@QVCkitty1 wrote:
I think that in general we over analyze the holidays. Why didn't they say, Merry Christmas, why do they decorate so much or not enough, and gifting is it's own can of worms. Did you enjoy yourself yesterday? If you did, don't worry about what other people are doing. If it wasn't great, well sometimes that's just how it goes.
@QVCkitty1
Pretty profound and true statement!
I think we do way over analyze it, and mostly what others are doing or not, what they give, who they give to etc.
So many here are offended by the 'gift' closet mentality that Q espouses. I for one, found a few general gifts in the closet to come in very handy in years past. I had a couple of kids things (usually an educational toy, books or building sets) that came in handy for unexpected birthday invites, and the occasional candle, pretty note cards or handmade felted wool mittens for when an invited guest would bring along someone we weren't expecting during a holiday meal or exchange. I don't think it wrong to have such things or to not have them. It is about what works for each individual, and can't see the amount of time people spend on here worrying over someone else gifting the bus driver and the mail carrier.
I agree it a waste of time to look for reasons to be offended this time of year, based on what greeting is expressed, how early it was stated, to whom it was directed or from whom it came. Any kind and heart felt salutation is ok in my book. Beats getting the finger as someone cuts you off in last minute mall traffic!
I choose to enjoy the pictures or visits with those who decorate to the 'nines' just the same as those who simply hang a wreath on the door. I don't disparage them doing different than I do. I barely have time to worry about what I'm wanting to do (or not do) any given year.
As far as who gifts what number of people, how much they spend, or what types of gifts they give, well, that is pretty much a personal thing, that for most of us changes as we go through life and our circumstances change over the years.
As to the OP, yes, those holidays of old did seem better because of the simplicity.
I realize we were seeing them through the eyes of a child, there was less stress as we weren't the adults worrying about all those adult things, and we simply got to enjoy the season.
I'm sure for many today, there is now the added stress of feeling the need to give (especially to kids) the things that they know other children will be getting and are considered 'essential' for today's young people. Unfortunately many expensive electronics are now considered necessary for them to fit in (phones) or to be properly educated (computers and other things of that type). It has become a little more than just keeping up with the Joneses, but keeping your kids in the latest technology for them to 'succeed' today.
I think that as a society gets more advanced and more wealthy, expectations in general rise and the satisfaction of those expectations becomes quite a burden.
For us personally, we are reducing both the number of and cost of things we gift in our family as we all have obtained all we need and most of what we want.
We have scaled back over the last several years, and next year we have actually set a gift limit for all adults. We are choosing to gift mostly things that are practical and needed. Everyone that participates agrees, and we make no judgement if someone else wishes to gift their loved ones lavish expensive and frivolous things. It's all good, as people do what they prefer.
I know in the past that the OP mentions, in our family, those simple and often gifts of clothing were rooted in the fact that we had very little (relative to today), and things cost a bigger percentage of income than many do now.
Our closets back then were very bare. I had only 5 dresses for school, one for each day. You'd be hard pressed today to find a school age girl that only had five outfits. So a gift of clothing was indeed a big deal.
I know that we also received nothing during the year, except gifts on our birthday and Christmas. Some clothing and a new pair of shoes for back to school. We got no toys, no clothing, just nothing in between those times. Today's kids (and adults) seem to be treated (or treat themselves) to new things almost every week. It is nothing today for most people to just buy what they want.
But back then, the simplest of things were a big deal, because it was months and months in between receiving the few things we did get.
My personal opinion is that people today (in general, not everyone) aren't really grateful or appreciative of the little and simple things.They simply have 'too much' (that isn't a judgement about the quanity or cost of their things, just the fact that even among the poor, we now have so much stuff relative to several generations ago). It takes more and more to 'impress' many people.
Well, maybe I should stop, because I think I just way over analyzed the holidays!!!LOL
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Don't forget to include several of those Dyson $500 hair dryers in the gift closet (lol)
