midi~Lulay Lulay

I am the mother of two sons, who are six years apart in age. As the holidays approached each year, so did the "I wants". My youngest son became a walking commercial; and I looked forward to this season with much the same feeling as a dental visit! After a few years of this; it became clear to me that someting HAD to be done. My boys, much as I loved them, were missing the point. I began NEW traditions with them in mind. I hope the sharing of these ideas may help you, if you are tired of "I wants"

Their Christmas wish lists had to be in my hand by Oct. 15th. This eliminated new commercial stuff that started to appear around Halloween. Lists were NOT allowed revisions. Three gifts were to be starred. These were the things most wanted.

As the nativity was set up each year, the baby Jesus was placed by the youngest in the family (this continues even today with a granchild doing the honors). The story of Jesus would then be talked about; letting me know that my boys knew the TRUE reason for this holiday.

I began then to teach the value of the gifts we give. What they say about us as the giver; and how much we thought about the person we were giving the gift to. Thus began the "homemade" years. They learned to bake cookies and decorate them. They learned if they went halves on a gift; they could buy something more expensive. And, they learned the value of that special homemade gift. As each year, I gave them one gift made by me. They learned also that stringing popcorn and cranberries is fun; but hard work. And if you eat all the popcorn so you don't have to string it;(sigh) mom only makes more! What were the strings for; you ask. For God's critters, of course. The backyard trees were done for the birds with special treats for the squirrels. And every pricked finger was lovingly fussed over with kisses, both real and chocolate.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is; the gift of SELF is better than any in a box. That the gift of love IS the reason for the season. And that children do LEARN what you teach them!

Midi sequenced by Martha Decker