Comments on: Neglecting November

By: pjb

pjb — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:39:17 +0000

I am sad the way that November has all but been shut out of the celebratory world due to $$$$$!
pjb

By: Emily M.

Emily M. — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:40:24 +0000

I haven’t got it figured out yet. Last year I was involved in our stake’s Christmas program, which brought a wonderful spirit to these months. This year I am more on my own. I am trying to temper my gimmes–I love to look through toy catalogs and imagine my kids playing with all the fun things. I have to take a step back and realize that they can only appreciate a few things on Christmas. Sometimes more is less.

By: Lisa H

Lisa H — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:14:18 +0000

Every year I check out and read Bill McKibben’s Hundred Dollar Holiday. (I don’t know why I haven’t bought it for myself, yet.) I’m still not where I’d like to be, but that book has helped me simplify things somewhat and always gives me the needed perspective I need going into the season. Unplug the Christmas Machine is another good book I have revisited several times. I also participate in Buy Nothing Day (which isn’t all that difficult for me since I hate to shop anyway!)I can’t wait to see that MormonAd, Justine. It’s going on my fridge.

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:55:49 +0000

Amen.

By: Justine

Justine — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:30:18 +0000

I want to close myself up in my house, with my family all tightly inside, and repel the constant barrage of advertisements that assail me.

The New Era this month has a MormonAd that shows the whole world for sale.

“Don’t Buy It!” is proclaimed.

I don’t want it.

By: Amy Sorensen

Amy Sorensen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:23:03 +0000

I loved this thought: “November is just too precious to be treated as a mere bridge on the way to Destination Christmas.” I so agree. For me, it’s not just that November is overlooked…it’s as if, in the rush toward commercialized Christmas, the last days of autumn are wasted. I start doing some shopping during November for Christmas, but only gifts, never decorations; I refuse to buy anything holiday-themed until December.

Thanks for writing this—I will continue to think about it.

By: Neglecting November « Brainy Mama

Neglecting November « Brainy Mama — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:31:44 +0000

[...] I wrote a blog post for Segullah yesterday. Check it out here… [...]

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:17:14 +0000

I like this November because we’re not really freezing yet and it’s still so beautiful outside.

The first year we were married, we decided we couldn’t afford a tree. The second year we put our tree up on November 9th or so. We are back to waiting for Thanksgiving to pass now.

I like your idea of November being a desert place for you, a “plain of clarity.” Thank you for your calming thoughts.

By: AzÃºcar

AzÃºcar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:09:21 +0000

I love November, it’s such a cozy month. I love the harvest mentality and the thanks we give for another year of bounty. Thank you for the gentle reminder to observe before we plunge into December.

By: Kel

Kel — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:02:53 +0000

Here in Australia we’re moving into summer. I live in the tropics, so the heat and humidity is kicking in as well. So no Thanksgiving dinners, and no hibernation weather either!

I’m finding myself resisting the momentum into full activity of Christmas (decorations/Santas have been for sale since October) – as you said, I’m in charge of celebrations, and I’m choosing how to react, and how to celebrate Christmas.

Thanks for the reminder and perfect saying to remind myself that I am in charge of celebration.