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You are here: Home / At Home / Holidays / True Gifts of Christmas

December 17, 2015 by Angela

True Gifts of Christmas

I sat with my eyes closed in yoga class after work, remembering to breathe deeply in for four counts, pause, and out for 4 counts. The instructor encouraged us in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to take time to purposefully pause. Pausing, he continued, is also work, sometimes harder to do than rushing around and staying busy.

I needed to hear that encouragement.

The true gifts of Christmas are not in the present but presence

The True Gifts of Christmas are not in presents, but in presence. Encouragement if the season's "to do list" is making you weary

 

To Prime or Not to Prime

Earlier today I tried to order my youngest son’s birthday gifts. His birthday is December 22. I put the order into Amazon and it said – delivery date: December 24.

Hmmm…that won’t do.

I didn’t renew our Amazon Prime because it was only really useful to us a few times a year (Christmas and birthdays), but for a moment, I was regretting the fact that I cancelled it. A flurry of texts back and forth with my sisters and his gifts were ordered. They will definitely be one of the things I’m grateful for today!

3 Gifts

In an effort to keep things simple and focused on Christ this Christmas, we are giving each child three gifts for Christmas – one thing to wear, one thing to read, and one thing they want. As children, they want many things – but as their parents, we are trying to set limits.

True Gifts of Christmas

As appealing as the items on their wish lists are, I know that what they really want is:

  • to see and spend time with their cousins on Winter break.
  • to have the sausage, egg casserole I make every year for Christmas breakfast.
  • to spend time with family on Christmas Eve and try to stay up for midnight mass.
  • to see what matching pajamas they get this year on Christmas Eve.

I know these are things they really want because their eyes light up hopefully when they’ve mentioned these traditions to me.

Will they love their “one thing they want” gift? Yes, of course they will love it. They will play with it on Christmas day…and maybe even for a while after. But the truly lasting gifts will be the memories and traditions that are shared every year and taking root in their hearts.

What gifts are you giving to your loved ones that aren’t on their “wish lists?”

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About Angela

Wife. Mom to three boys. Writer. Reader. Aspiring Minimalist. Lover of chocolate and fitness. She loves blogging about the ways she is finding success in simplifying life one step at a time. Her mantra is "Progress, not Perfection."

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Comments

  1. alexandra @ my urban family says

    December 17, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    I love that you have limits set! And sharing prime shipping is such a great way to cut back on costs. Before I had prime I would ship things to my parents house since I knew I would be seeing them sooner or later ha

    • Angela says

      December 22, 2015 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Alexandra! Sharing prime in a pinch was a definite birthday saver. I just need to plan a little better!

  2. Tawni says

    December 18, 2015 at 11:19 am

    So sweet and such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this today!

    • Angela says

      December 28, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you for reading and commenting Tawni.

  3. Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says

    December 22, 2015 at 11:14 am

    This is a great reminder, Angela, to focus on the things that are really important this Christmas. Thanks so much for sharing it with the Let’s Get Real party.

    • Angela says

      December 29, 2015 at 12:44 am

      Thank you Gaye! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  4. Ifeoma Samuel says

    December 24, 2015 at 5:04 am

    Hi Angela, this is a beautiful reflection! The true gift of the season is the memories we make not necessarily the gifts we share but the moments we have to share, laugh, love and live.
    Blessings Angela and Merry Christmas.

    PS Thanks for dropping by my blog earlier, I truly value it.

    • Angela says

      December 29, 2015 at 12:43 am

      Hi Ifeoma! Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate you coming by and commenting as well! Happy New Year!

Hi Friend! I’m Angela

Welcome to my blog where I write about simplifying life in small, manageable steps and creating healthy habits. You'll find inspiration, practical tips and community here for the decluttering you're doing in your own life. (whether that's physical, mental, or emotional clutter) Thanks so much for stopping by! Read More…

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