Comments on: Excess

By: Rudri Patel

Rudri Patel — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 04:10:33 +0000

I cleaned out my closet this past weekend and I wondered why I had so many clothes that I don’t wear. You are right it is excess and with my young daughter I want to set an example that people, not things are more important. I try to practice moderation and try not to give in to all of her “I want demands.”

By: Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop.

Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop. — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:36:37 +0000

I am right there with you — struggling about teaching my kids the real meaning of Christmas while I elbow my way through Toys ‘R Us to obtain the must-have items on their lists! Lots of mixed signals there.

I’ve come to grips with the fact that consumerism cannot be avoided all together. Moderation is key. That and spending a lot of time talking about the true meaning of the season. The gifts are fun, but I need them to understand how blessed we are!!

By: Christina

Christina — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:54:38 +0000

Missy, I feel your pain. Thankfully, our budget does not allow for crazy spending, regardless if they want it or not.
It does become exhausting though trying to explain why they can’t have this or that.
Keeping it in perspective for them is one of our most important jobs as parents. Good luck to us all.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:27:02 +0000

I think it’s ok! You didn’t come home with 3 pairs of boots, or a pair of boots along with other things. Picking out something for yourself is ok in my book.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 08:00:06 +0000

Now I’m feeling all guilty, cuz I came home from xmas shopping with a pink wool trench coat.

In my defense, it is to die for and I look like an angel in it.

How are you?????

By: Theta Mom

Theta Mom — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:43:52 +0000

This post TOTALLY reminds me of what I just spent doing the last 45 minutes with my son – trying to teach him about giving his “outgrown” toys to children in need – but as we are cleaning up the toys, what I think he REALLY walked away remembering is, “I’m cleaning up our family room to make room for the new toys that Santa will bring me.” <—-I think that's tough NOT to think that as a kid when that's exactly what happens!!!

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:38:40 +0000

I’m sensing balance. It’s ok to have. It’s ok to give and get – and get for yourself. It is a joy to find that perfect present. Santa, and reindeer, and stockings by the chimney are part of our Christmas – so long as we don’t miss THE part. And I don’t think you are.

Merry Christmas

By: Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:33:28 +0000

Oh, to shop for myself. Hubs cashed in some credit card rewards points to get me a $100 gift card so that I have no choice. Jokes on him, because the Gap has wicked cute kids’ clothes.

Last year I was overwhelmed by how many presents my kids got, even though we tried to keep it light. We just kept finding things they HAD to have. Top that with everything they got from our families (despite my parents’ annual declaration that this will be a “lean Christmas” – they’ve said that every year since I was a kid and I have yet to see the “lean”), and we had a ton of toys that they couldn’t even make sense of at 21 months, much less play with. So this year I casually informed everyone that we needed to go a little easier on the presents, getting them things they would really enjoy instead of getting them things just to get them. Their eyes kind of glassed over, and I think they were offended! But nevertheless, hubs and I only got them a few things, and the baby as well, since she already has so many toys from previous years.

So….I think I just wrote my own blog post in your comments. I wouldn’t be able to write that in my own, since my fam reads it. 😉

And if I cleaned out my closet of everything I don’t wear, it would look as if I had moved out. I keep it all because I am convinced that someday I will have a job or reason to which I can wear something other than these cozy sweats.