Christmas: All About Things?

People like to complain about how the Holidays are too commercial. But how many people actually do anything about it? How many people stop what they're doing and volunteer at a shelter or a halfway house? How many people forgo gifts for their families and donate to charity instead? How many people take all their yummy Holiday food and give it to a lonesome neighbor?

I don't, for the most part.

You know what? I think materialism is fun. I very lucky to have a happy life, a wonderful husband, lots of good freinds, enough to eat, all that there. But I love giving presents. I really, really enjoy it. So I am one of those types who spends more than they should buying people things. I don't think that makes me overtly materialistic. Or does it? I suppose in some people's estimation, it does.

You know what else? I enjoy receiving gifts as well. It's always fun to see what kind of things people pick out for me. H's Mom just sent me a pair of heart earrings, the kind of thing I would never choose for myself. But they are really beautiful and I'm delighted to have them. Plus it was such a cool surprise. Getting surprises in the mail is awesome!

In the end, I think it's okay to enjoy the whole gift giving thing. As long as you're not trampeling people, screaming at sales clerks, or sending your family into debt, go ahead and enjoy some pressies.

If anyone calls you materialistic, you can tell them I said it was okay.

Been keeping track?

Of what I wanted for Christmas?

Well, I just got both of the games I wanted.
Scene It! and Lips, so we'll have both for New Year's Eve this year.
And still haven't traded gifts with H yet. So I have even more holiday coolness to give and receive.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve dinner, which we will have chicken, corn bread stuffing (with walnuts and cranberries and mushrooms) and gravy. We don't usually do the traditional meal, but we had chicken and stuffing at thanksgiving and it was so yummy we're doing it again a month later.

Big thanks to sudrin for the ride to the Best Buy and all the fun times.

My Secret Santa person got me some Outer Limits and some Lost in Space on DVD. They remembered that I like TV. I think that's pretty cool. I bet they went over the $10 limit though. My person was pretty stoked to get their gifts. They tried on the hat immediately and raved about the Harry Potter discs. It's so fun to make someone's eyes light up with a well-chosen gift.

Now...if only my Chicago dogs would hurry up get here. I'm so starving for lupper.

I almost forgot

I almost forgot to wish my more secular friends a joyous Festivus.

Don't know about Festivus?

Your loss...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus


Now let the airing of grievances commence.