I chose today’s quote very carefully to portray the way I’m feeling this Christmas season. Yes, I said Christmas! I am a Christian and celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th like countless others. I respect others’ beliefs and love to learn how other cultures and religions celebrate their holidays throughout the year.
With that out of the way, I’ll get on to what I’ve been thinking. I was taught from a very young age the importance of giving. My mother would take us kids out shopping and give us each a spending limit to buy gifts for each other and mom and dad, grandparents etc.. I loved picking just the right gift for each person and wrapping them up to give on Christmas day. And I loved seeing the joy (real or not) on the faces of those who opened the gifts I gave. I guess that’s why I love giving gifts today
However, it was never about how much money we could spend on each gift and it still isn’t today. My mom was always very frugal and taught us to be as well. Some years we would make gifts with whatever talent we had. I remember when I was probably about 7 or 8 years old drawing pictures to give to my cousins because I wanted to give gifts to everyone I knew.
Now I have more skills and can make gifts people can use and/or enjoy in some way. I don’t spend alot of money at Christmas but there is always a gift for everyone in my family from my mom to my adult children, their partners, my grandchildren and even my great niece and great nephews.
I know I could save myself time and just give a bigger gift to those in my immediate family but that doesn’t sit right with me. I would rather give more gifts to more people even if the gifts are smaller and handmade.
For example, this year I crocheted dolls for all the littlest people and made crocheted snowflakes, angels and bookmarks for the grown-ups. The teens are a bit trickier but I came up with the idea to buy thrift shop frames and create a button art initial for each of them. Some years I’ve crocheted character hats, baked cookies or made fudge. It doesn’t matter as long as I can make something for everyone.
“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”
W.T. Ellis
Like Francis of Assisi said it is in giving that we receive. By giving these small handmade gifts I receive so much joy. I can’t wait for Christmas just so all my family will come over and open their gifts. I did buy a few things too but very little money was spent compared to what the average person would spend. Plus all my bills are paid and I’m not in debt so there’s that.
Besides it’s not about the money. It’s about giving a gift from the heart. And every gift I make and give goes out with all the love I have for that person.
What are your thoughts on this quote? I’d love to read your comments.
RazzWorks 
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