Happy Holidays

**Rhayne** · 12-08-2010, 10:59 AM

I got this in an email this morning from a magazine subscription that I get in the mail. It was just a mailing to wish me a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. I thought I'd share.

"It just doesn't feel like Christmas" anymore. The lament rings louder each year. For whatever reason - scattered or diminished families ... wish lists that have become shopping directives ... too much commercialism etc. - the magic moments we yearn for have melted with our hopes for a white Christmas.

People are giving and receiving more useless gifts than ever before. Last year, one couple gave a very chic, old-fashioned popcorn maker to friends who thanked them profusely and went right back to making microwave popcorn. Another couple gave a gift subscription to a far-out magazine so they could be sure the recipients didn't already get it. Did they want it? Would they read it? That wasn't the point. They were checked off the list.

One by one we select items for people that are unusual and expensive - things they'd oooh and ahhh over so we can make everyone happy. But do we?

More than likely, your best memories are the family trip to pick out a Christmas tree or learning to play the game of dreidel and winning a piece of chocolate. So slow down this holiday season. You may regret spending too much money or falling for a misleading ad, but you'll never regret creating memories with your family.

I hope everyone here on FV is having a wonderful holiday season and is (and will be) enjoying the season with family and friends. And I say lets make sure we remember these things as we go into the new year.

Happy Holidays (all the holidays) everyone!