Simplifying The Holidays: Nothing and Everything
Stephanie Precourt projects remarkable light, positivity, and gratitude; qualities -- along with her lovely writing style and beautiful photography -- that make her blog Adventures in Babywearing so wonderful to visit (even for those of us who are beyond babywearing). I first met Stephanie at the inaugural Disney mom bloggers mixer, during which time she was pregnant with her daughter Ivy; since then, it’s been a joy to be connected with this kind and thoughtful friend. For the fourteenth installment of my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, enjoy Stephanie’s reflections on the nothing and everything of the holidays.
From Stephanie:
I don't usually buy new books. But the boys had a special reading night at the local bookstore recently and a small, simple book caught my eye: The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell.
We had a voucher: for every purchase that night, a percentage would go to the school. I grabbed the book without even opening it up. I never do this. But I just had a feeling about this book.
I let the boys each pick out something at their reading level and paid. When we got home I pulled out The Gift of Nothing and set it on the end table. At that point, it matched the Christmas decor.
Then it was the book chosen for bedtime. The simple photos tell a simple story: of what do you give to someone that has everything? Nothing? There is so much stuff. It's hard to find "nothing." But if you can be still, you will find it. And nothing, can be everything to someone.
Every year we seem to scale back our Christmas more than the last. And our Christmases aren't much, if you’re measuring by number of presents under the tree. But that's not what we think counts.
It's not just for financial reasons; it's partly because when you think about it, we really have everything we need and want. Of course there is always the latest this or that. But, the excitement of those new things grows dim so soon. My mother's heart can't take the highs and lows of so many I have to have this! toys that now await new batteries deep within a toy box, in pieces under the bed, or left to weather in the backyard. Here is how our family celebrates:
I know it's certainly not much. And it's definitely not "nothing."
But it means everything.
Note: I'd like to thank @summerm for telling me about the secret compartment books; such a perfect suggestion for my boys ages 4, 7, & 8. If you are up to the task, I found an awesome DIY video on how to make a secret compartment book. I thought about giving it a try, but it would be too difficult to do without the boys finding out. We also have a very small, simple house.
Stephanie Precourt has been married to her husband Jeff for 10 years & is the mom of three boys (Noah, Carter, Grayson) and a home-birthed girl (Ivy). She works from home as the voice of Adventures in Babywearing, as well as SheKnows.com's Real Moms Guide. She also freelances for NWIparent Magazine and the NWIparent blog Close To Home, and is the Managing Editor for 5 Minutes For Parenting. You can follow Stephanie on Twitter at @babysteph.
Comments
Love this! We try to keep things scaled back too. It just seems so overwhelming every year.
And the secret compartment books are great. I had planned to make some but I haven't been able to find any good hardback books in the thrift shop.
Posted by: Summer | December 18, 2009 9:26 AM | Reply to this comment
LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE this. after the wek i've had, i'm embracing it whole-heartedly. (for next year - this year the work's already been done. but i still love it.)
Posted by: Sarah | December 18, 2009 8:43 PM | Reply to this comment
This is EXACTLY our Christmas!! I love Stephanie so, and am overjoyed to find a kindred spirit via "blogland":) For the holidays we usually have just a few meaningful gifts for the wee ones as well....and I try really really hard to never wait until the last minute to run out and get anything for anyone:P I want each present to be something thought-out and lovely---not purchased just for the sake of handing over a gift. I love Steph's choices for her children--we are making Pirate bundles this year...with handmade eye patches, maps, and "gold" to give our boys. I know they will have a blast Christmas morning with their wooden swords and supplies. Thanks for posting a great article from a Mom who always inspires me
Posted by: Sara Sophia | December 19, 2009 3:35 AM | Reply to this comment
This sounds so much like my family...we have been scaling back..we have been asking our family members to spend time with our family and not to purchase gifts...Each of our children will have stockings with trinkets and treasures and a few small gifts under the tree...We are also not going overboard giving gifts...we will GIVE...but we will give our home baked treats..homemade gifts, and we are taking the cousins for a horse and sleigh Ride ..it is the memories that count..not the broken lost forgotten toys, that loose their umph.. Great post...
Posted by: Melanie | December 19, 2009 8:23 AM | Reply to this comment
We too have been scaling back, I just posted about the coupon books we give our kids, with simple gifts in them but spread throughout the year!
Posted by: Amy @ Six Flower Mom | December 19, 2009 8:43 AM | Reply to this comment
I love this. Every year, I struggle with Shane over a scaled back Christmas vs. the go all out Christmas he grew up with. Every year, I get him to scale it back a bit more, thank goodness.
I'd just much rather spend time together or do experience type presents, like a trip to the museum like you mentioned.
Posted by: Erin | December 19, 2009 8:48 AM | Reply to this comment
Thank you for these wonderful comments. I am getting so excited for Christmas morning!
Steph
Posted by: Adventures In Babywearing | December 19, 2009 10:07 AM | Reply to this comment
It's all about family time and Jesus. I don't remember awesome gifts from my childhood Christmases. I remember the family time, the traditions.
Nell
Posted by: Casual Friday Every Day | December 19, 2009 12:48 PM | Reply to this comment
I love this! THIS is the Christmas I'm aspiring to. I want so desperately to simplify our Christmas celebration, to make it more about family, Jesus, and togetherness than about stuff, stuff, and more stuff. We're not there, yet...I know that the grandparents have gone all out again on the gift-buying. But this post was very inspiring, thank you!
Posted by: Semi-Crunchy Mama | December 20, 2009 7:11 AM | Reply to this comment
Great suggestions! I want to check out the Gift of Nothing. Reminds me of this late November piece in the Globe - about value destroyed in the economy through gift giving: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/11/29/better_to_give_nothing/ Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Stefan | December 23, 2009 6:42 AM | Reply to this comment