Jingle jingle!! (By Laura)

It's astounding.  As soon as Halloween is over, the Christmas flyers start arriving.  Daily, my mailbox is flooded with bright red and green "gift guides", promises of finding that one tough person the perfect gift.  It's everywhere!  I'm seeing Christmas lights on houses at night, hearing Christmas music playing, and the general mood seems to all be aimed at "preparing", shopping, buying, planning.

 

I LOVE Christmas, actually.  I love the anticipation.  I love the lights.  I love giving gifts to people I care for, seeing their faces as they open them.  I love Christmas music (at least the good stuff), and love the way people become happy and snuggly and lovey around this time of year.

The simplicity thing, however, causes us to look at it a little differently.  I've already talked about the simple gift-giving plans we have this year, and so you know how very much we do not want to just buy, buy, buy.  I have been feeling, though, that being simple, choosing a simpler way, is not just a decision we make once.  It's something we have to do again and again.  Each time I see a new flyer with really cute girls' clothing on the front, each time I pass a store window with a cozy and fashionable sweater, or a nice pair of winter boots, or an other item that regularly tempts me, I need to remind myself that we don't NEED it.  Sure, there are times when there is a justifiable purchase, but more often than not, I'm just longing to fill a need for something new, to satisfy the hunger in the moment.

So, as I picked up the pile of flyers that came through my slot yesterday, I didn't even open them up.  I know what gifts I'll be purchasing, and what gifts I'll be making, and really don't need any more temptation to get just one more thing.

Life is full.  It's far fuller than I could have asked for.  It's full of love, family, friends, hobbies, cooking, cleaning, tantrums, arguments, snuggles, bedtime stories, homeschool, lessons, coming and going and so many other things.  I really don't need to fill it further with new things.  They will only get lost in the mix, and won't be appreciated for what they are.

And so, as we head in the direction of this season, I wish you all the very warmest and happiest time with those you love, and hope that you find fulfillment in the little things.