My families adventure on the road to oz via Germany

The magic of christmas

Of late ive become a little cynical of christmas as just an exercise by shops to get loads of money from hard cash strapped people. Despite always loving christmas and always getting into the spirit of things in the past.

Then today my boys made me see christmas in a new light , the magic of christmas.All because we watched Miracle on 34th street. As my boys were clearly engrossed in watching the film i sat back and watched it with them. After wards my 7 year old said how much he enjoyed the film and was looking forward to christmas, not for the fancy pressies that they get, but because people are nice to each other and smile. He gave me a lump in my throat. My eldest even said he wasn't bothered if we cant afford much this year as he knows we are saving up for oz. 

The kids have even asked if we can make cards to send to our friends this year instead of buying them. I told them it was a lovley idea  and if can get the stuff and i have time then we shall do that.

The boys still dont know we are going away for christmas and im sure it will be magical, just the five of us and Benji the dog. We plan on taking the pressies in a suitcase so they are none the wiser. Im even going to wrap a pressie from their grandparents . They wont be getting much this year as they still haven't played with all the stuff they got last year. So it will be mainly clothes and educational stuff. ( i know boring parent alert)

 As we wont be able to watch tv (German only) im taking plenty of board games and things to do as a family.  Im going to use this christmas to try and show my kids that we dont need a lavish christmas to have fun. I still remember as a kid haing dad's pit socks filled with fruit and after dinner playing scrabble or draughts. May sound a little old fashioned in todays society but i think it was the best time i could have had as a kid. 

Ive also decided to give pressies that have real meaning, instead of buying something for my gran that i know she will never use, im going to buy a goat or something similar for a family from a developing country. Ive aways been the type of person to give a lot of thought on pressies as i enjoy giving joy so much. It never really bothers me if i recieve little in return.

So i guess the magic of christmas is truely in our house this year. Im itching to put the decs up but i shall refrain for a few more weeks yet.

Time for me to get some kip as tommorow we are off exploring Paderborn