Wednesday, December 26, 2007

'Tis The Season

What serves children better? Fifty gifts that mean they have to eat sparingly for months until they are paid for, or one or two gifts they can cherish and enjoy without their parents going into debt? In this season of giving and receiving, it is easy to get caught up in the need for more. I have seen it so often - parents who feel they must show their children how much they love them by drowning them in gifts. My children received plenty of gifts this Christmas, but they have few enough they can actually play with all of them in a day. I like to live by the philosophy that less is more - when it comes to gifts. The quality is definitely more important than the quantity. If anyone doubts this axiom, consider this challenge: name five gifts from Christmas in the past. The ones that come to mind first are rarely the most expensive, but more likely those gifts that came from the heart. The blanket made by a grandmother's hand, the horse carved by a father... those mean so much more than the next video game system, Barbie, or toy bazooka.

I realize this post comes a tad late for Christmas, but it was on my mind as I looked around this year. I am thankful our Christmas will not be causing bills for months to come, but instead will give us lovely memories to cherish. Good tidings, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all.

-- Robert

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