December is a major birthday month in our family, so we tend to focus more on gifts for those occasions than for Christmas. Because we have a large family, and getting together is the best possible of gifts, we take the sane and easy route by not exchanging gifts.
The grand-children all have an embarrassing number of grand-parents to dote on them, and I may seem like I'm making excuses, but the truth is that I have observed that children can be so overwhelmed by new stuff that they can become immune! So we focus on fun times together instead.
Not shopping has become one of the biggest blessings of the season for me. You might be shocked at how much pressure this one gesture relieves for busy and frugal young people as well. And not everyone has the time and talent for handmade gifts.
We are not into enforcing rules though. Personal and family presents show up at random. A big family encompasess a lot of personalities and varying traditions. And some of us might enjoy the gift giving process more than others of us. So we try to be graceful receivers as well.
A delightful blogging friend sent me the beautiful treasures you see pictured here some time back. A spontaneous gesture of appreciation like this has to be one of the most heartwarming and lovely presents one can ever receive!
So it's birthday cards and gifts I'm getting ready today. I've never heard of anyone with a December birthday say they are that glad about it. How about you?
A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish is going out to Kay, Bella, Russell, Emma, Rebecca, Lydia, Maia, Summer, and you too! if your birthday falls in December! I hope you all have a wonderful celebration this year!
Jacqueline
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26 comments:
Hi J,
Thanks for the sweet wishes, you made me laugh out loud! It was kinda a Romper Room moment, you know when they looked into the mirror and said "I see ____ & ____" calling out kids names? My uncommon name was never said, but I always thought it would be, haha!
I agree December birthdays are awkward at best :-) We are not gifters either. I enjoy time, or silly moments, much more.
Love your pretty pinks, paper flowers, are always sweet, huh? Beautiful packaging on your gift too..
Happy Weekend & A Big Hug:-)
Bella
Beautiful photos and post. I've changed your blog to the new one on my blogroll and they are both coming up now but at least I'm not missing anything. ;) I have a nephew born on Christmas Day who really suffered when a child. They sometimes celebrated in July with a party. I have a niece born in December and now our son-in-law too. Enjoy the weekend!
Oh, what a wonderful gift you got! I can imagine how great it would be if giving Christmas gifts were not given...It would be an amazing relief! What a wonderful opportunity to just concentrate on the reason for the season!
Carol
No December birthdays here, most of ours occur during the summer months. I don't exchange gifts with my extended family but definately with my children and grandchildren, it gives me enormous pleasure.
My poor brother was born on Christmas morning 42 years ago. His birthday gets totally ignored. When he was little we had a half year birthday party for him on June 25.
What are those pink roses? Are they paper? I want some!
Enjoy the holidays! (and the birthdays)
Such a lovely post and beautiful pics. Love the idea of the doily on top of the present. xx
Absolutely lovely pictures. I have a daughter with a birthday Dec. 4 she doesn't mind it being in Dec. When she was home the only thing she asked was that no Christmas decorations go up till after her birthday. Love your blog and like your idea about gifts. Hugs...Lu
Oh my! Jacqueline! Have been away from blogland for several days--and find lots of changes! Same beautiful blog, though. And I have always meant to say but forget---I like how you say on the sidebar where you are. Most blogs don't and they mention things, some even have shops, and ya' just wonder where they are! Oh and love that pic of your place at the bottom with all the twinkly lights! It's gorgeous! Cute pink pics, and thanks for the birthday greetings! Yes, I have a December birthday and don't like it one bit! And my poor brother's birthday is Christmas day! I have many other family and friend December birthdays too. Makes for a busy month. I'll be calling soon! Love, Kay
In my family we all have birthdays in spring or summer, but still we don't much exchange gifts for the winter holidays, although my mother likes to go thrifting in her area, and she will send us a box of treasures that she's collected for us all year! I think your tradition of celebrating the birthdays is lovely, as are those beautiful white gloves and delicate doily and the pink roses. Roses in the snow--that Emmy Lou Harris song! Another beautiful post--thank you so much for sharing it all with us, Jacqueline,and have a great weekend!
beautiful post, jacqueline:) my son's bday is the 9th and we have others this month, too. makes for a lot of family time, which i love:) not shopping for xmas --priceless!
No December birthdays around here just two in November close enough I guess. Beautiful gifts!
xx
Anne
We've already had a birthday dinner for three family members, and my sweet daddy was born ON December 25. His mother named him Carol ~ what was she thinking?? He had his first birthday party when he was 70 years old.
Thanks for still posting at your old address, I forgot to add the new one to my sidebar.
Merry Birthdays!
Beautiful photos, Jacqueline!
I love each and every one of these!
I think your right I never heard on anyone glad to have a December birthday :)
Happy Pink Saturday!! ~Lorraine ♥♥♥
Jacqueline, I love your focus on getting together as a family instead of lots of gifts. Last year we exchanged names in our family (mainly because my husband was out of work, not my kids!), but I think everyone loved not having the pressure of shopping. We're doing it again this year!
Mary Alice
Love your blog, Jacqueline. I enjoyed seeing your beautiful image presentation. So Gorgeous. I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well on my blog at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
Hugs, Gayle.
Jacqueline,
Love the soft pink hues and the feminie touches in this post. Being December born wasn't as joyful for me in my childhood as it is now! I do love SNOW. . .and it is my first and ever most wish for my Birthday!!! However, being with my family. . .their presence. . .is measured far above any present wrapped in paper!!!
Fondly,
Pat
such a sweet post.
lovely pinks..
blessings
barb
In my family we stopped exchanging Christmas gifts years ago and what an absolute relief it has been. It is more important to us that we keep in mind the reason for the season. I still enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards, decorating the house and everything else associated with Christmas.
Always, always there for you Jacqueline! Have a great week!
Sherry
I'm with you...we "gift" the littles, but it is a brown paper bag full of "whatz its" that we have picked up all year long.
The REASON for the Season is the most important..and after that the family congregating. I am a music minister, so I stay pretty busy at this time of year, and after that it is the decorating...oh my.... I always say I'm cutting back, but I just can't seem to do it!:^)
And yes, December birthdays are crazy...Dear hubby today, and mine is the 31st...barely squeaked into that year.
Blessings to you,
J
Lovely post, Jacqueline! And so very sweet! Thanks for linking up to Blissful Whites Wednesday!
Hugs,
Becky
I'm so with you on this... i'm just now reading this post, after my post about Christmas and gifts. I much prefer to happen upon something that i know someone will love and surprising them with it, than being pressured the media to give gifts. I haven't stopped with my kids yet... it's so ingrained in me, but i'm working on it.
CIndy
Your pictures look so romantic, love it!!!!! My birthday (and many others in my family) is also in December ;)! Have a wonderful Christmas time,
Jade
Our son was born November 10th and some would say "gee it's so close to Christmas" should we get a gift for both? It seems as if the radar is close to Christmas people start looking at it differently. I have two cousins born in December and they were named Holly and Noel! I think your family has found a good way to deal with it! That was a lovely gift your blog friend sent!
Everything is soooo beautiful!1 I am now following your blog site. Thanks!
Thank you for this beautiful post! Our family isn't very big but we've decided not to exchange gifts - except for some small things for the children. We have eight grandchildren and each one is getting a book or a game and a hand-knit hat from this grandma. I've been busy making hats to 'fit' the personalities and tastes of the girls and the colors of the favorite state college sports team for the boys. It feels so good to give the gift of time together instead of spending money on toys the children don't need!
~Adrienne~
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