Thanksgiving is OVER.

Well, here we are. Thanksgiving is over and we of are now upon the OTHER or rather BIGGEST Holiday of the year, Christmas! As we approach the Christmas season I become more and more nervous about what I'm going to buy people, what ideas am I going to come up with, is Gizmo going to need surgery on his leg, am I going to be broke? etc. and I keep trying to search in my heart for the real meaning of Christmas and the things which are really important. However, it seems even if you, as an individual, try to keep those ideals close to heart and remember the importance (that's great) but it's almost impossible to get everyone else on the same page and Christmas has become less about family and more about giving/getting and spending. As you can see, look at what Thanksgiving has turned into -- nothing but an important focus on "Black Friday" shopping which is making people act OUTRAGEOUS! What does this say about our society as a whole? or our cultures individually and ubiquitously? I'm curious to know.

As I find myself browsing the latest holiday goodies, I can't help but get caught up on Pinterest (my addiction of the last 5 months) and and the DIY gifts and crafts and think "why can't me making something be enough?" BUT here's the question - is it myself that I am judging to harshly? Would these people whom I love accept and love a hand-made gift just fine and perhaps I'M the one ASSUMING it won't be enough? OR have they really made me feel like that? I think if you look hard enough, you'll realize that a lot (at least I have) is the notion that I will "let them down" because I didn't get them the next hottest item or spend 2,000$ on them, etc. When in reality, I think people are generally grateful for whatever, whether disappointed in what they got (or didn't get rather) - they are generally reflectively grateful. I think a gift that is handmade really DOES say a lot more as trite and old fashioned as this sounds! I would MUCH rather receive a simple card from my boyfriend who wrote a page long letter in it to me from the HEART than an iPad or a new Pandora charm. Those are things we don't often get to say or hear, but yet are being set with monetary value instead. Are we buying what we cannot say? Or are we buying things on order to break the ice and say what we SHOULD be saying all year long? The "I love you's, Thank You's, You're beautiful the way you are's.." -- What are we REALLY spending all this money on? Satisfaction? Gloat? Pleasure? Because we can? The last time I checked that feeling you got in your belly when your significant other kisses you and looks you in the eye, or the way your children make you feel when they only call your name because you are needed* are things that cannot be purchased and are more than enough every other day of the year to fill our hearts and souls.

Why aren't they enough now?

I urge you to think about what you are spending, why you are spending, and if it's really necessary to do so. So many times you see credit cards go through the roof, debt, bills, layaway, and for what?

If you really look around, I think you'll see that the people you love are already pretty happy with who you are right now.

Do yourself a favor, make something - craft something - inspire yourself & inspire others! I'm going to make a promise to myself to Pinterest, to tumblr, and to check out all sorts of DIY's and see what I can possibly create from the heart - rather than deep into my wallet.

Good luck, all :)
-Sarah