A simple Christmas

Leading up to the holidays people everywhere seem to be rushing, getting frustrated and generally not having a very good time. This year Mary Morgan re-evaluates what she really needs for Christmas.

I must start by stating that although I was brought up Catholic, I am no longer a practising Catholic and I have not been for many years. I do believe though that that we must do right by our fellow man and treat others as we wish to be treated. It is this belief system and getting older that brings me to my tale.

Money is tight this year, which has forced me to re-evaluate what we really need for Christmas and how we can celebrate on a shoestring budget. Yes, I will not be able to spoil my two girls and granddaughter this year but, for the first time in many years, we will be celebrating with extended family. Also for the first time in many years my shifts at work are not interfering with Christmas and even though the money is not there, it feels good.

I have been fortunate though as I am able to sew. It is with pleasure then that I am able to create gifts for my family with the materials that I already possess, and the best part is, they are all Nanna originals as I call them. They may not be fabulous and expensive gifts but they are made from the heart and they will hopefully be treasured items for many years. Being financially strapped has been good for us in the respect that now I have to ask, is it something that I really need or is it just a want.

It also reminds me of the times when my two girls were growing up and I was a single mother. Again money was tight but we survived. As part of their Christmas presents, I used to decorate pillow cases with cheap tinsel and cut outs from cheap wrapping paper. These were filled with small toys such as bubbles from cheap stores and they loved it. My mother would always put on lunch so the extended family would gather. As we have six children and numerous grandchildren in the family, Christmas was always lively at mum’s house and certainly never boring. We all remember her fondly and it was she who held the family together. Her death six years ago had a big impact and it is times like this that I still miss her.

As I am getting older I can’t help but think how commercialised Christmas has become. People appear frazzled and stressed and parking alone becomes a nightmare in some shopping centres. Everywhere people are rushing, getting frustrated and generally don’t seem to be having a good time. Are we really treating others they way that we wish to be treated or are we so busy buying that all important gift that we have forgotten the meaning of Christmas?

To me, Christmas is about family, laughter, good times and just being there for each other when we fall down or make mistakes. As I have said, I have not been a practising Catholic for many years but I do believe that being humble and grounded is not a bad thing. I do believe that we only have one short life. What if we would truly enjoy it and learnt to take pleasure in the small things? Life is after all what we make of it and sometimes circumstances simply make us re-evaluate what is truly important.

Merry Christmas everyone, be safe, be well and most importantly, be true to your beliefs.

0 Comments

1. 

   ShaunnaTopping

   January 20, 2016 at 5:08 am

   I love Christmas! I’ve

   I love Christmas! I've always been looking forward for Christmas day every year. I get to spend a whole day with the whole family. I love giving gifts especially to kids. I love chatting with the whole family reminiscing the past. That's true, Christmas has become commercialised. People tend to rush and get stressed shopping for gifts. Sad, but it's true. Some people are not aware anymore what Christmas really is.