Friday, December 18, 2009

To me being a Grinch is being selfish and taking away the joy of the holidays

To me being a Grinch is being selfish and taking away the joy of the holidays
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It makes me angry every time I see a news story about parents getting into fights over toys on Christmas eve.

Have we really lost sight of what the holidays should be about so much that we are going to fight with each other over a toy? We're adults! What lessons are we passing down to our children? That the reason for the season is buy buy buy- get get get?.........

I remember how much I loved Christmas as a kid. My mom would decorate our house beautifully and play Christmas music.

Our house even smelled like Christmas! And it wouldn't be cheap inflatables in the yard and imported ornaments from China, oh no, wreaths and centerpieces my mom made from hand, and ornaments made either by my mom of by us kids.

It was special and I loved it. I loved it not because of the gifts (and yes, we did get a lot of gifts) but because of the specialness and joy of the season.

It is so hard for me to create this environment for my nieces, god children and other children I spend time with. Children of all ages from 3 to 63.

They are bombarded with ads for "this years hottest Christmas toy" (all 75 of them) starting in September.

Every store we go into is filled with tacky Christmas paraphernalia from before Halloween. The idea of Christmas being all about the gifts you get is everywhere and it seems to be worse and worse every year!

One child I know started listing off all the things he wants for Christmas to me. Every time we walk past a toy he says he wants it for Christmas.

It's a lot of pressure to put on parents and caregivers and it makes me sad that someone at the age of three has already started thinking that this is what Christmas is all about!

It makes me angry every time I see a news story about parents getting into fights over toys on Christmas eve.

Have we really lost sight of what the holidays should be about so much that we are going to fight with each other over a toy? We're adults! What lessons are we passing down to our children? That the reason for the season is buy buy buy- get get get?

So in response to those that call me a Grinch, sorry sweetie, no, I am not the Grinch, YOU-are in reality "the Grinch."

I am a Who, most of my friends on facebook are too!

I have not lost sight of what is important about the holidays. My family has a modestly decorated home with ornaments handed down from my mom, many that she made herself with her own hands.

We put these up the week after US Thanksgiving because as Canadians we celebrate Thanksgivng at Harvest time. ; )

Our home is warm and smells of Christmas.

I make as many Christmas gifts as possible for friends and family so that they actually reflect the care and love I have for them. So that it still holds a special meaning.

I strive (although I often feel it's an uphill battle) to teach children that the holidays are about being thankful for what you have, showing your love to others, and celebrating with friends and family.

Why put yourselves into a giant hole of debt we can't dig ourselves out of every year just to prove we can buy better presents than our friends do.

If fact, just like the Who's of Whoville, if we had no money for gifts or decorations we would still be able to go on with Christmas.

We would still appreciate each other and celebrate in our own way.

So in actuallity it is my family and others like us that are still conserving the specialness of Christmas and the rest of society who are the Grinch's.

To me being a Grinch is being selfish and taking away the joy of the holidays. In fact this is what the Grinch strived to do! This is what main stream society is doing to our children. Taking away the meaning of Christmas with over commercialization and the pressure to spend spend spend.

These are tough economic times my friends so it is more important than ever to change the way you celebrate this year.

Start your own family traditions, make your own gifts or buy handmade, and emphasize what is important.

Think of creative ways to show your children the love that you have for them. Make ornaments and gifts together, bake and decorate cookies, donate your time to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, etc.

These memories will stand out much longer in their minds than a memory of the 20 new toys they received.

So from one Who to the rest of you "Who's" Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah , etc. and remember to enjoy whatever holiday that you celebrate this year for the right reasons and you won't feel like your just ready to get through it!