Is this Christmas holiday season any different to you than any other?
This year, there are constant reports that there is concern that consumer spending will be down during the holidays. Why is it that this seems to be more important than other aspects of Christmas?
I know my five year old wants new toys, a remote controlled Tigger he saw on tv, Star Wars legos, but does he really need any of it? Both of his toy boxes are filled to overflowing as are his closet, the closet under the stairs and our entertainment center.
This year, we're taking a step back and looking at what is truly important about Christmas.
This year, Dylan will be one week past his first birthday on Christmas morning. This year, he is fascinated by our walk through the tree lot and points when we first turn on the lights on our tree.
This year, we are focusing more on our traditions - sharing cups of hot chocolate while decorating the tree and watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
This year, David already knows Christmas won't be extravagant; it just doesn't seem that important. Of course there will be a few gifts under the tree for the boys, but how much can they really use?
Instead, this year we're looking forward to celebrating Dylan's first birthday with a family members and a few friends. We'll go to the Newport Beach boat parade and watch the festive parade of lighted boats during the 100th anniversary.
We'll sit home in front of a fire and play games, read book and talk about our lives. We'll watch with delight as Dylan experiences each of these aspects of the season for the first time. He was one week old last Christmas and undoubtedly has no memories of it.
Will he, like his brother before him, prefer the boxes and wrapping paper to the toys inside?
Can we not learn from him about the simple joys of being with family of laughing together of strengthening our family traditions that don't have to include commercialism and consumerism as the final measure of a successful Christmas?
Whether this time of year means Christmas or Hanukkah, family or the celebration of a birth to you, for our family it will not be a Hallmark holiday with profligate spending packaged up as holiday cheer to put retailers in the black. Instead, we'll focus on those things that are truly important to us and enjoy this special time of year and the memories we are creating.
How will you spend your holiday?
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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.
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Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale. Copyright © 2008 by Christine Donovan, All Rights Reserved. What Does Christmas Mean to You? - Enjoying My Son's (Almost) First Christmas
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