This time of year has always been my absolute favorite. I love the lights, the Christmas tree, the carols, the baking... but most of all I love those little moments where you can feel the spirit of... goodness. The cheer. It is there, if you look for it. And it is even more there if you give it as well as receive it. Example: Trip to the store to pick up last minute Christmas presents for family members you forgot... you are feeling harried and perhaps a little cranky... you see a mom with a screaming child... there are many ways to react, of course, but in the spirit of the season (or for goodwill anytime) a warm encouraging smile at the mom can both make her feel better... and you as well :). It's funny how when you are having a rough day the smile of a stranger can brighten it drastically. Or perhaps a kind word, holding a door open for someone, helping someone elderly (or not so elderly) carry things to their car. Leave a generous tip for an exhausted server at a restaurant or a barista at a coffee shop. Call someone you haven't spoken to in a long time, email them, write a card, postcard, note... this time of year can be so full of joy if we let it, but even more so if we help it.
I have been sending out a lot of little gifts this season, to new friends and old. Handmade, of course, ;). It feels wonderful. I love to write notes and make people smile, don't you? I have a lot more work to do, I had so many plans for my shop... but things have gotten behind with the entire family catching illnesses over and over lol. Not major illnesses, but the type to induce a great deal of whining among the wee ones. I was tempted to be disappointed in myself and then I realized... this means that I have spent more time with my little ones. And that is a good thing. I've decided to hold what is very likely my last sale of the year in the shop, you can use the coupon code: MERRY for 20% off your order.
Merry Christmas, everyone. I will likely put up another post before then... but just in case, I had to say it. Sending you all warm thoughts and wishes for a wonderful holiday season and beautiful new year <3 Leaving you with a collage of some of my latest works.
Love, Jennifer
What does this time of year mean for me?
ReplyDeleteWell, unfortunately it doesn't always mean a holiday (which is one reason I get cross at the "Happy Holidays!" sentiment, although I can understand why people say it): for me, Christmas has sometimes been a time for shift-work or even just a normal day's work. Not something I have a choice in: everyone has to take their turn.
But what Christmas does mean to me, above all else, is: peace.
Whatever else is going on at Christmas, I can always find an inner sense of peace, and this is something that helps me to reflect, to reconnect with my true self and with the people I love, and to reassert the fundamental values that matter to me.
And kindness, yes, I agree with you. We should be kind all year round, but we should be specially kind at Christmas. Not just because it's a time of celebration but for some people it's a bittersweet or even a sad time (for all sorts of reasons), and those people need our kindness on that day more than any other.
Sarah, that's so true, thank you for reminding me... I know there are so many who don't get much of a holiday this time of year. My parents both have worked most every holiday since I moved out (my mom works at a hospital which obviously doesn't close for Christmas lol, and my dad at Walmart). I sometimes get caught up because my little ones and my husband have both been on a school schedule the last two years, which does have holiday. Though my husband tends to work parts of it anyway work study.. I'm rambling. Hm. I do that. Anyway, my point! Was thank you for reminding me not everyone gets that holiday. I need to think about what I say before I do, yes? LOL As for the other, also so sad but true :( There are many who are dealing with their own struggles and it is good to keep that in mind also. <3 <3 Thank you for your thoughtful comment, it means so much!
DeleteWhat I don't like how early we are shoved into the Christmas buying frenzy by the stores, yet I do know some like to shop early. This year I saw Christmas things out the same time as Halloween.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's all about family, and celebrating our Savior's birth, savoring little things like baking with my kids, enjoying the decorations and Christmas songs, helping those who need a little help to get through either financially or just to lend a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on.
I agree, it does feel like the stores are catapulting us into the season so very early now... my father suggested dryly that they may begin putting up displays in the summer next year!
DeleteI hope that you get to do all the things you love this year! Have a very very merry Christmas and may you and your family be truly blessed <3
Lovely post, if only everyone would take this time of year to think a bit more about spreading some joy to others :) Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteI think that Christmas is like Disneyland, and is always more magical when one has children. Well-behavied children -- not like the ones that can be found on the net, screaming and acting like brats because they got the white iPhone and not the black one, or whatever. But just kids for whom the magic of Christmas still exists. Everything seems more meaningful then. :)
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, leading up to the holiday I work a lot and Eric works a lot, though he gets a couple of weeks off after Christmas, and I love that.
Wishing you and yours lots of love and warmth this season, honey. <3