I do not like (you could say hate, but some people think hate is a bad word, so I won't say hate here, even though I feel like I hate) obligatory gift giving.

I'm going to interject a warning - I am fleshing out stuff as I type....bleeding on my keyboard if you will.  So here goes...fleshing out the issue of obligatory gift giving.

Have you ever had to find a gift for someone just because they are on your list? My guess is most of the time we're shopping at Christmas and not enjoying it, it's because we're trying to find something for someone, who we don't really know very well.  Oh thank goodness for the Visa Gift Card! But no, that's not good enough we think, that's almost like just giving them money.  But then we tell ourselves, I would want money...I like receiving money...Oh sure it doesn't have the sentiment behind it like other gifts.....

One year in lieu of spending time and money shopping, I made bread for all of those people on my obligatory gift list, plus every person at our church.  Yes, I made about 200 loaves of bread that year...freshly ground wheat of course. The kids and I delighted in passing out the loaves of bread to people at our church. One person even came back and asked if she could have two so she could freeze one later. (still laughs at that one) Another year, I made fruitcake...what was I thinking????  I used to make a lot of gifts with my hands. Growing up my dad always told us that he prefered gifts made with our hands, than gifts purchased.

I was recounting the other day to a friend of mine how my parents would give us money to buy presents for our relatives (read obligations). We would take our money to Ben Franklin, and purchase items we knew they would love at the cost of about 3.00 each.  I found a great deal on onion choppers one year, so everyone got an onion chopper.

As much as I would love to be able to give my children money to buy presents for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, I just cannot do it. So my kids are left without the memory of obligatory gift giving. Ah...but are they really?  You know..even those people close to us can feel like obligations this time of year. When money is tight, and we barely have enough for our own needs, it's sometimes difficult to be able to give to those we love. That makes me sad, because I do love to give. 

If I could, I would buy my mom a new home to live in so she wouldn't have to live in her little single wide that the wind whips through on those cold Missouri days. I was blessed to be able to help her fill her propane take a month ago (Merry Christmas Mom!)...unfortunately her furnace went out the following week.  Oh my heart aches to help her.

Then there is my sister...on the obligation list...but the I love you so much I could buy you things all year long list. I seem to find things for her every time I go shopping...except in December...I can't find anything. Grrr.  I'm thinking of just waiting for her to come visit, wrap myself in a bow, and spend the afternoon with her....Merry Christmas Sis!

Now, I know I'm on lists of those who see me as one who is the recipient of the Obligatory Gift. I'm thinking...if you read this...you can just give me money...I won't be offended...Really...I won't. :-)

End of fleshing...I hope you at least enjoyed this a wee bit....

I can't leave without saying something profound...it just isn't me.... 

.....Begin soft music ..... cup of hot cocoa.....  build a roaring fire.....  get a great magazine or book......Take a moment.....and spend time soaking in the presence of God.....