Christmas Past

Every Christmas is the same at the Dean Roberts home.

shop, shop, shop,
run, run, run,
spend, spend, spend
wrap, wrap, wrap,

Then I wake up Christmas morning exhausted and grumpy.
However Christmas morning is certainly glorious
and usually overflowing with stuff.
We unwrap like crazy...

play
play
play

and then ... There is a big let down for me.

I don't know why...actually I do.
I feel my kids are missing out on really participating
in the "giving" part of Christmas.
I know I have said this before,
but we tell our kids that Christmas is more about "giving" than "getting"
then we go about asking them everyday "what are you going to get for Christmas?"
As if that is all that should matter to a kid.
I am determined, no resolute that this year will be different.
I don't know how yet.
Don't get me wrong, we have some great family traditions,
and yes; my kiddies will be receiving Christmas presents this year
probably lots of them, I just want to try something different.
Any suggestions? Let me know what works for you.
I have a few ideas, and I will keep you posted.
One year on Christmas Eve we had a traditional feast on our living room floor
complete with un-leven bread, olives, cheese, grape juice, fruit etc.
and we read the "Christmas Story."
Maybe I will try that again this year.