All I Want for Christmas

Each year I promise myself I won't do it.

I won't buy stuff just to buy it.

I won't pick up junky toys that I know will end up thrown away or given away in six months.

I resist noisemakers and fight causers.

I won't give out of obligation but out of genuine sentiment.

I won't stuff stockings just to stuff them.

I won't pursue stuff just to pursue stuff.

As I wrapped presents and took stock of what I had done and what I still needed to do, Eli walked into the kitchen, showed me his new "jet pack" his brother made him and sat down with a book.

What fine timing you have, little man.

To quote our friend the Grinch (or the French, whichever):

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. 

And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. 

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" 

Hmmm. It's tempting. But I think my kids might notice if all of their Christmas gifts came out of the recycling bin.

Ah well, back to the pursuit of sanity and balance.