3 Reasons to Slow Down this Holiday Season
Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. I love all the holiday festivities going on, which makes for some quality family time and fun memories. However, last year, I had an experience that nearly ruined the entire holiday season for me. In some ways, I felt like I missed Christmas. Let me tell you what happened.
I came up with this bright idea to have a huge family Christmas at my grandma’s house. After all, she is my only living grandparent and some of my fondest memories were made at her home. We’d invite all my aunts, uncles, cousins and their families. It couldn’t be anything but a win in my book. However, where I got lost was in the shopping. My wife and I had so many family members of which we just had to get gifts! On top of that, we were still planning on having Christmas with our kids as well as with my wife’s family; and we didn’t start shopping until Black Friday. I know, I know….a recipe for disaster. Needless to say, my kids came home with so many toys and clothes that, out of our guilt, we decided to donate many items to charity. I did manage to make some good memories though, none of which involved presents, but quality time with my family (and great tasting jalapeno poppers). I just wonder how much more quality that holiday season would have been if I hadn’t have gotten caught up in the madness.
"A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all." ~ Washington Irving