Did you hear it? Did you hear the starting gun? Have you started the race?
What race, you may ask? Maybe a better term would be "rush", as in, the Christmas rush.
Oh, that race. You know the one I'm talking about. The race to see which stores begin decking the halls first. The race for sales. The rush of adrenaline you get as you load up the wallet, put on the walking shoes, and tell the ones at home that you'll see them when you see them.
Before I go any further, and give you the wrong idea, let me make something perfectly clear. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love that God gave us the first and best gift. I love all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. More than anything else, I love giving presents!
Tom was not surprised last JANUARY when I came home from shopping with a friend with Advent calendars to give Annalyn and Gracie this year. We hadn't finished taking down last year's holiday trimmings and I was already thinking about this year's giving season.
What race, you may ask? Maybe a better term would be "rush", as in, the Christmas rush.
Oh, that race. You know the one I'm talking about. The race to see which stores begin decking the halls first. The race for sales. The rush of adrenaline you get as you load up the wallet, put on the walking shoes, and tell the ones at home that you'll see them when you see them.
Before I go any further, and give you the wrong idea, let me make something perfectly clear. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love that God gave us the first and best gift. I love all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. More than anything else, I love giving presents!
Tom was not surprised last JANUARY when I came home from shopping with a friend with Advent calendars to give Annalyn and Gracie this year. We hadn't finished taking down last year's holiday trimmings and I was already thinking about this year's giving season.
For years, Tom had been hailed as the "Grinch" by the kids and me. All that changed eight years ago, when his heart grew "three sizes that day," October 8, 2007. The day Tom changed from Grinch to Grandpa.
Ever since then, Tom's heart can't seem to give enough. 'Course my pragmatic Boy Scout also loves claiming "favor in the marketplace".
Now, shopping for Christmas is an exciting adventure, not a tug-of-war. Once Tom discovered how much fun it was giving to that tiny bundle, he really got into the spirit of giving to others.
Ever since then, Tom's heart can't seem to give enough. 'Course my pragmatic Boy Scout also loves claiming "favor in the marketplace".
Now, shopping for Christmas is an exciting adventure, not a tug-of-war. Once Tom discovered how much fun it was giving to that tiny bundle, he really got into the spirit of giving to others.
When we were planning our visit to friends in Toledo, they suggested a visit to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Tom checked it out and he was hooked. Turns out, it's always Christmas in Frankenmuth! We had a blast! Christmas music playing in the streets, people Christmas shopping everywhere. And no guilt for being excited for the holiday when it was only October.
I used to feel a little awkward about buying and stashing gifts throughout the year. Not anymore! And for lots of reasons. Sure, there's the whole fiscal and time management thing, but those are fringe benefits for me.
I used to feel a little awkward about buying and stashing gifts throughout the year. Not anymore! And for lots of reasons. Sure, there's the whole fiscal and time management thing, but those are fringe benefits for me.
What works for me is looking really close at those whom we will be gifting. What's that little like or love or longing that crept into a conversation? What works for me is to take and make note, and in the leisure of the eleven preceding months enjoy the search for perfect, or nearly perfect, gifts. What works most for me is knowing it's the gifts of love that linger the longest.
Have you begun your holiday shopping? What are you looking for this year? What gives you the greatest pleasure during the giving season?
This Wednesday, I'll be linking this post to Giving Up on Perfect and Coffee for Your Heart.
Have you begun your holiday shopping? What are you looking for this year? What gives you the greatest pleasure during the giving season?
This Wednesday, I'll be linking this post to Giving Up on Perfect and Coffee for Your Heart.
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