Ebay for Christmas

Just got finished ordering some used DVDs online for Christmas presents.

So what if it's used. Who says everything under the Christmas tree has to be new?

The only difference is that someone watched it once or twice...

Christ and Christmas - Thoughts on the Secular and Sacred

As a Christian, I'm bothered by an increasingly disturbing trend to erase anything Christian from the public eye.

NPR is running a hannukah special, but frequently says little about the Christian aspects of the Christmas season.

Stores say "Happy Holidays" in favor of a more "tolerant" expression of holiday cheer.

While I don't want to see my faith pushed to the side, I'm also not offended if a Jewish person wishes me "Happy Hannukah"... I should not be!

In a town not too far from here last year, Christian groups worked together to have a nativity scene placed in front of City Hall. A local wicca group petitioned to have a large pentagram painted on plywood and placed right next to the nativity. Some bonehead ran over the pentagram, causing a flurry of emotions and religious debate.

In my town, the local ministerium decided that rather than to push for a nativity in front of City Hall, why don't we encourage all of our Christian friends, family and neighbors to place a nativity in their front yard.

Instead of fighting over one Baby Jesus and family, there would be THOUSANDS of Baby Jesus-es across the city.

I have no problem with the fact that people don't want to be FORCED to recognize the divinity of Christ. They don't want to be FORCED to worship a God they don't believe in.

But even from a secular, purely historical standpoint, what's so bad about the story of a man who came, was born in a stable, encouraged people to love each other, and do good, and treat people with the respect that we wish we were treated with?

Can't we recognize Christmas as a holiday honoring a really good teacher and man?

I personally believe Jesus is more than that!
But why invent all the crazy mythology about flying reindeer and elves and singing snowmen?

Isn't just the story of Jesus worth celebrating, whether you believe it is true or not?

Simplify Your Real Tree

I'm all about simplicity, so when someone gave me a pre-lit tree, I say "woo hoo" no more messing around with lights (until a bulb blows, and I wonder if it really is more simple.)

If you are a hardcore "real" tree person, check out this Hidden Self Watering Christmas Tree System at Lifehacker.com

The Simple Things - A True Holiday

I am convinced that it's not the rich and lavish gifts, the music, the parties, the cleaning of the house for the in-laws that make a holiday what it is.

The word Holiday comes from the concept of a "holy" day....

Holy means: sacred or set apart.


So when you get that mega-mart flyer in the mail, and you are feeling stressed about your christmas budget and your crazy party schedule, stop. Take a breath. And Ask yourself:

1. What is it that makes this season sacred to me?
2. What is it that sets this time of the year apart from the rest?
3. How can I enjoy the sacred moments?
4. What memories of the "holiness" of Christmas do I have in my head, and how can I recapture them?
5. Is this thing that has me stressed REALLY that important?

It's the simple things that are the most important.

Making Christmas Meaningful

Make Christmas Meaningful: Thoughts on Turning Your Holiday Focus Outward
What if Christmas was more than presents, trees, and Santa?
View more »

A Long December

The Simple Dollar Blog posted this GREAT article called "A Long December"

Right now, many of us are looking forward to December - and to the holiday season - with some joy and some trepidation.

Can we afford to travel this year?

Can we afford to put a lot of Christmas presents under the tree - or should we?

Shouldn’t we scale back this year - big time?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. I’m asking myself these same questions, as are millions of others out there

Read more at the Simple Dollar blog

Beating the "Blue Christmas" Syndrome

Don't let the Christmas Blues get you down.

Here's seven ways to keep your holiday simple, and make those blues "red and green"

1. Make a list, check it twice - Instead of the mad dash to the mega-mart, throwing items in your cart left and right, make up a shopping list, and do your best to stick to it. In fact, why not get your WHOLE holiday organized with Flylady? Download and print off her Holiday Control Journal here. Zoe does this every year. You wouldn't believe how much simpler it makes the holidays!

2. Remember the reason for the season - Why do we celebrate Christmas? Birthdays were not even celebrated at the time Jesus was born! Why did this holiday originate? The reason Christmas resonates with us is that it's about giving, and sacrificial love - (God loved the world so much, He gave His only Son...) Remember that Christmas is not about fancy presents and credit card bills. It's about giving love...

3. Count your blessings - The holidays are a natural time to reflect and be grateful. Make a list of all of the things you have to be thankful for.

4. Relax - Don't stress. Sit on the bench at the megamart, take a break, make funny faces at the little kids when they walk by. Enjoy some time in the dark with your sweetie with only the Christmas tree lights.

5. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid! - Have a family meeting. Work with the whole family to set a reasonable family budget for Christmas. Make sure that budget fits your budget! Don't go into debt going crazy at Christmas. Instead, determine how much (or little) you are willing to spend on your family, and decide to stick with it. Don't spend 600 dollars on plastic toys that will break and end up at the bottom of the closet before next year. Buy timeless, meaningful gifts that your family will enjoy.

6. Grieve - Sometimes the holidays are hard for those who are missing loved ones. It's okay to cry, to hurt, and to grieve during the holidays. Don't feel bad about it. Find someone to talk to about it - a counselor, a pastor, a friend, a spouse. Write down some of your favorite holiday memories of your lost loved one. Don't feel bad about feeling bad. It's normal, and expressing those feelings will help you through the process.

7. Give Back - Find a local charity that you want to support, like your local Salvation Army. Volunteer to serve as a family at the local soup kitchen. Buy a goat for a family in Africa. ( Find out more at Samaritan's Purse. )