Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I usually go WAY overboard with 5 Christmas trees, every room decorated (that includes two guest rooms, all the baths, and the casita where I see my clients), cards and a holiday poem, thousands of cookies and candies, dinners, and LOTS of presents (both mailed and under the trees). Last year I wrapped 88 gifts. I obviously also shopped for those gifts. That is pretty over-the top for people with no parents, siblings or kids!
This year, while we are not completely skipping Christmas, we are simplifying and reducing the excess from our holiday. There will be no gifts, no cards, ONE tree (the Italy tree), and I will still bake to my heart's content! That is my favorite part of December! Friends may get homemade goodies, but no commercial gifts are changing hands. We don't need a thing, and neither do our friends. All of my friends, except one, have agreed to no exchanging of gifts. I will have time to do something I've always wanted to do as a Christmas project (more on that later). We are "adopting" a family through a local charity, and providing a young family with food, clothing, and a few toys and holiday stockings to give them what they could otherwise not afford.
We have been invited to spend Christmas with several special people, but we are going to do something different there too. We're not quite sure what yet.I had hoped to spend Christmas in Rome this year, but that will have to wait for another holiday season. I am looking forward to a relaxed, stress-free month ahead.
Comments (5)
Darn - I wish I was told BEFORE I bought you your gift! LOL I've you have read the book you posted you'll know what happened to the attempt to skip Christmas!
Posted by Jerry | November 20, 2009 5:47 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 17:47
Sounds wonderful,Palma. I love the idea of adopting a young family who otherwise wouldn't have much of a celebration.
Posted by sheri | November 20, 2009 6:24 PM
Posted on November 20, 2009 18:24
Congratulations! You will be giving yourselves and the lucky family the gift of a peaceful, meaningful Christmas! And you won't have to pack all those decorations away at the end of the season.
Love it that you are already here every morning with a new entry when I get up.
Merry Christmas from Middle Georgia!
Posted by Jo | November 21, 2009 5:59 AM
Posted on November 21, 2009 05:59
Good for you - simplifying the Holiday season is a good thing.
But, only ONE tree? Say it isn't so!
Let us know if you want to get together for a Holiday brunch or dinner.
Posted by nancyhol | November 21, 2009 8:34 AM
Posted on November 21, 2009 08:34
I am sorry you won't be able to go to Rome for Christmas. I think that is a great idea. I have wanted to do that for a long time now. Hard though at work, but at least most of my family members have agreed to the idea.
Posted by girasoli | November 21, 2009 7:21 PM
Posted on November 21, 2009 19:21