With only a few days left until Christmas, many people are scurrying around finishing up last minute shopping. Then there are those whose shopping has not involved scurrying around at all. Many of those have had Amazon and other deliveries as a daily guest to their homes. I have been in both groups this season, having done my share of in-store shopping and online shopping. I have actually bought more online this year than ever before. Online shopping is not more enjoyable to a shopper like me, but it is certainly easier. Except when the items arrive at one’s home and are left in unsafe places, such as was one of our deliveries this year. Here is a photo of the package left on top of our mailbox!

Thanks to WalMart for this delivery!

Each year I vow to cut down on gift buying and yet fail to. The past few years I have planned to give experiences instead of things, and I have failed in that also. What can I say, I love shopping! I love to select special items for loved ones and am totally fine if what I select does not fit their size or their likes. Returns are fine with me. I would rather our loved ones keep only what they like and return the rest than buy gift cards. Now, I love to receive gift cards, but I do not usually purchase them except for teenagers who prefer them, or when I am totally out of ideas.

A few presents under the trees; bows to be added! 

I like to think that I am not materialistic, but I do have a need for beauty. As such, I have a difficult time not purchasing something that is beautiful and at a good price. Consequently, I have more things than I need, or even that I know I own. It is not uncommon for me to not “find” an item I could have used at the holidays until the holiday is over!

My wrapping station!

Even so, I am still wrapping presents and have a few more to purchase. I try to make sure that each person has a comparable amount in money spent and/or presents to open on Christmas morning. That is not easy with twelve of us! Even if each person has (only!) five presents to open, that is 60 presents! And the grandchildren have more than five presents each!

I know that Christmas is about the Christ child, not the presents. I realize that being together with loved ones is more important than the gifts given and received. Still, I see nothing wrong with gift giving. Gifts are a tangible expression of our love for others, and I give them joyfully.

While all of the above is true, I want to make some changes in 2019. That is why one of my Amazon packages this season had two new books that I plan to read once the hustle and bustle of the season have passed. I plan to not just read the books but make some changes in my life regarding possessions and focus. Interestingly enough, possession and focus are closely aligned.

My two new books are by Joshua Becker, whose writings I have followed for a couple of years. The books are titled The More of Less and The Minimalist Home.

I also plan to reread two of my own books, A Year in the Life of a Recovering Spendaholic and Changing Me From the Inside Out. I invite you to join me on this journey.  All four of these books are available on Amazon.

A good motto to live by.

May your holiday season be filled with more of the presence of the Christ child than presents.