Dec. 21, 2005 - Your Presence vs. Your Presents?

The holidays bring a challenge that pull us to get caught up in chasing  materialism. Ads abound to  help you find that perfect gift. There are lots of ways to spend that money that many have been so successful in creating this year or to take money you haven't even made yet. (Please do not run up credit card bills as a present to yourself)

It's my experience, however, that your loved ones want your presence more than their presents.

To that end, I have a question for you:
How can you create memories this year?
Think about what you got and gave last Christmas or the year before. Do you even remember?

In our busyness...it if often easier to throw money at the holidays rather than thinking of how to give something that will be remembered and cherished...

One year, I took the family on a 5 day trip including the train to get there from Tucson to Mazatlan in Mexico. The adventure of the train (the kids were 11 & 13) and the days together on the beach produced memories we still talk about.

A friend who took up this challenge rented a limo on Christmas Eve to take her grandchildren through our spectacular neighborhood of lights called Winterhaven and then for a picnic in the desert.

I attended a funeral this year for the mother of one of my husband's high school friends. Mother of 5 and grandmother of 30+, she was remembered for the presents she made each Christmas. One grandchild said she did not realize they were poor when she got a handmade doll when everyone else was getting Cabbage Patch Dolls, but the fact her Grandmother made it was more treasured than the pricey store bought doll. And her Grandmother had made one for dozens of granddaughters!

As my father and uncle grew older, we gave the gift of the "Thursday Lunch Club" whereby one member of the family would host lunch each week so they could see one of us and each other. I know that gift was more precious than another shirt or jacket.

Take the stuff back to the store and ask yourself....What memories can you create???

Now, you may not be a seamstress, or artist, but I bet you could think of a way to give of yourself.

My shopping didn't take me to the mall this year....only a trip to the airport to cash in some frequent flier miles and vouchers from overbooked flights (the legacies to my many days away on the road). I am giving the family a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii next month! And now, I'm off to make a Snow White outfit for Lily's American Girl's Bitty Baby that will match the Snow White Dress I made her for Halloween (photos to follow!)......Have joy filled holidays!