Christmas Time!

I love Christmas Time, moreso since I had kids.

I don't particularly like the commercialism surrounding Christmas.
However the parts of the commercialism I do like is - going to the mall and sitting on a bench and watching the people. People can be quite entertaining!
I like the fact that is boosts the economy! I worked at a high end Jewelry store for a while, and believe me they start talking Christmas in July! Christmas is when they make their money, I dare say half the years profit comes from Christmas time.

As far as my teeny tiny business goes, nothing really changes at Christmas time, I have made some specific Christmas sales over the years, but nothing to brag about.
This year, no different
I can't even put my new merchandise in my shop,
MY CAMERA BROKE! All the way BROKE!

Traditionally we would go to my parents house for Christmas. My family and my Brother's family.
Since my dad died 3.5 years ago, we have tried to keep up the tradition. But it is not the same!
We get together, and my hubby makes my dad's special dish, and there is just an air of, well not the same joy that there used to be.
There are 3 small children now though, and it is very fun to watch all three tear into their gifts.
that is very joyous!
My husband and I, do not have alot of $$, therefore we cannot get great gifts for my mother, brother and SIL. Though we try to for the kids.
There is some (not guilt, not shame, I just can't think of the word) because they always get us really nice, and expensive things.
My mother always asks what we want specifically, and what we want is never cheap. But she seems to get joy out of getting us those things we cannot get for ourselves.
I don't really care for the getting something for someone because I asked what they want, but I would rather put some thought and creativity into it. Even if I gave someone a four-leaf clover for good luck, that should mean more than some $1000 leather boots (just an example).

Anyway we have made the decision to break away from our standard christmas.
We don't want to drive 3 hours again (just did it for Thanksgiving and the kids were not happy about the drive). We don't care for sleeping in a bed which is too small for hubby, me and my youngest. Its cold there. And my dad isn't here anymore, why try to keep things the same, when they are not?
And Christmas does not even mean the same for us as it does them.
They are all Christian and Jesus birth yadda yadda,
For me I prefer to celebrate in a more pagan style - ya know the original festivities.
The tree, yule log, garland, ext....

I hate lying to my kids about Santa. When my oldest was one and two years old people kept asking what Santa was bringing. I hated to start with it, and felt I had no choice. Now they believe whole heartedly.
Oh well maybe when they realize Santa is not a real entity they will question other made up Characters.
And maybe they will not begrudge us for lying, for the sake of the magic and wonder of Christmas.

This year we will be celebrating with friends! YAY I am so excited. I am looking forward to helping plan the food, and making the food, I want to make a Yule Log Cake with my kids on the Solstice, They need to know what Solstice is all about, not enough people celebrate it in its own right. And I am making gifts for them from the heart. My kids will also make something, though I am not sure what yet. I want my hubby to also but he is so busy he may not be able to.
That is ok though, this christmas is about family and friends and togetherness, and love, more than gift giving.

We want to give my kids a good Christmas first and foremost. We have already gotten my eldest son a bike and my younger one a nice jungle play set.
They may get a few more items but it won't be much this year.

Anyways I am happy, and I am pulling out the decorations soon!