So how are we at simplifying life thus far?
It is in a small but steady measure for me. With an economy that experts warn looks to worsen in the coming days, I remind myself that all the more reason I should simplify and stick with the basics, at least until we’ve weathered through the storms of uncertainty ahead of us.
That’s why this next chapter of our book review is in fact nothing new, but certainly more real at this time.
Buy Christmas gifts all year long.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. – Proverbs 16:3
By the time Christmas day rolls around each year, many of us find that we are too exhausted and too broke to enjoy the celebration. That’s because we have spent the two or three weeks before Christmas in a flurry of baking, cleaning, decorating, signing cards, and buying and wrapping gifts.
Try purchasing two or three gifts a month throughout the year. Wrap and label them so that you can remember what they are and who they are for. Christmas cards can be signed and addressed well in advance also. This approach makes life a little simpler and saves you money. *Cards and gifts are much less expensive in January than in December.
The best Christmas gift we can give ourselves is TIME.
*Over here in Malaysia we are blessed that there is usually a Mega Sale scheduled in December. Price-wise we could get quite a good bargain. Time-wise however, we could heed the advice given.
My Brother and his wife are very good with buying gifts all year long. I know my SIL is always on the lookout for the perfect gift for someone in the family when the occasion calls for it. Often times she will catch an item with good value for money. I’m learning from her.
I realise that this idea can also be applied to other celebrations that we have here in Sabah, and in Malaysia as a whole. For me and my Family, Chinese New Year and Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) does come once every year. Then there’s Birthdays and Anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and dare I say it? Valentine’s Day. It shouldn’t come upon us in overwhelming ways.
With good planning, we could have a memorable celebration even on a budget and best of all, have the time to savor it all.
Go on. Let’s hear your take. 
yabah kan! so true! nah, sia start la beli Cmas gift suda ni!
So what the girls like ah?
woohoo! hehehe…
at the moment, they’re still princess-y and girly, although Big Sis has ‘graduated’ on to more ‘bigger girl’ likes, eg. Hannah Montana. Middle Sis still loves her colors and drawing. Lately, she’s begun to draw pictures free-hand. Her attention to detail in some of her free-hands is quite impressive. Si Kecik only wants Pink of everything!
they all have one thing in common though. they like books. when all ideas run short, you can never go wrong with a good book for them.
now EVERYBODY else knows what they can get for the Girls as gifts! hahaha!