Its almost time for Christmas, and I have only just started to think about organising family presents. Not even thought about xmas cards, decorating or food (yet!) but I guess that I will have to because its about four weeks to Christmas.
Gee where did the year go…not sure what your thoughts are but this year has seem to have gone by far too fast. Time to think about writing a Letter to Dear Mr Santa Claus asking Whats For Christmas.
This year I want to be about Christmas to be about giving!
Dear Mr Santa Claus Whats For Christmas?
Christmas 2010 – Our Gorgeous Tree and Decorations…all in our Shipping Container!
I was wondering when my kids decided that Christmas was all about Gifts? When did they discover that Christmas was about asking Santa for the biggest toys, the most toys and the ones that were really BIG?
Maybe they have always been that way, but we didnt notice because we had a huge house to spread out in, and they got away with asking for the biggest toys in the shop. But this year is different.
This year I want to teach our boys about the real meaning of Christmas, and the real meaning of what it is all about!
What Is The Meaning Of Christmas
Christmas Angel on our Tree – 2010
We are not a religious family (not that we are against it, just that we believe in spiritual things!) so I decided to do a bit of research about “The Meaning Of Christmas” and I was surprised with what I found out.
What Christmas Is Meant To Be…
Christmas or Christmas Day is in fact a day that falls on December 25th – its a christian holiday that is meant to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ.
The orginial day was meant to be in January 6, and with some religion they still have that day set aside for celebration. It is thought that the day is meant to fall in the 9 months of the celebration of the conception of Jesus.
But is that what we now think of Christmas Day?
Within the same article that I found on Wikipedia I read these words
“Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses”
Now that is what I have been thinking!
The Joy Of Christmas – What is it all about?
How can an article about the meaning of Christmas have information about the retail world? What about giving..where has that gone?
Christmas is so over rated. Even the shops start to put in their displays earlier every year. Am I getting too old, or is it because our lifestyle has changed?
Christmas Decorations – All In storage!!
The idea behind Christmas needs to come back in – where we spend quality time with each other, and where we show we all care about one another. This year I want my boys to realise how lucky they are – they have the best of the best already.
hey dont need more “Stuff” to fill up the Motorhome, and take away from the day. Yet they have already started to ask for toys…toys I know that within 2 minutes they will put down.
Nearly every year they play with the boxes that are given – not the actually toys….so maybe this year we should wrap up big boxes? That way they could create their own cubby houses?
The Idea of Giving This Year
Dear Mr Santa Claus Whats For Christmas,
Mr Santa Claus for Christmas I would like my boys to be grateful for all that they have, and all that they will receive.
If they receive more time with the family, then could they please say Thank-You.
If they see the joy of caring, could they please say Thank-you.
If they see the family having fun, could they please join in.
If they see that we are helping another family, could they please join in.
If they see that we have brought them all one gift, can they please be grateful.
If they see another family going without, can they please be grateful for all that they have.
On Christmas morning could they please wake up with smiles on their faces, laughter throughout the day and a day of caring/sharing!
Because Dear Mr Santa Claus we would like Christmas to be about family.
What Would You Like To Write To Dear Mr Santa Claus to ask Whats For Christmas?
Cheers
Lisa
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Please note that this was part of an amazing group writing project. A group writing project where other travelling families shared their thoughts on “Whats For Christmas”. Please connect with these families….
A Kings Life – Forget The Gifts Give An Experience This Christmas
Peace On Earth – A Different Kind of Christmas
Family Trek – Whats For Christmas?
The Nomadic Family – Poverty For Christmas
With 2 Kids in Tow, Its Packing We Go – Dear Santa, For This Christmas We Wish
Living Outside The Box – The Best Christmas
Discover Share Inspire – Christmas Is Coming – What Do We Give On The Road
Bohemian Travelers – Gift Giving While Living a Simple Life
Little Aussie Travelers – Presence vs Presents – Christmas Time for Travelling Families
Family Travel Bucket List – Feliz Navidad Without All the Stuff
Life and Views – Christmas Travelling
Adventurous Childhood – Christmas
A Minor Diversion – Reinenting Christmas
Carried On The Wind – Christmas Giving
Love your list of requests for Santa. I, too, would love to see a more grateful attitude from my children, but I know it takes time…and maturity. And I love your wish for “On Christmas morning could they please wake up with smiles on their faces, laughter throughout the day and a day of caring/sharing!” Sounds like a PERFECT Christmas!
Hi Susan,
so very true!! Would love a perfect xmas 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
Your pictures put me in the Christmas spirit! The letter to Santa is great, especially about hoping that the kids are grateful even for one gift. Are you doing a tree in the motorhome?
Diya recently posted..Reinventing Christmas
Hi Diya,
I so love the idea of giving at Christmas. We so need the Christmas Spirit to keep on giving to others 🙂
There is no room in the motorhome for a tree, but we do have lights for decorations.
Cheers
Lisa
Very good sentiments, I agree completely! The Santa letter was my favorite part, darn, wish I thought of that:) Maybe letting them know ahead of time that they will be receiving 1 gift may help to head off any sadness or ungratefullness? Knowledge is power! How about a family gift of a neat excursion that you would normally say was off limits for normal spending? Just some thought!
Mary recently posted..Gift giving while living a simpler life
Hi Mary,
Love your ideas and about giving them heads up about what to expect for gifts at Christmas time.
We are doing the same again this year – making it about experiences rather than about gifts.
The Santa letter was fun!
Cheers
Lisa
Hope you have the Christmas of your dreams!
Thanks Rebeca – hope your Christmas is magical.
Cheeers
Lisa
Living a different lifestyle will in time, make a difference to their attitudes, if not this year, then next! We too are not overly religious yet are still trying to embrace the true meaning of Christmas in our family tradition. Hope your Christmas wishes come true!
with2kidsintow recently posted..Hong Kong– Bright Lights, BIG City
@with2kidsintow
Thanking you so much for your Chrismtas message – I like that it will make a difference to their attitudes sometime down the road 🙂
Cheers
Lisa