Christmas

One of my 1st “budgeting lessons” occurred right before Christmas when I was 10 or 11 years old. When my family lived in Williamsburg, VA we were walking around enjoying the decorations and visited a store that had a Christmas village on display. There was something about that village that was so inviting, warm, and friendly to me. I just had to have it.

I wanted to capture that cozy feeling and the warmth that this village radiated, so I grabbed a brochure that contained information on ordering the village. I remember the yellow building I wanted (it was a general store, I believe) and it cost a whopping $32! For an 11 year old (circa early 1980’s), this was the largest amount of money I had ever had to save before.

So, with my mind set on that yellow store to start my Christmas village collection, I vacuumed, washed, dried, and dusted my way until the $32 was burning a hole in my pocket. My dad said he would place the order for me, but before he did he asked if this is what I really wanted. Dad then explained to me that I would just be buying the one building, and that was it. All the other buildings would cost a lot more money.

I thought about it, and decided I liked my playtime and the chores were not worth the village. I figured I could buy the village when I got older and got a job; so I blew the money on junk (my parents missed a valuable budgeting lesson there).

But, I never got over that Christmas village; it is now 22 years later and I still have the fuzzy, yet cozy, Christmas image of that yellow building stuck in my head. This is what happens when you grow up near Colonial Williamsburg....

Everyone dreams of what Christmas means to them. In our minds we have “visions of sugar plumbs” dancing in our heads. This day after Christmas here's a glimpse of Christmas looks like in the reality of December 2009 (yes, that is Lard Jesus)...notice the difference my mind...

Hope everyone had a Happy Christmas!