http://www.greatmombook.com/this-years-simple-christmas-34.html by Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor Maria Rodgers O'Rourke Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:11:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.greatmombook.com/this-years-simple-christmas-34.html/comment-page-1#comment-71 Maria Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:07:40 +0000 http://www.greatmombook.com/this-years-simple-christmas-34.html#comment-71 Hi, Maria: Thanks for your perspectives on simplifying Christmas. I think your experience illustrates why many of us are secretly grateful for the excuse to cut back this year. I agree: Christmas shouldn't be a burden! Hi, Maria:
Thanks for your perspectives on simplifying Christmas. I think your experience illustrates why many of us are secretly grateful for the excuse to cut back this year. I agree: Christmas shouldn’t be a burden!

]]> http://www.greatmombook.com/this-years-simple-christmas-34.html/comment-page-1#comment-66 Maria Kight Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:35:35 +0000 http://www.greatmombook.com/this-years-simple-christmas-34.html#comment-66 Well over a decade ago, we cut back on Christmas. It had become the most dreaded time of the year for me. I ran myself ragged trying to do things for everyone I could think of. The ridiculous obligations I felt became overwhelming. There was no Christmas Spirit in my heart. Bah Humbug! My husband was starting a new business and so for financial reasons we had no choice but to drastically cut back. We decided to just give presents to the kids and our parents. Our friends knew our situation and also seemed relieved when we asked if we could cease exchanging gifts. No one was upset. We've kept this up for over 12 years. Our children get one or two things. We have stockings that we put different things in that don't cost much but are thoughtfully intended for the recipient. We no longer allow the commercialization of the Holidays to dictate our actions. We also relish our time together. It doesn't matter where we are as long as our family is intact, we are joyful. Christmas shouldn't be a burden. It can be the most wonderful time of the year when things are in perspective and one knows what is truly important. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Well over a decade ago, we cut back on Christmas. It had become the most dreaded time of the year for me. I ran myself ragged trying to do things for everyone I could think of. The ridiculous obligations I felt became overwhelming. There was no Christmas Spirit in my heart. Bah Humbug! My husband was starting a new business and so for financial reasons we had no choice but to drastically cut back. We decided to just give presents to the kids and our parents. Our friends knew our situation and also seemed relieved when we asked if we could cease exchanging gifts. No one was upset.
We’ve kept this up for over 12 years. Our children get one or two things. We have stockings that we put different things in that don’t cost much but are thoughtfully intended for the recipient.
We no longer allow the commercialization of the Holidays to dictate our actions. We also relish our time together. It doesn’t matter where we are as long as our family is intact, we are joyful. Christmas shouldn’t be a burden. It can be the most wonderful time of the year when things are in perspective and one knows what is truly important. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

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