Christmas Sucks..you in

I don't know how it happens- but it happens every year. I haven't been able to buy Christmas presents for anyone in my extended family for years, well, since we've been married really. Mostly because we've always been in school. It was hard at first not being able to buy things for people but after awhile it became a great relief. I found I enjoyed Christmas better. I didn't have to worry over money or what I was going to buy everyone and most of all I didn't have to battle through the crowds and stress of shopping. I enjoyed detaching myself from the commercialism of Christmas. But I've found that Christmas gifts have a tendency to creep up on you and snowball. You see something for someone imparticular and think, "Oh! She would really love that" --Or someone asks you to go in on a gift- easy enough, the work is already done, right? WRONG! When you buy one gift the siren in your head goes off and you think, "Well, I can't get something for her and not something for him- but then that leaves out..." And before you know it your in knee deep and your buying presents for everyone under the sun! Don't get me wrong I love to give! I even love to buy--I think the thing that bugs me the most is that I can't give to everyone and I'd like to. And even more, the things I really like to give are usually things I make or put alot of time, thought and effort into- which I don't have alot of. I wish I could find a better way to better show my love than through things. I often wonder if my message of love and care is really portrayed through my gifts. So, in short- If you don't get anything from me this year. It's not because I don't love you. I do. Very much. If I was a poet I would write you a lyric that would express my every appreciation for you. But I'm not a poet, so you'll just have to take my word for it! Instead I will leave you with a christmas poem (I've been reading a lot of Shel Silverstien lately:

Christmas Dog
By, Shel Silverstien

Tonight's my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleepin' all cozy upstairs,
While I'm gaurdin' the stockin's and tree.

What's that now- footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who's this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard-
A big sack for robbin' the house?

I'm barkin', I'm growlin', I'm bitin' his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I've frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again,
The stockin's are safe as can be.
Won't the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I've gaurded the tree.