Wise words from the Grinch.

So, I have a new favorite book. Its been a favorite for a long time now.

But I'm lovin it more and more as each year passes.

How the Grinch stole Christmas.

looo-hooove it.

I have been picking a line to memorize every week. some are silly. All rhyme.

Some are insightful.

I think Dr. Seuss and i would have been friends.

Line for Last week:

"And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly, Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimbley."

(i laugh)

Line for this week:

"Every who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any presents at all."

So, its christmas time. Which in my family means shopping and lists.

The older I get the more gifts I buy.

side note: I am the worlds WORST gift giver. Im really good with the people closest to me, horrible for the rest. And by the people closest to me I mean, family and jess :)

Everyone else: sorry. I stink. many apologies.

Anywhoo... back on track...

Gift giving is where I lack.

Im not good at it, and I tend to stress over what to buy.... how much to spend... blah blah blah.

I was having a "gift giving conversation" with my mom yesterday when she made this comment.

Mom: I've been thinking about what would happen if I just didnt do it.

Me: Didnt do what?

Mom: Go christmas shopping, I havent even started and what if I just didnt do it.

Me: ooooh (thinking of the pair of toms, the nikon lense, the purse and the million other things I suddenly didnt just "want" for christmas.. I NEEDED them)

Mom: I just think thats not what Christmas is about and we got all wrapped up in it.

Me: Thats sad.

Mom: that we get wrapped up in it?

Me: no, that you dont want to buy presents.

Mom: I just dont think thats what Christmas should be about.

*** silence ***

I have been pondering what she said. And so I made a list. :)

a list of the things I enjoy most about Christmas.

It consisted of 8 things.

The first 4 being the MOST important...

allow me to share:

1.) Every sibling is home, family is ALL together

2.) Christmas Eve church service and Christmas Eve tradition

*this consists of oyster stew, chili and shrimp cocktail.*

3.) all my siblings and I sleep in the same room and stay up late

* I'm honestly not sure if this will change once we are married. this could make christmas awkward for the spouses.. eh, who cares.)

4.) Christmas Day dinner, going around the table sharing what we love about eachother.

Thats the list.

The rest does consist of opening presents, giving presents, getting pjs on christmas eve (tradition).

But the top 4 are the things that I would be broken hearted if we didnt do.

It made me realize the Christmas is NOT about presents. Its not about catching the sales. Its not about black Friday or the brand new purse.

Those things are so silly.

Its about Jesus.

Celebrating His birth.

Its about Family.

I'll still buy gifts for the people I love, because I love them.

But Im not going to stress over it.

I'm not going to go into debt over it.

And I'm not going to make a list of the things I want.

I have everything I want.

(except a boyfriend. crap.)

So, regardless of what i get I'm certain I'll have the best Christmas yet.

Because of what I already have.

As the Grinch said: "maybe christmas," he thought, "doesnt come from a store."

"maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!"