Xmas wishes

Hello peeps!

Did you all get loads of pressies from Santa yesterday?

We had a very nice family gathering, with food, laughter and presents. Wagon loads of presents! Less than last year - la crise oblige :) - but still enough to fill the few car loads!

Very early on, I told the family I did not want any presents. Call me Scrooge, but anything they would give me, either I would have to find a space for it in my bag or it would spend a whole year in storage while I am off traveling. I still got a few little things - bless them - but all very practical: food, food and more food :)

While I was high on all the chocolate and sweets I got from Santa, I got remembering the Christmases of my youth. Back when everything was less about how many gifts you could afford, but more about that sense of togetherness that would wrap around you like a fluffy blanket.

OK, I know things always seem nicer and rosier when you look back on the "good old days", bit still. I remember each one would bring a dish to share and a couple of gifts, and we would all get a little token pressie at the end of the evening. Sitting at the table and sharing food was the main focus of the evening, not the frantic unwrapping of presents.

Now it feels the more stuff under the tree the better.

But actually not so in my opinion - specially when looking at the truck load of gifts for the kids! My little nephews and nieces had so much stuff, they could not focus on any one thing. They were opening gifts whilst eying the next one already. In the end - everything was opened, but already this morning all these toys are pushed to a side!

Now do not get me wrong - it is always nice to receive a gift. it makes you feel a bit fuzzy inside whether you are the giver or the receiver. But - I think we should be careful with confusing buying power with measure love.Even with the most disgruntled teenager, more gifts is not equal more love. It just means you have deep pockets and calls for more

So leave the credit card in, your bank account will thank you for it, and give more of yourself - this is the most important.

If the end of the world was tonight, you sure would spend the rest your time together - so I wish you all a very Merry Xmas and my wish is that you enjoy some loving and caring time with your families and friends.

OH OH OH
:)