Christmas Gifts | Filed under General
Time moves quickly as we approach that day, you know which one the one so many are ready for. Yes the Christmas season is upon us, and we all have a season of goodwill and thoughts of others to look forward to. I hope that you’re able to see all of the joy of this holiday season, accept it, and make it a part of yourself and share it with others. For sharing is what it is all about.
Lois Rand once said, ” The most vivid memories of Christmases past are usually not of gifts given or received, but of the spirit of love, the special warmth of Christmas worship, the cherished little habits of home.” The memories are what we carry forth so make some this year make certain you make some special new memories.
The most important gifts are not those that you can hold in your hand. These, in their purest form, are simply an outward representation of the gifts that are the most lasting: the gifts of time, attention, thought, caring, peace of mind, true friendship, acceptance, patience, tolerance, laughter, joy, freedom of expression, companionship, insight, understanding, compassion.
Sometimes what is really important in life becomes obscured by outer concerns. These have a tendency to make us feel poor and wanting when we are not and to pull our attention to focus on the attainment of symbols of a rich existence, which can ultimately leave us destitute if we lack perspective and balance.
Money and possessions are not in themselves important. Only what they represent has meaning. Note also that power, recognition, reputation, influence, control, and manipulation are not included on the list of lasting gifts. Our real life exists elsewhere, for if those inner gifts are ignored or lacking the rest are empty icons that can symbolize ultimately not abundance, but lack.
You are fortunate to be both rich and generous with gifts that have real value. The rest, in the end, is truly nothing. My wish for all of us this holiday season, is the ability to recognize, express, and appreciate the lasting gifts in our lives a Wonderful Holiday and be good to yourself. You deserve it!
“At Christmas, children play an essential part in our celebrations. So much of what we do is intended to please them–and all the while our hearts keep hearkening back to the Christmas memories of our own childhoods. Christmas is so much simpler for a child. Can we open our tired, adult eyes to that same simplicity? ” was once said by Ellen Sanna and is so true, can we? Come back and set a spell with Ms. Vickie the Southern Bell.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Merry Christmas.
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Vickie, YOU are a gift.
December 19th, 2005 at 3:58 pm
There are so many great things that stand out here, but cherished little habits of home warms my heart. You never cease to amaze me.
December 19th, 2005 at 4:23 pm
This post is filled with so many good thoughts !! Excellent post !! I really enjoyed it !! Hope you are feeling good !
*HUGS*
December 19th, 2005 at 4:30 pm
The Divine Ms.Vickie at her best. Lady you astound me with your wisdom and words. You also humble me as i’ve been feeling really sorry for myself this holiday season and not paying much attention to the things that count most.
Please know that you are appreciated, loved and cherished for all that you give with your words, your wisdom and your heart.
You give so much of yourself to those around you and I am hoping that you will also take a bit for yourself. Take into yourself the love that comes from your friends, the strength they gladly give to you on your weak days and the support offered on those days when it all feels like it’s falling down.
**warmest hugs Lady V **
December 19th, 2005 at 5:02 pm
Beautiful words and ideas, Vickie. I try to use that childhood simplicity when I see Christmas.
I love the lights, the smells (cinnamon, pine, bayberry, baked goods), the warmth of home and family, the feelings from good deeds, the snow, the giving, and remembering a very special man who was born thousands of years ago.
Love & hugs!
December 19th, 2005 at 5:56 pm
Absoulty. You can see thru a child s eyes. Your heart can feel like a childs. Of course Ms Vickie you don’t have that problem. Its all a matter of persecption
December 19th, 2005 at 7:37 pm
Looking at the world through kids’ eyes gives you such a refreshing perspective. The world is like a canvas. I still dream. And I still have my “dinky” moments, according to my teenage daughter.
Excellent post, Ms. Vickie. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend to all of us.
December 19th, 2005 at 8:50 pm
If anyone thinks it’s the money/status/wealth that matters, just remove them from all people. They’ll soon find those material things don’t mean quite so much when there’s no one around for them to ‘impress.’ We can’t take it with us when we go; the pharoahs already tried and we see how well that worked.
December 19th, 2005 at 9:13 pm
Hey girl I’ve moved. Just wanted to let you know. I’m back on the Blogger bandwagon.
Love you!
December 19th, 2005 at 9:50 pm
Hi Vickie, what a lovely and inspirational post.I love the quote, here is one you might like.
“Fond memory brings the light of other days around me.”
Thomas More
Hugs and love,
December 19th, 2005 at 11:41 pm
Hi Vickie, I really enjoyed your post, no surprise there, they are always good.
December 20th, 2005 at 12:23 am
Vickie: You are one of those rare people in life who make every day special to us! lol!!
December 20th, 2005 at 1:35 am
Oh Vickie you are indeed my Soul Lady… what a meaningful, beautiful post, full of Truth. It warmed my heart completely, as you yourself always do. I love what Tracey said in her comments about friends too. I hope you know, Miss V., just how many caring and supportive friends you have in this world.
