Pre Christmas Eve

Christmas for me  has really changed over the years. Instead of getting caught up in the holiday rush, I stand back and observe. I see so many people stress themselves over putting up decorations, attending functions and buying gifts. It's hard to imagine how any of these folks could enjoy the holidays. When I was a child Christmas seemed to last longer.  No one was in a hurry, like they are today. Gifts where simple too. I probably got more enjoyment from a new basketball than what a lot of kids get today. This is why this year I decided to keep my Christmas simple. For the first time, my son and I opted not to do a tree. We bought gift cards for the first time. I think it took about 2 minutes to buy 20 cards and I have to admit I loved doing it.  I'm not the best at choosing gifts and I'm trying to be practical. It's not that my son and I don't like trees or lack the Christmas spirit. We both would rather focus more  on others and family, than just ourselves. Both of us still decorate my parent's tree. Our  celebration of the holidays is pretty basic, with no real timelines to meet. By dialing back our own activities, hopeful we can  recapture those moments that made Christmas so special for my family.