December 13, 2006

Bah Humbug

I suspect this might be our most relaxing Christmas ever. We have no visitors scheduled and we are going no where. I looked at Jrex the other day and said, "Let's just skip Christmas this year. On Christmas Day you can give me a card and I'll make you a nice dinner." He nodded with a cute grin on his face.

Over the years we've had to work to figure out our 'love language'. I knew that mine was verbal affirmation, but Jrex resists all categorization with all that's in him. So it took us a while to figure out that his is acts of service. We both share a need for quality time, but for him, it's in the form of long, intense conversations. I like those, but also like a frequent dose of quality activities: 'Let's talk while we surf' kind of stuff.

In any case, we're both very happy to have a day where we give each other something that makes the other feel loved without much fuss or bother. Now if only we could figure out a way to not have to give anyone else a gift either. My Dad is coming to visit in January, and hopefully my sister and her family will come in February. I'd prefer fun things with them when they're here rather than books or clothes that none of us need on the 25th. Plus, now that we're squeezed into an apartment, we don't have room for any gifts!

Even if I can persuade my family of the merits of this idea (and I don't think it would be that hard), I still have to figure out what to get for the in-laws, which has always been much harder than things for my immediate family. Why can't we all just stop the insanity of the gift buying and just do kind things for each other. Wouldn't that be closer to the original meaning of the holiday anyway?

6 comments:

Snickollet said...

I am totally on board with your plan. And it's just the same in my family: we could easily convince my parents to skip the gifts, but GH's? No way. They are all about the showing of love via the giving of stuff. I think that's partially them and partially them being Korean.

In any case, GH and I are doing what you and JRex are doing, and I'm glad for that. Even the babies aren't getting gifts. At only six months old, why bother? Plus their grandparents will be giving them gifts galore.

Anonymous said...

AMEN! Can I have Christmas with you guys? :-D

Anonymous said...

Oops, I already got you a gift. But I promise it is small and can easily be exchanged for something you really want.

Anonymous said...

You go, girl!

Same problem: I bought your gifts in November.
But, that's OK.

All gifts to you and OTRsis are legacies to the grandchildren anyway..

otr granpa

OTRgirl said...

What is this? My family never plans ahead! We're the ones who scour our houses for a hostess gift right before we walk out the door! November? My father bought a gift in November?! There's something morally wrong with that.

I hope tickets on a whale watch boat will count for a Christmas gift...

Beloved said...

I actually convinced my siblings to do the no gift thing the first Christmas I was back from living in Korea. I'd had such a great reprieve from holiday madness during the years I was away and I foolishly thought it could continue. Turns out no one but me enjoyed a giftless Christmas so now I'm mad during the holidays again and I truly resent it. Capitallism can be so ugly.