{Trying to} Ignore the madness
It’s only the middle of November, and already the madness has begun.
Starts happening earlier every year, I know, but hey, when there’s a buck to be made, money grubbing retailers have no scruples, we all know that.
Ads are rife already.
They tell us what children need under the tree, and let me add, it was decided many months ago, what is in for Christmas this year.
Ordinarily, what’s in has a price tag that could feed a 3rd world country for 6 months.
Apparently kids have got to receive it under the tree, or their lives will be forever ruined and in post Christmas months, parents will be forking out for therapy bills the size of a national debt, because the children will feel depraved deprived.
Amidst the madness, why we actually have Christmas is lost, that’s the sad part.
I’m not an overly religious person, but the meaning behind Christmas is certainly not lost on me, not by anyone’s standards.
This year we’re going to Victoria.
We’ll spend 5 days with family we don’t see nearly enough of, we’ll eat, drink and be merry, but before we go I have things to do, and buy.
Yes, we’ll leave presents behind for those we’re not spending the holidays with, but there are other presents to buy as well.
For many, many years, I’ve bought gifts for people less fortunate than us, and I put them under the Wishing Tree, and in fact, until about 3 years ago, Mark didn’t even know I do it.
As our family has been blessed, and grown with grandchildren, the amount of gifts I put under the tree has also grown.
For every grandchild we have, I put a present under the tree.
This year there are 8 presents to be bought and wrapped.
Our grandchildren are lucky to have been born into a close knit {albeit somewhat disfunctional} family, and are surrounded by people who love and cherish them, but many are not so lucky as we all know.
Before we board our plane on December 23rd, I will have purchased the following gifts.
2 for 9 year old girls
1 for a 7 year old boy
2 for 6 year old boys
1 for an almost 3 year old boy
1 for an almost 2 year old girl
1 for a baby boy, a year or less old
I have no idea of who they will go to, but I’ll buy them all the same.
These gifts will be nothing like what’s in this year, nor will they cost a squillion dollars, but I can tell you this.
They will go to children far less fortunate than our grandchildren.
Children who don’t have the advantages every child should have.
Children who were born without the choices I know our grandchildren will have as they grow, and born to parents who are either unable, or unwilling, to do what should be done for every child born.
To me, it’s things like we do every year that Christmas is about.
Thinking of those less fortunate, and making an effort to brighten their lives just a little.
Whilst I detest the commercialisation of Christmas, the thought of any child having nothing on the day, breaks my heart.
Every child deserves at least one gift, even if it’s only a teddy bear.
I tell you this not to have people say “Good on you Maureen!!” but in the hope that they will remember what Christmas is about.
A celebration of life and family and a time to reflect on how lucky some {read Mark and I} are in comparison to many.
As uncharitable as it may be to say this, the retailers can go to hell and shove their what’s in this year gifts clean up their arse, because I want none of it.
I’m trying hard to ignore the madness and merely do what I’ve always done.
Enjoy our family and be bloody grateful for exactly how lucky we are with the family and friends we have, because it’s these people that make the day as good as it can get.
That’s what Christmas is about.
It’s got nothing to do with the garbage sprouted by slimey money grubbing retailers, nor has it got anything to do with how much you spend.
It’s about what you do, and appreciating what, and who, you have in your life, and being grateful for them.
I’m more blessed than I could ever have imagined I would be, and I appreciate it more than I can ever say.
I can but hope there are 8 kids who’s Christmas will be brightened just a little this year too.
Categories: Australia, Christmas, Faith, family, thoughts
4 Comments »
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November 15th, 2009 at 7:46 am
This time of the year arrives the same way it does every year.It comes with all the hoopla and confusion,a retail nightmare.
The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is sheer madness.People get up early and wait for the stores to open so they can buy their giant TV’s and whatever the store is “giving away at a bargain price”.
There was a stampede at a Wallmart last year.Doors were broken, people were hurt.Just awful.
Trying to ignore the madness is exactly what I am going to do.
For the sake of the little ones,I try to remember how much I loved Santa Claus and the magic of it all. You’re right,no child should be without a gift on Christmas morning.
We have a wishing tree at church.It has tags on it that bear the first name and age of a child.We have so much fun picking out gifts for the kids.When you take a tag off the tree, you replace it with an ornament.Needless to say,the tree is very decorated!
the madness seems to be getting worse, or maybe it’s just that my tolerance level is getting lower as i get older? probably more to the point i think!
the thinking behind people turning violent or nasty over material things just eludes me. at the end of the say, it’s a “thing” FFS. certainly not worth turning on each other over….
**shaking head**
We too are very fortunate in life.We might not have everything we want but we have everything we need.
you know honey, i know from first hand experience that the more you have, most times the more you want..we have a wonderful family, food, a roof over our heads, clothes to wear and friends to die for..what more do we really need?
wishing trees are a great idea…i believe every person should at least leave something little…it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, just a little something to brighten a child’s life…that doesn’t take a lot…i’ve found that those who say they can’t afford it can always find money for alcohol and cigarettes…funny about that hey??
moe
November 15th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I’ve never been one to give in and buy the latest fad for my kids and, thankfully, they’ve grown up to not follow the herd in the latest fashion/trend.
The Wishing Tree is a good idea, good on ya, Moe
I’ve never been much into the fad thing either…i’m not a sheep and refuse to act like one…
i’m lucky in that my girls are similar….i love the wishing tree…mind you, i have to search to find the ones i want now and then…people must think i’m strange…i probably look like some bizarre cat/bag lady going through all the tags!
moe
November 20th, 2009 at 8:18 am
I am so with you on this !!!!
All the advert’s hype really takes the pleasure out of things doesn’t it?
only if we let in honey…like i said, i try to ignore it and keep things real….
moe
November 20th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I always knew you two were angels of sorts anyway.
No surprise here. Sowwy.
Bless you both.
1,000 times over.
Your grandchildren have no idea how fortunate they are (although I know your daughters do)
now you made me blush!
not angels sweetie, just people who appreciate how lucky they are is all…if there’s any way we can help make someone’s life a little easier, well, we just do…
i know of at least 3 people who would tell you’re the devil reincarnated into 2 people, and 2 who think that are family…go figure!
Talk to you tomorrow night! (yay!)
~m
yay indeed! can’t wait!
moe