There are many components: tree, ornaments, stockings, presents, wreaths, lights, etc.
And lets not forget all of the food: cookies, caramels, pies, popcorn balls, etc.
All of those things are great and I love them, but my most favorite part about this year is giving.
As much as I love to decorate, bake, wrap, and sing, I really, really love to give presents. I love picking out a special gift for each family member and friend on my shopping list. I love putting my time and thought into my shopping list and finding that one gift that is absolutely perfect and that I know the receive will love! For example: Last year I was looking ALL OVER for a gift for my dad and I couldn't find what I wanted to give him. But then I was at a store just browsing through their Christmas section and I found it. A dancing and singing hippopotamus. My dad absolutely loves the song (and history behind it) "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," which is what the hippo sings and dances to. I thought it would be hilarious and more of a gag gift. Low and behold, it was his favorite gift that year and it still sits out where everyone can see it all year long. It's also the Squid's favorite gift last year too.
As stressful and hard it is to find that perfect gift for each member of the family, I love it. I love seeing their faces when they open their gift and instantly fall in love with it. I love seeing the gift in use. I love seeing the joy each gift brings. Yes, I may have searched all over town (and maybe a couple more) to find the gift. It may have taken a few months of stressing, searching, and traveling to find it. I may have lost some hair over it. And yes, sometimes I fail and don't find that perfect gift, but I know that no matter what I give them, those who love me will love that I even thought about them during this time of year.
I couldn't care less about what everyone gets me or how many gifts I get. I don't need a lot. I don't need the latest and greatest tech gadget. I don't need the latest movie. I don't need toys, lots of clothes, kitchen supplies, etc. I already have everything I may ever need. I do have desires and wants, but if I don't get them, it's not the end of the world. Christmas won't be ruined if I don't get that one item I've been yearning for all year or the one movie I saw this year that I don't already have. Christmas will be ruined if I can't give to those I love the most. Christmas will be ruined if I don't have a roof over my head, clothes to keep me warm, and food to keep me fed. Christmas will be ruined if I can't express my love through music, gifts, and time. Christmas will be ruined if there is no love during this time of year.
That's the whole reason for the season! Jesus Christ was sent to this earth, atoned for our sins, suffered on Gethsemane, and was put up on the cross because he and our Heavenly Father love us. No one anywhere at any time would make the sacrifices they do if they didn't love anyone. God sacrificed his Only Begotten because He loves us. Jesus Christ stood up and said, "Send me," because he loves us. We may not feel their love all the time, especially when we are at our lowest, but I know that they do love us and they are constantly watching over us and blessing us with what we need.
That being said, I challenge all of my readers to help someone in need this Christmas season. It's not too late. I participated in Jamberry's Black Friday Remix where a portion of the sales from that weekend went to Toys for Tots. Want to know how much we donated? $150,000! And I am very happy to say that I helped with that. So please give. Put your change in the bucket of the poor soul ringing the bell outside the store. Give a neighbor some help with shoveling the walks. Put an item into the Food Bank and Toys for Tots boxes. Whatever you can give, please give it.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Make sure to tell the ones you love that you love them!
I love you all!
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