As I sit here right now on Christmas afternoon in my PJs I’m thankful for our typical low-key way of celebrating. I’ve long been one to NOT enjoy the hustle and bustle and commercialism of Christmas and have been doing the low key thing long before it was chic. Ever since our kids were babies, we’ve declared Christmas day to be Family Day and have politely said “No, Thank You” to all invitations on Christmas Day.  We celebrate with Al’s family on Christmas Eve and mine on another day that we can all get together.

Nothing was worse than making the rounds on Christmas Eve with toddlers who were up too late and cranky then pulling them away from their presents on Christmas morning to get all dressed up and go to Christmas dinner the following day.  Fancy clothes, too much food, too many commitments and dragging  kids around who were in need of a nap  really put a damper on the holiday. So, I <gasp!> informed everyone that we were bowing out of the dinner quite a few years ago and it’s one of the best things we could have done as a family.  It’s ironic how many members of the family are jealous of our day, spending it any way we want… in PJs, drinking coffee, taking naps, reading, watching TV, whatever!  Funny thing is, they can do it too if they so choose. (Now don’t misunderstand.. it’s not like we don’t see family ALL the time.  We live within 5 minutes of one another and are in contact on almost a daily basis so it’s not like we’re passing up on rare opportunities to see one another.)

I’ve also been the one to put an end to the endless glut of present buying for the entire lot and would even like to pare it down more in the future. I can’t stand the shopping and desperation of buying something just because I have to. I would prefer to give to people that are in need, and not buy for the sake of buying and increasing all of our “stuff.”  Long gone are the days when we were kids and we would have to wait for Christmas and Birthdays to get clothes and things that we needed. Al and I haven’t exchanged in years, instead taking family vacations that we enjoy. At this point in our lives, if we want something throughout the year, we buy it so there’ s no sense buying more  “stuff” for Christmas “just because” it’s Christmas.

Personally, the barest bones Christmases have been my favorite.  My shopping was limited to a couple of trips this year, we slept in this morning, had a nice lunch together and everyone is relaxing. I’ve got the candles and tree lit and some Christmas music on. My dogs are all napping and there’s not tons of things that I need to find space for. Here’s to PJ Christmases and hoping that the essence of the day is in your heart, not under the tree!