Previously posted on Activerain at http://www.GreatFloridaHomesBlog.com

While pumping gas I was checking email where I received an AH HAH Moment!

A dear friend sent me a holiday greeting. It was about her memories of growing up in Nebraska. Being Jewish her Mom made Star of David cookies and Snowmen to cover both faiths. She went onto discuss the memories of cooking and family and how much fun she had. Then she said, You know, I do not remember a single gift I got back then. I only remember the good memories that I shared with my sisters and Mom.

For me it was an "I could had a V-8", moment with a bop upside the head! It is so hard not get caught up in the commercialization of the holidays. This year I did what I could to put a stop to the madness and a shopping list a mile long. I figured if we do Secret Santa's at church and work, why can't we do them in our own family?

One gift for the person's name you drew and don't tell until it's opened. I had a twinge of guilt when I only put one gift under the tree, so I went back and proceeded to write out cards to everyone else telling them how much they meant to me. I feel better now!

Tonight when we stand around the kitchen enjoying our Chinese take-out (not sure where that tradition started) and laughing about the year of memories, I will be relieved that I started maybe another tradition to teach my children what is most important....the love we have for each other and not the gifts that they are unlikely to recall a year from now.

May we all be blessed with the success life has to offer in 2009!