Present Face

"Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money." Anonymous

I love Christmas. I love the lights that are placed on the houses, the annoying music that plays on every radio station, the looks on my nieces and nephew's face when they open their presents Christmas morning. I even love putting cup the Christmas tree every year and choosing a special ornament to add to the tree. This year is different though and Christmas just isn't feeling the same.

In an attempt to not break my bank I did start shopping a few months early. This was a good thing because it really did work. The bad thing is, I keep buying more and more presents even though I certainly have bought enough. Selfishly, this is one good reason for Christmas to be over. 

Buying gifts has become a stressful event in everyone's lives and truthfully, money has nothing to do with it. Shopping for Christmas makes everyone crazy in general. A lot of seems to be the stress of getting stuff that people like and sometimes I think it has to do with people getting things for as little as possible for as much return as possible.

My mother has never had much money. She drove a bus when I was a kid and it was something she really loved. I never had all of my wants, but she always gave me what I needed and always saved a little extra for things that I didn't need.

During Christmas one year she brought me what she could afford, this happened to be some small figurines. Mostly dolphins and all probably from the dollar store. Usually, when she brought gifts such as this, I could fake it and we would move on. This particular year I actually cried. 

I know that I was a dumb ass, a jack ass and all asses that actually exist. To be honest, I looked a bit like that baby to the picture on the right. Could you imagine being the mother that had that thing for a child? I still feel bad to this day and I actually apologized to my mother yesterday morning for it. I was probably 13 at the time and so now I am 27. That's a long time to wait for an apology.

My family is coming today so my nieces and nephew can open their presents. I know that the kids won't be the same way I was and I am looking forward to it. Just remember when you're shopping not to get depressed about spending money, stressed about what you get people or stressed about what they get you. Only buy for those you should really be buying for with the resources you have. Those you really care about will love anything, because they should be happy getting nothing. 

Also, remember that Present face is hard, but we all must get through it. Present Face