Christmas is really bumming me out this year. The materialism of it all is just plain getting to me. Spending so much time trying to find presents for people that I can actually afford (and even THAT is a stretch) and that they'll like (and I still don't know if they will or not) and appreciate (and maybe I'm just grouchy, but I seriously doubt if they will) just seems so... pointless. I'm feeling like I would rather just forego presents entirely and do everything through the World Vision gift catalogue instead. Honestly - I've spent so much time over the past few months getting RID of stuff, or planning on how to get rid of it, that it just seems so pointless to bring in MORE stuff.

I'm feeling like less is more these days. Like my kids are growing up too priviledged, despite our constant $ woes. When you have so many toys that you forget you even have some of them... I think that's just too much. We don't NEED 50,000 dvds and videos. We don't NEED three (working) televisions.

Need is being able to provide enough nutrition for you children that they don't starve, or have their hair falling out... need is making sure that you have heat in the winter... need is making sure that you aren't naked (unless that's something you're into, of course ;) )

I'm just so frustrated by all of it. I'd be happy to have a day at home, with my kids, with my husband, listening to Christmas carols and eating a decent meal.

And I am NOT a Scrooge!!!