The idea of Christmas lists has always been weird for me to grasp.
As a kid, it didn’t matter what we asked for, we always got chocolates, a real orange, a real apple, and some peppermints in our stocking.
For gifts, we got socks, undies, and usually a clothing item. Even to this day, I can count on my parents getting me socks and a hand towel and oven mitt set regardless of what my kitchen theme is. We didn’t know any different as some years, we would get to be on the giving tree and get random toys and others not.
We didn’t have money, but as kids, we (I had no idea) that was the case until I was in middle school. My parents did the best they could to make sure we had everything we needed, and not what we wanted.
For a long time, I didn’t understand it. I felt cheated and that I missed out. I would try to make up for it by buying myself as many gifts around Christmas as I would buy for everyone else. I wanted to buy the best and most gifts with the best paper to have people tear into Christmas day. I wanted to give the biggest pile of gifts, regardless if they were thoughtful or if they were last minute cheapies off of the holiday section that wouldn’t ever make it out of their package.
This continued even after the girls were able to open their own gifts. The best paper to be ripped to shreds and not even appreciated then thrown into the trash. The gifts inside marveled for about 2.5 seconds and then pushed to the side.
The difference is, now, we don’t need to make a Christmas list because we have worked to set ourselves up to be able to purchase anything we need or want, whenever we want.
It’s not to sound arrogant or anything, it’s just that that’s the truth. Through a lot of hard work and smart business, we have went from straight poor as children and now abundant adults.
So it raises the question about the Christmas list again. Do we need to make one to list our wants, or do we ask that people spend more money on their own families and simply spend time and have experiences with us?
I know for me, I would rather go to lunch or have a day with someone creating a stronger relationship than any gift could give. And, because we live so far away from a lot of our family, I would prefer they spend the time with the kids instead of giving them a mountain of presents for them to enjoy for about as long as it takes to unbox them.
Maybe it’s me wanting to have less things to move someday when our house is done.
Maybe it’s me turning 32 and finally realizing the important things in life.
Maybe it’s looking back on some of my favorite memories growing up, spending time making noodles with my grandma and eating pies with my other grandma.
Maybe it’s me not wanting to clean up the mess… probably a lot of this…
Most of all, I think I want them to slow down and remember. Remember the holiday season for what it’s really meant to be – family time.
What do y’all do? Do you do Christmas Lists or do you get what you need? Or do you ask for experiences instead of gifts?
xoxo,
AJ
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