I've fought it. I really have. But here we are on the 12th of December, and I'm feeling the crazies.
Our tree this year would be simple- Ikea sells them for $20, with $10 back when you return it. Problem was, there was a wedding that weekend. I'd agreed to help set up in the morning, and Daddy didn't want to take the girls by himself. I ended up going Friday morning when my mom offered to watch the girls, impromptu. Great. Easy. Until I nearly lost the tree going sixty on the freeway!
Now the tree is up, and we have lights on it. And that's all. Baby would just climb to reach any ornaments, so it's simple.
I've fought with myself to make presents equally simple this year. I canned all summer, thinking "Christmas presents!" Winter hit and I found myself thinking "Ooh, I'll sew 6 of these and 4 of those, and just a few of those...". No, Myrnie. Remember? Closet full of jars? For Christmas presents? Oh, right. Simple.
Why am I fighting it? Why do I feel like the simple things I have planned aren't enough to show our love and appreciation? I still have more dolls to make, more beaded lovelies, more cookies, more packages to ship...why does it not feel like enough?
Regardless of all this, I'm making something special tonight, for you. Something simple. I hope you like it.
10 comments:
I so understand. I think the problem is that there are so many wonderful things that could be made that it gets hard not get all crazy about it. I either need to stop reading crafty blogs with their great ideas or I need to start on projects in January. :)
Because we start thinking "I have this great idea!" and it just spirals out from there. I still have a long list of things I want to get done, but I'm admitting most of it probably won't....
Can't wait. ;-)
BTW...package going out tomorrow. Look for it at Dad's house. Whee!
I so understand your feelings... and fall into that trap sometimes too. This year for Christmas we asked all our kids to do acts of service as their gift to us...they are to document what they did wrap it up and we will open it and read what they did on Christmas day.
I also have a friend who gives me canned jam each year for Christmas- I love and look forward to it all year.
I have to keep telling myself, no more presents. I think I went a little crazy on gifts this year and I still want to buy more. I think sometimes the simple gifts are the best.
I can't wait to see your project.
Home canned items are wonderful gifts! You could even add it to a basket of goodies...little kitchen items gotten at the dollar store. It is enough, for sure. I saw some little sliced rye bread at the end of the aisle at Save-A-Lot today...on sale, a great buy to add to some homemade jam.
I'm doing homemade this year as well. It does take a bit of bravery...is it good enough, but it's from the heart.
Oh, Myrnie -
You have inspired me this whole year to get back to gardening and canning. Yes Siree! And I believe homemade gifts are the absolute best. Most of my LDS neighbors here all send around homemade/home baked items during Christmas. It's fab to receive them.
Enough is enough. Truly. Don't stress!
Elizabeth
The idea of the christmas tree in Ikea is great. Never heard of that one before.
I have this as well. I made custom needlepoint pillows of people's pets, or if they want a fairy or princess or mermaid, and bake lots of goodies, and other things - and then I wonder if they wouldn't prefer a gift card! But home made is best - it shows thought and time and care......canning sounds great...I finally finished decorating today -- our tree goes up around dad's bd on the 15th....and we found a lot that sells them for a great price.....
Simple is good. Simple is bliss. Now if only I could simply get all this stuff done so I can get on with enjoying the simple.
Carrie (who is avoiding the basement)
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