Love and Peace,
December 20th, 2005 at 6:46 am
Very nice post.
This time of the years should be seen through innocent eyes.
December 20th, 2005 at 9:09 am
In my family, although this might come as a shock to some of you, we don’t give presents at all for Christmas. Most of the time, we actually make it a point to keep it very low profile. Sometimes we do not even stay at home, but go out. Then my mother, sister, brother and I go to Brussels to eat in a restaurant or watch a movie. The most important thing for us however is to spend it together, because it doesn’t happen all to often that we are together.
December 20th, 2005 at 10:46 am
Very inspirational indeed. It is so true that the best gifts are the ones that have a long-lasting importance…this year I am just simply delighted to spend Christmas here with my real friends…one the best gifts in my life that I can actually hold in my hands!
December 20th, 2005 at 12:52 pm
You give me what I need. Thanks.
December 20th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
I got everything I wanted this Christmas without anyone spending a dime…my children are all three together for the first time since 2002 for the holidays! It’s every mother’s dream…and I have a special prayer going for a special woman in your life, friend.
December 20th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
Everything is easier when you are a child. I try and see things through Michael’s eyes when I am having a hard time.
December 20th, 2005 at 5:38 pm
Yesterday, as I was dancing around the kitchen to the tunes on my little ’50’s jukebox, the laughter of my grandson filled me with total joy. Yes, my dear friend, the inner child in us needs to be apparent to others just as we need to see through their eyes.
What a beautiful post - hey, want me to dance for you?
December 21st, 2005 at 12:19 am
Wonderful post, Vickie. If only it was easy to open our eyes to the simplicity. Watching my little granddaughter, I wonder what she thinks of all the hoopla on this, her very first Christmas.
December 21st, 2005 at 2:49 am
I so agree with you. I have been reading about holiday stress and shopping needs and financial issues, probably exacerbated by over gifting. I think we ALL need to focus on these words MERRY Christmas, JOY to the world, PEACE on earth, GOODWILL towards men. We should be focusing on these feelings and not all the outward and superficial trappings of the holiday.
December 21st, 2005 at 2:52 am
Amen and beautifully said.
I’m soaking up every bit of Christmas cheer I come across and plan on having plenty left over by the time next year rolls around 
December 21st, 2005 at 5:29 am
If only I could be as eloquent in my praise as you are in your post.
You’re in my heart and in my thoughts.
Blessed be, sugah.
December 21st, 2005 at 12:01 pm
Oh I so agree with you on this post. I remember so few gifts, but the time we shared is still vivid.
December 21st, 2005 at 2:42 pm
Very beautiful, and very true, words. Thanks!
December 22nd, 2005 at 3:55 am
Just checking in on you. Hope today has been one of the better ones. Hugs to you, Ms. Vickie.
December 22nd, 2005 at 4:45 pm
Happy Holidays Ms Vicki !
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:31 am
I could not say it better than Karen - ditto.
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:10 pm
This was truly a beautiful post, Vickie!
May you have a very blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!!
December 23rd, 2005 at 3:34 pm
Excellent post. You aptly described the true meaning of Christmas. Well done.
December 24th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
Thinking of you on this Christmas Eve morning. God Bless.
December 24th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year
December 24th, 2005 at 2:11 pm
Have a very Merry Christmas!!!
December 24th, 2005 at 2:32 pm
Merry Christmas and best of wishes Vickie! Big hugs sweetie!
December 24th, 2005 at 7:02 pm
Thinking of you, Vickie !!
Merry Christmas !!
*HUGS*
December 24th, 2005 at 9:38 pm
Merry Christmas Vicki and yes you truly are a gift to us all
Hugsssssss
December 24th, 2005 at 11:10 pm
Merry Christmas Vickie, god bless you and yours. Big Christmas hugs,
December 25th, 2005 at 12:41 am
Merry Christmas Vickie!
December 25th, 2005 at 6:56 am
Hello beautiful lady~~~!!!! Merry Christmas!!!:):):)
December 25th, 2005 at 3:46 pm
Merry Christmas, Vickie, with love.
December 26th, 2005 at 12:12 am
Merry Christmas Vickie!
I don’t need any presents when I have you as a friend!
December 26th, 2005 at 12:14 am
But I did get a present, a new mini shoebox pool set, but I wont play with it this time so I wont scratch the green like I did to the other 5.
December 26th, 2005 at 12:44 am
Merry Christmas, Vickie! Remembering you with Love.
December 26th, 2005 at 5:35 am
Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
December 26th, 2005 at 4:24 pm
Hope your Christmas day was a good one for you. Now it is time for you to come back and post again.
December 27th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
Ms. Vickie, I’ve been missing you. Are you ok? ‘Cause I really want to “set a spell.” Not only that, I’m wondering what meat you serve with your greens and hoppin’ john! I’ve tried pork loin, pork chops, etc.