“The only gift is a portion of thyself.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Good Sunday morning, my friends. Well, October just flew by, didn’t she? And once again, all too soon, the holidays will be with us. Yesterday, I read the Christmas decorations are going up in New York. So, I guess that is a definite sign. Please know, I am not a fan of Christmas before Thanksgiving. However, I do want to share thoughts from an article I read from many years ago, which may give you something to consider as the holiday season approaches.
The article was about how we seem to have lost much of the real meaning of Christmas, amid all the hustle and bustle. It was written by a woman who decided to bring a new holiday tradition to her children and family ~ The Three Gift Christmas. I don’t remember every detail of the article, but it certainly made me reconsider my ways.
Perhaps, I am simply a slow learner. Often I need to read something in order to step back a moment and take into account my way of doing things. During the many years I worked outside our home, I had to be organized. And I think I often drove myself, and probably those around me, crazy trying to accomplish my tasks. When it came to gifts for those I loved and held dear, I would wake in the morning with my head whirling, regarding the perfect gift or gifts. But, then I read, “The Three Gift Christmas” ~ my ways changed.
The woman who wrote this article had endured years of rushing around like a crazed person during the holiday season. Sound familiar? She felt as though the gifts, she had driven herself mad to acquire, were not meaningful. Perhaps, when Christmas morning arrived she was simply exhausted, who knows? But, she decided to make changes.
Her children were still small and she sat them down to explain that this year each of them would only receive three gifts. They could still make their lists, but she wanted them to know she had asked Santa to bring them only three gifts each. Why three gifts? The Baby Jesus only received three gifts. Certainly, that would suffice for her children.
You see, this special mom wanted her children to stand in awe of a beautiful tree aglow, to sing wonderful Christmas carols, enjoy Christmas goodies and learn to see all the details of the exquisite beauty of the season. And, she wanted them to have treasured memories of Christmas mornings and know the love behind the gifts they received.
In reading her article, I was inspired. I stepped out of the chaos and enjoyed, once again, the multitude of little things. Now, this doesn’t mean I don’t love the fuss and the full days leading up to Christmas. Because I do. But, I have well learned, many times the simplest things are the most precious.
“For the gifts that are priceless are the ones that are heartfelt; their roots are within our soul. They are the greatest gifts, of all.” ~
Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit today. The holiday season will be upon us in a blink and none of us want this most special time to be stressful. I do believe ‘simple’ is the key. Because we all want to savor the moments and make memories for ourselves and those we love.
Know I am wishing you and yours a beautiful and peaceful day.
And…
May the month of November bring you great joy.
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr
Thank you Sandra for the inspiration this morning. Very thought-provoking!
Many thanks, Bonnie for your visit and your comments. Have a lovely autumn Sunday.
Lovely post. It has been many years since my husband and I exchanged gifts. We just enjoy the season together.
Dear Penny, and that is perfect and more than enough. Have a wonderful day!
Beautifully said, my dear friend! Such a lovely and thoughtful post on this Sunday morning. I always leave with a sense of peace and inspiration when I visit your blog on Sunday. You have a true gift. Take care and have a most happy and blessed day, sweet friend!!!
Dear Shannon, thank you so much for your lovely words. I am so happy you enjoyed the post. Wishing you and yours a beautiful and blessed day as well. Thank you again, dear friend.
What a beautiful post! CHRIST-MAS is a magic time and we can’t forget the real REASON of this time…Blessings,dear Sandra!
Many thanks, dear Maristella. Yes, Christmas is a magic time, and we must never put aside the real REASON. Blessings to you as well, my friend. Have a beautiful November.
Sandra, a beautiful Sunday post that makes me stop and think. Ideas have been whirling in my head as to how I want to decorate this Christmas, but maybe I should stop and take in the wonder of this most blessed season of all. Thank you for the gentle reminder sweet friend!
Dear Pam, I, too, often find myself this time of year with ideas whirling in my head. However, since I read that article many years ago, for some reason I always stop and think. It seems to be a force of calm and guide me where I should go. I know it will you too. Blessings, dear friend.
Each year after Christmas I try to write down what I would change the next year, and the list always seems to follow the same theme–Simplify! And more and more I try to do what Dee Hardie wrote about, getting things done early so she had time to follow the Star.
I love the lesson your story tells, time to enjoy and appreciate all the little things. This was a good reminder, Sandra. I’m a slow learner too so I’m always needing reminders!
Dear Dewena, what a lovely idea to make notes about your Christmas. I think you are correct about your ideas to Simplify. When they are we can clearly see the real beauty of the season and therefore it gives us the magnificent glory to carry in our hearts. In reading your writing, my friend, I can completely say you are not a slow learner. However, we all do need those gentle nudges, especially me. Thank you, sweet friend, for your visit and lovely words. Wishing you a beautiful November.
Hi Sandra, I really love that concept. We’ve tried to calm down a little at Christmas (although I’m not sure anyone can tell!) But I can tell. The whole thought of just being able to stare at the tree or take your time making cookies because you want to (and not because you promised to bring cookies to an event) is so enticing and truly, part of the spirit. So, the three gifts really makes one stop and think. Perfect.
Good morning, Jeanie. I totally agree. We do miss so much when we are scattered and the season passes all too quickly. Happy November to you, Jeanie. And thanks so much for your visit and kind comments.
I am happy to be looking to forward to the holidays without the stress of entertaining so many of my family as I have in years past, but it doesn’t lessen my love of decorating. I know you mentioned you’re not a fan of Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I enjoy all the lights and little memories surrounding me just as soon as the urge hits or schedule allows to pull them out. We don’t engage in gift giving other than a family grab gift exchange, so there’s no pressure for shopping, but if family drop in, I hope they can feel the sense of cozy i strive for. That, and hosting our annual Christmas Eve dinner were my ways of gift-giving, in essence. My oldest daughter has agreed to take the torch of Christmas Eve dinner, and I hope she’ll enjoy it as I did for the years I did it.
I hope your week is going well! Love your Sunday Thoughts, even if it is Wednesday before I get to them. ?
Rita, I don’t know how you did so much with your Christmas Eve dinner for so many years. That certainly was a beautiful gift you gave all of them and I know they loved every moment of it. I am sure your daughter will enjoy and I know you will be by her side. I usually try to have everything decorated before Thanksgiving and then the day after we turn on the lights. I think what bothers me about Christmas before Thanksgiving is it is up in the stores even before Haloween.
Rita, I thank you so much for your comments and always enjoy them so much. Happy week and weekend!