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Hello, hello, my Cents of Humor Village! We are back from our two-week hiatus. I’m sure you missed me. Right?! I hope you’re having an enjoyable holiday season thus far. And I really hope your stress has been limited. Mine? Well, thanks for asking. My septic pipe snapped in half last week. Nothing brings the holiday spirit like an emergency call to the plumber. ‘Tis the season!

If you believe in Santa, then you know the big guy is coming tonight. This is my first Christmas with two kids, and I think I went a little overboard. I’m painfully aware I only get about a decade in the magical Santa years, so making the holidays feel special might’ve gotten the best of me.

I have to stop and constantly remind myself that, first, the girls don’t need anything. They have so much already, and buying a ton of crap from Target isn’t going to make them love me more or them any happier. My 8-month old prefers to play with measuring cups and spoons over any expensive toy. This week, we swung my toddler around in a laundry basket for an hour, and you would’ve thought we brought her to Disney World. Small kids like mine don’t need a room full of presents. They want your time. Your attention. Your snuggles. They want to “help” make cookies and to watch a claymation movie from the 1960s with you.

I was thinking about that feeling I used to get as a kid during the holiday season. I don’t remember many gifts, if I’m being honest. What I remember is playing Christmas music, dimming the lights, and lying on the floor staring at the pretty tree. I remember the annual gingerbread house-making competition with my cousins. I remember the afternoons spent playing in the snow. I remember the excitement of seeing the gifts that Santa left the night before. But do I actually remember the gifts themselves? Nope. I don’t. Maybe a cool toy here and there, but overall, I just remember the feeling.

I’m on a mission to give my girls that same feeling now, too. It’s not going to be from the matching embroidered Pottery Barn reading chairs I bought them. I think I really bought those chairs more for myself. The feeling comes from the excitement of reading Twas the Night Before Christmas at bedtime. I can’t wait to write a note to Santa and leave a cookie (or two) for him with some milk. The best part of the holiday season has nothing to do with how much I spent on presents. It has everything to do with making sure I’m being present with my family. Ah, yes, a sentimental cliche. I’m sorry, but I get sappy this time of year and it ain’t just from decorating the tree! Ba-da-dum.

I wish you all a happy day, no matter how you celebrate this season. If you’re a parent, please know that you've done enough. All they want for Christmas is your time and love. All I want for Christmas is for the 6-7 trend to disappear.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you take a little time this week to savor all you’ve accomplished this year. I know the credit card bills are coming due after the holidays, and we’re going to make a plan for those. But for right now, go drink some eggnog and pretend like you didn’t hear that off-color joke your uncle just told.

Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours,

-Catie

Hey, check out my Resources for more great financial tips and tricks. We’ll be adding some great new stuff in the new year, so stay tuned!