It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

and I'm finally starting to feel a little like Christmas, as well. I usually get a little stressed out around the holidays, but as of today, I'm just starting to feel a little spirited. I think one of the reasons I start feeling stressed out is the whole gift giving tradition. As you get older, it's just not as fun anymore. And I'm not a good gift giver! You know how some people just have a "gift giving talent"? I'm not one of those people. My immediate family is easy. My mom just e-mails me a list of what everybody wants, including what she wants. Not to mention, she always keeps it in my price range. Which is a whole other reason I get stressed out. Because I work for myself, and my income is highly dependent on my clientele, I never know what I'm going to make week to week. But I do know that it's usually not a lot. And... this is a big AND... right to the point, I'm just plain selfish. I go to the stores intending to buy gifts (for other people), and I come home with what I want for Christmas. This years case, so far, it's a pair of black Uggs, sweater boot style. Do I have the money to buy a pair of Uggs? No! Do they look absolutely fabulous with black leggings and a long shirt? As a matter of fact they do.

Okay, I'm getting totally off track, I just get a little excited when designer footwear is involved. What I'm getting at is that this year, I have decided that my friends do not need Christmas gifts. Neither do I for that matter. I am going to give gifts to children that actually NEED things. If you don't already know about it, there is a program through the Salvation Army called the Angel Tree. In Norman, they have trees set up around town, and you can go get a name off of a tree. It has the child's first name, their age, their size, and what they need/want for Christmas. After purchasing the gifts, you take them to the Salvation Army, and they deliver the gifts to the child, or to the family. When I worked at Olive Garden in college, we hosted an Angel Tree party, and it was awesome! We had about 20 kids, of all ages, that the employees bought gifts for. They got to eat a yummy meal and open presents, and they were so excited! The kids we had out that year were foster children that didn't have homes, so it was great to give them things they wouldn't have otherwise had for Christmas.

I highly encourage all of you to do something like this for the holiday season. I feel like every year we get a little more off track, and we seem to forget what the holiday season really means. I know I certainly don't NEED any more silly material items. And I can't think of a single person in my life who really does. Everyone I know is so fortunate and blessed to have a happy, comfortable life, so why not give to someone who's not so fortunate this year?!