1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both…But, they have to represent the Savior somehow.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, because I’m frugal. However, I love the real ones best.
3. When do you put up the tree? It can NOT go up before Thanksgiving!!!
4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Disgusting
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Getting to give up my Christmas to help someone needy
7. Hardest person to buy for? My mother-in-law
8. Easiest person to buy for? Opa, my husband’s grandfather
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Of course—the best symbol for Christmas!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? We mail a newsletter.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? There’s no such thing…a gift received is cherished.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Nativity
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually, not until AFTER Thanksgiving!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Only food…we will share.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? All the assorted sweets.
16. Lights on the tree? White ONLY!!! One of my annoyances.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Mary, Did You Know and Silent Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home…although, last year we went tubing on Mt. Charleston…that was FUN
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Unfortunately, yes.
20. Angel on the treetop or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Morning.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Everything has to symbolize the Savior…if it doesn’t, it will NOT be seen in my house!!! (NO Santas, reindeer, snowmen, or off colors…SORRY!)
23. Favorite thing to eat for Christmas dinner? Hmmm…I like a BIG meal, with as many assortments as possible
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I am NEVER big on presents. My biggest joy is giving service.
25. Who do you want to do this tag? Don't be a scrooge...Tyson, Amber, Monica, and Adrianne.
While I'm revealing my Christmas tendencies, I might as well express my extreme sadness as to the way the world treats this holy occasion. I decided many years ago to take commercialism out of our family Christmas traditions. When Frankie was two years old, I stopped doing Santa. I didn't want to raise my children under such a falacy and detract from the opportunity to teach them about the Savior. I know some say you can do both. However, I don't like the competition in my home. I have tried to find creative ways to celebrate without training my kids to expect to be given a "wish list." To me, that would be instilling selfishness and envy. Instead, I've allowed them to see the beauty of service and love. They're always involved in giving service and spreading warmth and cheer. Now, I'm not a total scrooge. I give my children presents. Some years, I've done treasure hunts. Each present could be found by reading a scripture. Example: 2 Ne 4:23 "Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night time." And the gift would be hidden under a pillow. Then, the gift would have attached a message regarding how the present related to the Savior. Example: If the gift was a shirt, I would explain how it is a protective covering and could symbolize the shoulders that bore the weight of the cross and the burdens of the world. Christ is a protective covering to us. He envelops us with his watchful care. (You get the idea) I relate their presents to the wise men giving gifts to the Lord. Our presents are NEVER the focal point of Christmas. It saddens me tremendously when others do that. I have tried to insill in my boys to actually GIVE gifts to Christ and that is done by being righteous and serving others. I pray that the world will adopt a purer reflection of our Savior's great life and sacrifice.
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6 comments:
I think its really great that you try to make the savior the focal point of christmas.
You make me feel like a really terrible Mama because I love both sides of Christmas but I will tell you that our very favorite of all times Christmas was the year the twins were babies and we were drowning in debt and so to take the focus away from what we weren't getting, we chose a wealthy family that had no kids and dropped off homemade goodies every night for 12 nights at 9 pm and rang the bell and ran away. About 1/2 waqy through, THEY started leaving notes and presents for us and it was an awesome bonding loving CHRISTMAS!!!! Although we stayed annonymous for years (we just had to keep doing it!!) they eventually found out but by then our families had become so very close and remain like family today. Ask any of my materialistic spoiled kids and they will not hesitate to tell you that was the BEST Christmas of all!! I love your blog!!!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I totally agree with the whole commercialism.
Although you contradicted yourself when you said you refuse to do anything xmas until after Thanksgiving. Hello...you have a xmas background on your blog and Thanksgiving isn't until next week
Lizzy, you're right...although I did that because I was posting a Christmas tag. Shame one me!!!
I'll have to get my answers for the tag ready! I love your post. I admire your for making sure your kids know the true meaning of Christmas.
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