enjoy the holiday. It is the most beautiful time of the year.. but so many tend to forget what its all about and get wrapped up in the consumerism of it all.

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  6. What a great post to rad as I have been stressing about Christmas.

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  7. Oh, most definitely yes! Christmas is a much more simple affair here these days and I enjoy it so much more as a result. X

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  8. I love your views on the Christmas season and couldn't agree more. I get a bit sucked into the busy, but I work every year to be more conscious of what it all really needs to be about. Especially the sacred reason for the season. 🙏
    Love when you share these kinds of posts my Friend. And I loved your book so much and gifted it to my Mom to read too. Blessings my Dear Billie Jo xoxo

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  9. You have the correct mindset about the Christmas season. It took me a long time to stop stressing over it all and since I've let some stuff go, I'm a much happier Christmas camper.
    Rudolph is also one of my favorite movies too.

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  10. Oh, Rudolph is a classic. I loved what you said here, Billie Jo, and I feel the same way. I do not run myself ragged, especially at this very special time of year. I try to do my things early in the morning with no lines and crowds, and I try to get my Christmas shopping done early, so I can concentrate on what the season really is all about. Now, I'm interested in that Rudolph hot cocoa and where you buy it? It sounds like you have special memories of your mom at Christmas time. Such a heartwarming post.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Oh Yes, I've seen the Rudolph Hot Cocoa before, now I must try it. I think I've given it as stocking stuffers before. Thanks, Billie Jo, for getting back to me.

      ~Sheri

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  11. I love your Christmas thoughts and completely agree! It goes by so fast and just being home and together is the very best part of the holiday, if only it lasted much longer though!

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  12. Oh, I love Rudolph too!! And I completely agree with you about enjoying the season and not stressing through it. Your traditions sound amazing!

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  13. I couldn't have said it better myself Billie Jo! One tradition we do is go skiing on Christmas morning then come home and have an early Christmas dinner and share gifts and play games with Christmas music in the background. This year might be slightly different as our daughter in law is quite pregnant so skiing is not an option. Just being together is the most important thing for us. Enjoy the season and all that it encompasses!
    X0X0
    Saimi

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  14. I couldnt agree more with you. Family is most important and if everything isnt perfect, so what? Christmas will come and go anyway.

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  15. I'm so excited for Christmas! I feel like when I was younger, I considered November too early for Christmas, but I find I'm getting more excited about it now. What is that?? Either way, it is always something nice to look forward to!

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  16. I feel exactly the same way! We are going to keep Christmas simple this year as well. I just love visiting your blog. Hugs to you. ~Juli

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  17. I totally agree. I like a quiet Christmas and we do just fine too. A beautiful list, thank you for sharing x

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  18. Love this post and totally agree!

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  19. We tend to keep our week nights quiet and at home, and enjoy a couple of outings on the weekend. It allows for times of cozy and rest!! You are a huge inspiration to me on this topic. <3

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo