Simple.

With the holiday season just around the corner, I have been thinking a lot lately about possible gifts for family members and close friends. I absolutely LOVE giving people gifts, or even just doing or making things for them that help them out or make them smile. It makes my soul happy :).

But, I have also been thinking about how much our culture values things. It seems like there is always some new gadget or toy out that everyone just has to have. It is always more, more, more...never enough. It is sickening really when you put into perspective how little most of the world has...

The main thing that put me on this train of thought was trying to decide what to get Gavin for Christmas. I thought about it on and off for about a week, and still I couldn't really come up with much. I just had it in my mind that we had to get him something BIG...and it annoyed me when I couldn't think of anything.

But, then I stopped, and realized that focusing so much of my energy and thought on this was ridiculous. In two short years of life, Gavin has accumulated more toys than any kids needs. And most of it is only played with once in a blue moon--if then! He is far more entertained when I give him things around the house to play with, or involve him in activites that I am doing. Why is it that we are programmed to always think that we need more junk, even when our home is overflowing with it? I would even go so far as to say that society makes parents feel guilty it they do not buy these things for their children. Like they are bad parents. Sickening.

So, this year my husband and I have decided to make embrace simplicity. I have searched around for things that we can make as gifts...things that Gavin & Lilia will value and get much more use out of that the latest, greatest piece of electronic crap. Things that they will love playing with, and that will also stimulate their little minds and imaginations. Things that will create memories. I have a couple of ideas already. I promise to post about them as we make them :).