What to get for Christmas

I’ve not really given much thought about Christmas presents this year. Not really got into the commercial hubbub. Yes the tree is up and the lights are over the Jack Vettriano picture in the dining room, but that’s about it. To be honest we’ve been too busy to think about it and lately too sick!!

But I am quite stumped at what to get everyone this Christmas. I want to give presents that will really make a impact and share some of the self development and learning that I have acquired especially over recent years, especially to my nieces and nephews. Delivering workshops in high schools has really shown me how much young people truly need to be given life skills before they leave school, teaching them how to develop their confidence, to understand how their words impact their actions and challenging them to uncover their goals and plan to achieve them is critical to their success.  That’s what I want to give this Christmas.

So I am on the hunt for books or tapes that are right for 10 – 14 year olds which motivate and elevate them to success.  Because life is just too short.

Where have they gone?

We are on the cupse of entering the last week of the summer holidays and where have they gone. I can never remember six weeks passing so fast. I feel like we are in week two or three but we are not!!! August is almost over and the 4th September, when the children return to school, is almost upon us. Where did it go?

There are so many things that I thought that we would have created or done or something over this time. Days spent at the outdoor pool, in the park and more, but it just didn’t really happen. We’ve done things and the children have been happy, but I’m just not sure what! We’ve not really had a summer as the weather has been terrible and whilst today is gorgeous it feel’s like it’s all come too late.

There has been no time to wish that the holidays would end, no time to wonder “What shall we do today?” It’s just gone like the wind (or maybe I should say with the wind!!)

So I suppose it’s time to start looking towards half term and maybe even Christmas!! Mercy!!

Christmas Madness

I said that this year we were going to have a great Christmas regardless of our circumstances. That we would really ensure that our kids got the presents that they wanted and we would have a whale of time. Now I know that there are still two days to go, but my, my being out in the shops, finding that elusive car parking space, pondering over which present to buy I had to stop look around and ask myself what the hell’s is going on here.

I’ve found myself remembering more and more people that I should really buy presents for; friends, their children, their dog(LOL), the kids teachers, my god child, my husbands 7 god children, my 5 sisters, nieces and nephews, mum, my mum in law, father in law and there are more! When you’re on a budget how on earth do you do all of this? The madness goes on.

We haven’t even started on the food and drink, there’s dinner with my immediate family, my extended family, the in laws, then their are friends, the parties I’ve been invited to. We’ll I’m either cooking or contributing and when you’re visiting you can’t go without a bottle of something and some snacks. The shopping bill is enough for 3 months further more a few days. Where does it all go? Everyone supermarket is manic and you can’t find a fresh brussel sprout anywhere!!

Christmas has surely turned into madness, I spoke to some parents at my children’s junior school who sounded like they were in fear of their lives if they didn’t get exactly what their children had demanded for Christmas. What happened to “You get what you’re given?” They go to great expense to please their children who are truly ungrateful… OK maybe that wasn’t fair, but you get my drift.

Realising that I haven’t bought a present for my mum or my only god daughter, realising that there are still some items of food not sitting in my cupboard and fridge, with only a decorated tree and some lights strung over the side lights in the dinning room and still wondering if I’ve bought my oldest daughter enough, I’ve given up. Christmas is more than presents and stuffing your guts, it’s a time for reflection, family, friendship and gratefulness. It’s a time to remember why we celebrate the season in the first place, to remember a baby who came to give a dying world hope.

So this Christmas step out of the madness and experience love, peace and joy by being thankful, actually talking with and listening to your family and friends and looking forward to something better next year.

Merry Christmas