tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post723799632171035322..comments2023-04-03T02:49:47.594-06:00Comments on Contemplating Happiness: A Grinchy YearTrish Ileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10843855934101044782noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-89271435943282117332011-12-29T09:16:33.103-07:002011-12-29T09:16:33.103-07:00THANK YOU! I am getting tired of Corporate Christ...THANK YOU! I am getting tired of Corporate Christmas. So I have devised a plan to be on a cruise every year for the Christmas holiday. Spending time with family WITHOUT the stress of gifts and all the hoopla.NayLahKneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263168852107789298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-10679413248790907272011-12-28T19:56:13.987-07:002011-12-28T19:56:13.987-07:00I totally agree! About everything you said, but es...I totally agree! About everything you said, but especially the Christmas music. My best friend lived across the street from one of those Christmas music blasters, and it would absolutely drive me crazy when I visited. I can't imagine LIVING near it. And gifting has completely gotten out of control thanks to all the commercialization. Oh, I could go on and on!!Jenny Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05341647971009392385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-30670545074299383652011-12-28T18:37:19.198-07:002011-12-28T18:37:19.198-07:00You've inspired me! My next blog post. What I ...You've inspired me! My next blog post. What I love about Christmas. ... Hmmm.Lori Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01951768264255583164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-41785827215172260172011-12-28T07:14:51.600-07:002011-12-28T07:14:51.600-07:00The music piped out through the streets would real...The music piped out through the streets would really bother me, too! That is crossing a line somehow.Christine @ Quasi Agitatohttp://quasiagitato.com/greatest-hits/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-70798776956097115682011-12-28T06:18:18.381-07:002011-12-28T06:18:18.381-07:00There is way too much emphasis on gifts during Chr...There is way too much emphasis on gifts during Christmas. Shouldn't it be about togetherness and family? You nailed it with this post!Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174981423633745590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-84977126435870713662011-12-27T23:58:53.199-07:002011-12-27T23:58:53.199-07:00What an insightful post! I think it's a great...What an insightful post! I think it's a great reminder of what Christmas is really about. It goes beyond the decorations and the presents, and what you said are all so true. <br /><br />I think you've got it all in good perspective! Love all your favorite things about Christmas. They're the best kinds, priceless!Sweatyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07886118636402604168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-8503777193153628342011-12-27T22:52:49.998-07:002011-12-27T22:52:49.998-07:00I love the part where you talk about validating yo...I love the part where you talk about validating your sons decision. Christmas is and can be very personal. A mix of past and present. I happen to love lights, and music but because my dad forced us into the car every Christmas eve where my step brother and my sister and i would die laughing in the back about how serious everyone was. Now, I laugh internally whenever I see that over the top house but with the happiness of a child. As for the cookies, I have no willpower and love supermarket sugar cookies as well as homemade. But to be honest, it's about thoughtfulness of people that makes me the happiest. What can I do for them that will make them light up. Will let them know I thought about what they like and what might be fun or special for them. It's not about the amount of money, it's about the experience of the gift. Big, small, lots or little. Doesn't matter. To validate your child's decisions does not cost money but it puts them first. The greatest gift. Thanks for this wonderful post. I hope your Christmas was merry and even if part of it felt like it was in Who-ville, it was still all you wanted it to be:)Shannon from 'mynewfavoriteday'http://mynewfavoriteday.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-41360103216452284362011-12-27T22:40:54.745-07:002011-12-27T22:40:54.745-07:00You are right of course, the inner-debate on what ...You are right of course, the inner-debate on what is the season and what isn't. Yes it's about giving and not getting but isn't also about the look on the child's face Christmas morning from the magic of Santa - oh and one more cookie? Searching for the balance is hard!!Jamiehttp://www.chosenchaos.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-73024700910198108732011-12-27T18:12:15.525-07:002011-12-27T18:12:15.525-07:00Ah, what a great, great post. I especially loved y...Ah, what a great, great post. I especially loved your cookie share. I've been there too - I get it. And re. the competitive lights - do you live in our hood? Because that music is killing me, too!Adohttp://www.themomalog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-69251336893196893792011-12-27T16:56:07.931-07:002011-12-27T16:56:07.931-07:00Kimberly, you're right. It's difficult whe...Kimberly, you're right. It's difficult when the gift-giving becomes a competition (especially between parents). But when you look back at your own childhood, what do you remember? The gifts themselves or the way Christmas made you feel? I remember decorating the house, making cookies, listening to Christmas carols, midnight Mass..... the MOMENTS of Christmas. Not the stuff. Your kids will feel the same way someday, I bet.Trish Ileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843855934101044782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-36279069703470475202011-12-27T16:44:02.198-07:002011-12-27T16:44:02.198-07:00Thanks for your honesty! You touched on something ...Thanks for your honesty! You touched on something I have been afraid to communicate--I feel insecure when my kids' dad gets them "better" presents than I do. Our culture puts too much emphasis on gifts and I have succumbed to the pressure in the past. Utimately, if I provide what is reasonable the gifts are meaningful.kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512573342918958641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-23714648956121712252011-12-27T13:18:44.195-07:002011-12-27T13:18:44.195-07:00I can so relate to this post. This year I went big...I can so relate to this post. This year I went big on sentiment and small on spending/consuming (food, too)...felt so good :)a runnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13338982220048136690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241894027649595262.post-62876272674448877952011-12-27T12:28:15.614-07:002011-12-27T12:28:15.614-07:00I agree with everything except the cookie part. G...I agree with everything except the cookie part. Give 'em to me. All of 'em! And don't stop. In fact, just move into my kitchen and start making them year round.<br /><br />Yeah, that'll work. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com