Searching For The True Meaning Of The Holiday Season by Rambling Raven
By Raven • Dec 1st, 2008 • Category: Rambling Raven •
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Searching For The True Meaning Of The Holiday Season by Rambling Raven
There’s been so much talk regarding the economy recently. So much so that it has taken some of the joy out of the holiday season. My heart goes out to those who have either lost a job or whose jobs may currently be in jeopardy. Everyday we are bombarded with news of yet another company releasing tens of thousands of employees. And those of us who feel somewhat secure about our jobs are still looking for ways to save money while still making sure our families have a festive and joyous holiday season. I for one am feeling a little agitated because I will be cutting my Christmas gift list in half. In some cases I will forego gift giving altogether. Co-workers, who I have always tried to give a little something to each year, will only get Christmas cards this time.
A crisis like the one we are currently in always seems to put things into perspective. I thought I was sophisticated enough to understand and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas, and not fall for the commercialization that comes hand in hand with the holidays. However, upon truthful reflection, I realized that I have been missing the “true” meaning of the season for a long time now. In recent years it has been my gifts that I have let speak for my love and appreciation of people. I have relied for much too long on being the Christmas day hero. To see the look on the faces of my loved ones once they open that one gift they had their heart set on is always priceless. For a little while it all makes the sacrificing and saving, and the mini-holiday debt I create, easier to deal with. But this year since I am not relying on the “wow” factor, I will have to reevaluate what’s important.
Growing up in a working class family has always had its ups and downs. I never got an over abundance of gifts, or what I always wanted. But some how I always ended up happy. Looking back, I realized that it never really were the gifts that made me happy but the atmosphere that my family created. Sure, I remember fondly; my first bike, my first pair of skates, and that brand new radio I had my heart set on. But the greatest memories have always been the time I shared with those I adored the most. I wouldn’t take a million bucks for the memories I have of my grandmother pulling up a chair to the kitchen sink for me to stand on, so she could show me how to pick the leaves off the greens she was preparing for Christmas dinner. I remember fondly the radio playing all the soulful holiday songs while listening to my mother and aunt sing along joyfully as they stuffed the turkey together. How I enjoyed watching my papa and uncles argue over which way was the best way to put the tinsel on the Christmas tree. Oh, I wouldn’t give anything for the memories I have of my daddy knee-deep in snow trying to put Christmas lights all around the front part of the house.
It was during this season that I got to help with wrapping all the younger family member’s gifts. How grown up I felt with being trusted not to spill the beans to them. And what fun it was to have them follow me around for days begging for hints. I honestly can’t remember what gifts I received myself but I can remember nearly every gift they all got. I can’t tell you what happened to that bike, the pair of skates or the radio I begged for. In the end none of those things were very important to me. I can however, cook every dish the women in my family ever taught me. I can recall all the fun family gossip I heard standing in that kitchen filled with three generations of women. You see it has taken me this long to realize that it never were the gifts that made me happy as a child. No matter how expensive. It was the stories, the sharing and the love that made me happy at Christmas. And it was the memories that were created. How precious the memories are to me now, especially since so many of those dear loved ones are no longer with us.
So I have decided that my legacy this year shouldn’t be about how grand my gifts are, or how many I can give. No, it should be about continuing the love and joy that was passed down to me. My nieces and nephews won’t remember the gifts, most kids stop playing with them just a few weeks after Christmas anyway. I think we often use material things to show our love for others. My nieces and nephews need memories of love that will sustain them for a life time. I will provide them with that by reclaiming my family tradition of giving of self as the gift to give during the Christmas season.
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Raven is an educator with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Education. She has been an avid reader since childhood. Her favorite genres are mystery, suspense, and horror, although she will give any genre a try. She is a life long resident of Chicago. Her love of books opened her mind to people, places and events far beyond her Chicago home. Reading helped to shape her world and her opinion of the events that took place within it. No matter what demands her career requires of her, she has always found time to read and write in a journal. Along with reading and journaling, she loves to watch the sunset, and discuss hot topics with family and friends. She loves baseball, horror movies, mysteries, listening to music from every corner of the world and expressing her view of the latest books with the women of APOOO.
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I have to say that I too would not change the memories we made as a family. I was the official gift wrapper, even for myself. My mother taped my boxes and I never looked inside. I loved the element of surprise. We built traditions. My husband grew up differently from me, so some of my ideas and traditions he does not get. My sister and I do try to pass onto our kids the things we did. I am not sure what my brother and his wife do. My baby sister will have her turn at passing on traditions next year as she becomes a new mom.
Some of our traditions:
Special Christmas pajamas for the kids( a gift opened the night before)
cooking and teaching our daughters(most of the same foods my mom made)
We love pretty boxes and paper…love to make it frilly no matter what is inside
As always — very thoughtful
While the economy this year has me rethinking – the whole gift giving thing — I am thinking that I will carry this forward in years to come.
Yes, all of my memories are not of the gifts I have been given (well – I do remember receiving my engagement ring on Christmas Day) I do remember the joy of being around love ones and all of the silly things that we do –
Though my family and I have never been into gift giving that much for Christmas, this Christmas we have truly realized how our values on appreciating each others company means more than material stuff that clutters our minds! All I want to do for Christmas is to be with my family and EAT a good meal. That is it! When my parents asked me what do you want for Christmas, I have always told them I want to see YOU!
Thank you for sharing xoxo
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