Okay Okay I know this is a thread for "grinches"
When I started living with my family at almost 9, christmas was magic for me. We rode horses up into the mountains about the middle of december to cut down a tree for christmas then we would drag it back behind the horse. That night (after chores and cows) we would put the tree up with decorations, bubble lights, and icecicles. We would decorate our house for the holliday. My mom would make chili and sometimes homemade rootbeer. Over the hollidays we made candy for the pink lady candy sale. Boxes of food for the widows. We made sugar cookies (which took all day) and frosted them. On christmas eve my mom and dad would go shopping, my dad would buy us each a gift just from him. He would put it in a brand new paper sack and put it under the tree. We would open all of our gifts on Christmas eve and hang up our socks. In the morning santa had come and left what we desired most unwrapped under the tree for us. Our sock always had an orange in the toe. We would spend the day playing in the snow. My dad would tie my sled behind the tractor and take me in circles (I wore a helmet of course).
I want my kids to feel what I felt. (the love) The celebration was part of that. I don't think you have to overspend, but there was a joy that I felt from my parents loving the holiday. Them going shopping on christmas eve they were laughing and excited to go. I can still see the smiles that they had. I want my kids to feel like christmas is a day for time out. (from worries, bills, errands, and other stuff. It is a day to just play and eat cookies and listen to music and for mom to learn how to play halo.) I love the whole season. (but i seldom worry about the perfect gift) I make cinnamon rolls, fudge, cookies, divinity, carmels, rocky road, and ham. (how can you help but feel joy with that much sugar.) I remember president Hinkley saying something about children (I can't remember where) hoping that they would have something sweet to open on christmas.
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