Merry Christmas Gifts and Ever Changing Times

I haven’t written in a while for 3 reasons:

1) Very busy with the move. It’s not easy to get adjusted to country life and not much to occupy my over-active brain out here in Gladewater, TX.

2) New job. I’ve been working nights and that adjustment is really tough, thus far. However, I really enjoy the job duties and have been making sure to get plenty of rest during the day.

3) The general malaise that usually sets in for me this time of year. I’m completely used to it and ok with it. I mean, I’m not a scrooge, I just don’t get “the feeling.”

It’s this 3rd reason I want to write about.  You see, I’m a last minute shopper. I can never seem to get it together enough to do year-long gift shopping, I don’t go to the “black Friday” sales and basically feel much more organized if I can get my Christmas gift shopping done all at once, in one weekend.

This year is different. My year has been so cur-bobbled, confusing, and altered to the point that I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, most days.  Now normally for an Aries like myself, this would be a welcome challenge in the mundane life we normally lead, but this gal’s getting older and some days I’m just too damned tired to deal with the accompanying frustrations of these qualities. Hence, not much shopping got done and I chose to use my talents and ‘gifts’ for gifts. And, I felt much better for it.

Something else has really been on my mind. Everyone is well aware of the state of the economy, so I won’t go there. But as Christmas drew near this year I noticed something, that for me was a little out of sorts, in our slim times. Folks were still out buying up Christmas like it would save them from economic hardship. Stores were full of people, shelves were being emptied and it was business as usual for the good ‘ol faithful American.

Now, I realize that it is said that spending keeps our economy going strong. But come on. When will we ever get back to the core values of the spirit of Christmas? Now, I’m not downing anyone, I just want to make a point here.

Giving of yourself is the best, most valued gift of all. I truly believe that and always have (it’s what I was taught).  You see, no matter what Religion or what you believe was there ever a “buying” gifts clause in any tradition? Ever? (Note: If there is, please send it to me so that I may amend this post)

Christmas in my family this year was very slim, yet here I sit with my normal ‘blahs.’ See, nothing changed. I didn’t feel better or worse for it. The times they are a changin, but no one seems to notice at this time of year, so far as I can tell. Were there any cut-backs in spending? Did more folks choose to make gifts instead of buying them? Did more people give of their own talents and use their creativity instead of the credit card? I’m not so sure.

My favorite Christmas gift this year was from a friend who colored me a picture from a template that I had sent him!  LOL! It was amazing! The story goes like this: This person is very creative and I had come across a set of ‘grown-up’ coloring books on Amazon for really cheap. I bought several and made copies for some friends and family that I knew would appreciate and use them. These coloring pages are meant for colored pencils and markers and the like, not crayons. They have very intricate designs and can be a challenge even for adults.

You should have seen the look on my face when opening that gift. It is beautiful, to say the least.  He had it framed and then wrapped.  And, the fact that this person did this just for me made me remember what Christmas really is to me.

So, in closing, have your Merry Christmas Gifts in these Ever Changing Times, and I wish only the very best in life (whatever that may be to you) to you and yours…but I’m gonna stick with the warm-fuzzies of homemade and creative gifts from the heart, not the checkbook.