Pre-Christmas shopping — not…
We had to go out and run errands today. I needed to get to Michael’s because I had a coupon for 20% off entire purchase but the sale ended at noon. I bought yarn for a sweater, some felted boots (I’ve had the pattern for a while), and for 3 pairs of socks. Now that the Christmas yarn is here I need to really buckle down to the knit part of my plan.
I don’t usually buy many gifts for Christmas. Throughout the year, if I see some small thing I think will be nice for one of the people on our list, I pick it up. I guess I should say that over the years we’ve cut down on our Christmas list. We now buy for my mother, my husband’s mother, and my son. That’s it. No nephews, nieces, cousins, brothers/sisters – in-laws, aunts, uncles, or second-cousins-twice-removed and reattached. They all get Christmas cards and a Christmas letter.
I feel Christmas is out of control. People spend more than they can afford in an effort to express something: love, friendship, control(?), obligation. When I hear from my family, extended family, and friends. I’m happy to know they’re fine and doing okay or to commiserate on bad luck, illness, or whatever. It’s family that’s important on the holidays not how much you spend. Love can’t be measured in money only in time and caring — and that’s better expressed in deeds than gifts.
So, I’ll knit love into my gifts with every stitch — thinking of the pleasure I get in making something with my hands that they will enjoy wearing and using. It’s my way of extending my love to their daily life even when I can’t be there.