Christmas Shopping---but the True Meaning of the Season!

This will be a very unusual Christmas for my husband and I this year. We have already packed up all our Christmas decorations in preparation for our move so we will not be decorating at all. No tree, no presents, no home-baked goods as my mixer and much of my baking supplies are also packed.  Even our favorite Christmas music CD's and movie DVD's are safely in boxes. My only decorations will be all the Christmas cards I receive from family and friends, a candle I will light for each week in advent, and perhaps a fresh pine wreath I'll place on our front door as well as ...

..... my beautiful scarlet pink Christmas cactus which is already blooming on my windowsill so beautifully!

I'm not even shopping for gifts at my local mall this year, as I am cyber shopping instead, and having my gifts sent directly to my family.  I have become quite addicted to the Zulily website, which my daughter introduced to me recently.  It has amazing daily deals for moms, babies, and kids - up to 90% off! You have to sign up to see what great products and brands are featured every day, and when you do you'll receive an e-mail with the new sales of the day. In full disclosure, if you sign up and shop at Zulily through this link I will receive a $20 credit when your order ships.  Warning: If you have children or grandchildren, you will be very tempted by the adorable and very affordable, clothes Zulily offers, as well as women's' accessories and household items. Today I stocked up on beautiful Laura Ashley closet storage accessories for my new home. I also like that many of the manufacturers Zulily profiles are "made in America" companies. They also ship internationally--check out their web site for further information.

I also applaud the "Made in America" campaign being run by ABC News!  As they say, if every American spent just $64 dollars on an American-made good this holiday season, the result would be 200,00 new jobs! If you click here you can see their interactive map with a coast to coast list of products being made in every state. I believe California leads, but New York also has a wonderful selection.  How does your state rank?   Why not chose a gift for a loved one from your home state this Christmas?

Of course, the true meaning of Christmas is not shopping, gifts, Christmas trees, decorations, or elaborately baked goods and desserts.  It is important to keep the real reason for the season in our hearts.

I saw this video on Betsy of the blog Joyful Reflections facebook page this morning and it made me cry, as it ended so beautifully with my favorite Christmas hymn. Direct link here.  I hope that you take a few minutes of your busy day to watch it and be uplifted by it.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this happened in every mall this season?

One more thing that touched my heart ... many of you may have seen this photo in the news the past few days.  In case you haven't you must hear this story as it is another perfect example of what Christmas is all about:

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these

brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~ Matthew 25:40

It was posted to the NYPD Facebook page with this caption:

"Jennifer Foster of Florence, AZ was visiting Times Square with her husband Nov. 14 when they saw a shoeless man asking for change. She writes, “Right when I was about to approach, one of your officers came up behind him. The officer said, ‘I have these size 12 boots for you, they are all-weather. Let’s put them on and take care of you.’ The officer squatted down on the ground and proceeded to put on socks and the new boots on this man. The officer expected NOTHING in return and did not know I was watching."

The officer is named Larry DePrimo--More can be read about him on this NY Times link.   I hope it will inspire all of us to do an act of kindness for someone in need.  What better way to prepare Christmas this year?