I used to buy things for everyone that I agonized over, and I always spent more than I should have. It would take me forever to find “the perfect” gift. I used to search for what I thought was a meaningful small tree ornament in addition to a present to go to my nieces and nephew each year. Not a single one of them mentioned even a thank you. The year after my sibling gave my 2 oldest kids empty gift cards and then didn’t apologize or replace them, I said enough. We don’t need to exchange gifts thank you! My parents don’t like anything and the house is packed to the rafters with crap. I have for several years bought them a food basket. Filled with locally made jams, chocolate, teas, honey, etc. My Dad informed me that they don’t like any of it because it doesn’t taste as good as Mom can make. She hasn’t made jam in 15 years, but sure. Glad he told me and I don’t have to waste my time and money anymore.
I had to see them last weekend. My youngest and I went out for supper with them. It was embarrassing how racist and obnoxious my father is. I was told after they left “Mom, I don’t know how you even came from people like that?!” Thank you. Biggest compliment I’ve had in a long while. They don’t change, they like exactly how they are.
So back in my world... Christmas is very low key. The decorations are pared down and simple. We put up a real tree with about 1/4 of the decorations that I used to. I bought a poinsettia from costco for $20. That is that. The kids are getting only a couple gifts. The oldest is getting a set of pots and pans, with some of my recipes in a book. $300. Middle is getting new glasses and sunglasses $300+ Youngest is getting some sports stuff $200. I have got dh shoes and will get a couple neckties. $200. Still debating about concert tickets. $100-180 But I think he might be in Vancouver that week. I will have to check tonight.
I would love to get family pictures done as my gift. But others aren’t as enthusiastic about that as I am š
My job has been better the last month. There is supposed to be another person joining us in the office which is good. I’m still looking for something else but for now I enjoy my schedule.
Time for after school snacks, do my wild hair for a work supper tonight, take the laundry out and pull out my ironing board.
Busy, but not. Just rolling with things these days and trying to avoid stress. Meditate and find some zen!
3 comments:
Sounds like you have made great adjustments to your holiday plans. We bought the kids skis this year. Pricey,but a good "experience" gift. We stopped by adult gifts years ago, and it makes life so much easier!
My tolerance for relative shenanigans is . . . incredibly low. A family member made a racist "joke" about people from the Middle East in front of my husband. Who is from Iran.
Experience gifts are the best! I don’t understand the “jokes”. So incredibly rude in front of your husband!
One of my husbands best friends is Canadian born but his parents came from India. A man they had in their golf group fixated on the fact his skin was brown. I don’t invite him over anymore because I cannot stand him saying “You brown guys” about everything. It’s so stupid. I asked him politely to stop. It didn’t. I told him his mentioning skin color endlessly in conversation is weird and rude. Still didn’t stop. So now he isn’t welcome in my home.
The older I get the lower my threshold for ignorance.
My daughter and I enjoy "experience" gifts also so this year we are going to the JUNOS!! I started her on the concert path when she was 12 by going to see Amanda Marshall at our local fair. Since then we've gone to dozens of concerts together - she bought tickets to see the Arkells in Sarnia for my birthday this year. She saves all the ticket stubs and we get such enjoyment from the memories.
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