Holiday Shmoliday

Who needs em? That's not really what I mean. But after just returning from the store I realized something. As the children and I were walking through the beautifully decorated aisles and row after row of glittery, shiny decorations for our Christmas season.....What about thanksgiving? I realize that now that all Hollows Eve has passed that stores have just bypassed Thanksgiving. I know I have noticed this before...but not in the same sense as I did today.

Because you see we are increasingly aware that our finances are tighter than usual, and the padding needed for an American holiday season just isn't there. But that's what brings me to Thanksgiving....as for thankfully in this holiday that isn't at all what it's about. And furthermore, thankfully neither myself nor my husband are looking for a "typical" American holiday!

What do we need? We need 2 special days. One that reminds us of all of the amazing gifts, blessings and trials that have been bestowed upon us through time...specifically the past year. One this day we need to be surrounded by family and/or friends. We also need to sit down to a meal. Not necessarily a fancy one or an extensive one. It needs to be a gathering around the table of family. That's it. That's what we need and that we will have....abundantly (might I add).

We also need another day or two that we can reflect on a birth that forever changed our lives. We again, need to surround ourselves with family and friends. Gifts? Really there are not necessary....but we can use them to teach our children lessons on giving and receiving joyfully, the obligation and joy in giving things to those who need it more than we and an overall show of care and love for others. Do we overdo it? Absolutely. Do we strive for a different typical than that shown at the store today. Yes.

Thankfully we don't need a "typical" American holiday season this year. Because...we don't want one!