tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post4017608651330602688..comments2023-10-25T05:30:54.507-04:00Comments on Oh Get A Grip!: Stockings With CareAshe Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03390519279886657608noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-65313916432004777312010-12-21T20:27:06.399-05:002010-12-21T20:27:06.399-05:00I was thinking especially about what you said abou...I was thinking especially about what you said about the stockings. We never hear this much, but giving a gift is an art in itself. Trying to find the gift and match it is a kind of statement of love, of how well you know that person. Thank you for that post.<br /><br />GarceGarceushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160407485298015371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-86271402899798510582010-12-21T09:45:46.201-05:002010-12-21T09:45:46.201-05:00Everyone - you make me feel like less of a scrooge...Everyone - you make me feel like less of a scrooge! Thanks to all for your replies.Kathleen Bradeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347913255760493335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-77155228706183414392010-12-21T09:39:52.090-05:002010-12-21T09:39:52.090-05:00Kathleen,
I think that you have actually hit the ...Kathleen,<br /><br />I think that you have actually hit the true spirit of Christmas on the head, at least how my family and I see it. <br /><br />It isn't about what is under the tree, or decorating the house, but about the special moments together, the accidental traditions that make us feel good and closer to each other, the special things that show we really care, like making sure each stocking has something of meaning and not just stuff.<br /><br />We never did Santa Claus with my daughter, and she has asked us why many times. We always tried to explain it, but this year, she is finally old enough that she is starting to get it. Christmas is about being a family, about closeness, and we didn't want to mar that spirit with lies.<br /><br />I won't knock anyone else for doing as they feel is best in regards to Santa Claus ... but for us, we felt it better to not tell lies to our daughter. So no Santa, no Easter Bunny, and although she knows there is no tooth fairy, she delights in daddy's attempts to sneak into her room and put money under her pillow without waking her up.<br /><br />MichelleMichelle Houston/Houston Michaelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04046927781480479979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-27793768784858356372010-12-21T04:09:01.949-05:002010-12-21T04:09:01.949-05:00"In our house, gifts are opened Christmas Eve...<i>"In our house, gifts are opened Christmas Eve and stockings are for Christmas morning. (Once we got past the Santa thing. He always left something, but only one toy.)"</i><br /><br />How funny, that was exactly how we did it too (the Santa present was our "big" present for the year). I haven't encountered many others who've arranged it that way historically, so how interesting to see Craig's family did so as well! Huh.<br /><br />Very happy winter to you, Kathleen. (Also, I'm now hungry for corn chowder with crab and fresh bread....)Emeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00819037087504004841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-55455272160342419052010-12-20T22:40:54.223-05:002010-12-20T22:40:54.223-05:00Lisabet - When people say "I have to send ou...Lisabet - When people say "I have to send out cards, or "I have to decorate," what they really mean is that they want to. It took me a while to figure out that I didn't "have to" do most of the things other people do, but now that I know, there's no way I will. That doesn't mean that I want them to stop, I just don't want to be part of it. "Have to" isn't fun.Kathleen Bradeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347913255760493335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-14694122436406281032010-12-20T22:27:34.737-05:002010-12-20T22:27:34.737-05:00Hello, Kathleen,
I think that lots of people don&...Hello, Kathleen,<br /><br />I think that lots of people don't much like Christmas. There's just this heavy load of expectation - surely there's something wrong with you if you're not all excited...<br /><br />Fortunately, you're not the sort to give in to other people's expectations!<br /><br />Take the magic where you find it!<br /><br />Hugs,<br />LisabetLisabet Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162514190572269660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-34362462058097228712010-12-20T21:08:48.646-05:002010-12-20T21:08:48.646-05:00Craig - that's how I found a way to enjoy it.Craig - that's how I found a way to enjoy it.Kathleen Bradeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347913255760493335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-48303840900059606222010-12-20T20:04:12.720-05:002010-12-20T20:04:12.720-05:00There's magic in that moment. Maybe even Chris...<i>There's magic in that moment. Maybe even Christmas magic. I've never experienced it myself, but it's cool to see it happen for someone else.</i><br /><br />Really, that is an excellent way to approach it.<br /><br />For what it's worth, your sequence, most presents on Christmas Eve, stockings Christmas morning, is how we did it when the kids were young. A lot of your Christmas celebration sounds like ours.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing it.Craig Sorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08101869420537661374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-183481879957696562010-12-20T16:08:32.811-05:002010-12-20T16:08:32.811-05:00Mike - Thanks.Mike - Thanks.Kathleen Bradeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06347913255760493335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-31484121432708919692010-12-20T12:34:55.086-05:002010-12-20T12:34:55.086-05:00Delightful and quite the opposite of a downer.
Me...Delightful and quite the opposite of a downer.<br /><br />Merry ChristmasMike Kimerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002309169478171450noreply@blogger.com