"When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling 'I've been on line since yesterday morning,'" she said. "They kept shopping.'' I shake my head in utter amazement that people can be so absolutely selfish like that.

I'm not saying that I am perfect, I still probably buy too much for my kids, but in the last couple of years Joel and I have really come to the realization that buying lots of things for the kids at Christmas is not only a huge waste of money (when they're bored within days of receiving the toys), but it doesn't do a thing to help them at all. I think it's good when kids don't get everything they want. When they have to 'work' towards purchasing something that they think is really important for them to own. Even though it seems backwards, sometimes 'not giving them absolutely everything' is showing more love to them then giving them everything they ever ask for. It teaches them delayed gratification, it teaches them that there are more important things in life than having the latest & greatest toys.

2 Years ago we started a new tradition for Christmas where we started to buy the kids basically 3-4 items each. They each get something useful, one toy, something to wear and a new movie. It's still a lot of things, but I don't think it's overly excessive. I also used to spend lots of money at Dollarama buying them little trinkets & toys for their stocking but I've stopped doing that too. They'll get a new toothbrush (which is incredibly exciting to my kids :), maybe some cool new undies or socks or something.

Last year we also decided to give money to the kids that they would together decide how they would spend on gifts for children in Asia through the "Gospel for Asia" organization. It's great, we got a little catalogue in the mail and "Santa" left this money for the kids to buy whatever they wanted for kids who have nothing. I think last year they bought some bunnies, chickens and a few Bibles. They had a great time shopping and it was great to know that we could bless others by doing that. I would encourage you all to get involved in a program like that (there are several through many different organizations...also Operation Christmas Child is great!), where kids actually are encouraged to think of blessing others during the holidays instead of just thinking of all the things they want for themselves.

We certainly have not 'arrived'. We still struggle with the whole consumerism thing in our home, especially with one of our children (who will go unnamed :) who has difficult grasping the whole concept, but I pray that in time it will sink in, but I know that it's something we may all struggle with for a long time (or always while we're on this earth?).

On Sunday at our house we watched an awesome clip on YouTube called the Advent Conspiracy. It is absolutely amazing! I would encourage everyone to watch it. It has really inspired me and challenged me as well in these few weeks leading up to Christmas to really keep my priorities in check. Basically they challenge us to think about "what if Christmas became a world-changing event again by turning our focus back to the birth of Christ" Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!

Mel