Collect Moments, Not Things
It is hard to believe that in a week from now it will be Thanksgiving.
Personally, Thanksgiving and the Fall season has always been my favorite time of the year.
Being with family, eating amazing made-from-scratch food, and slowing down to truly enjoy the little things.
Because let’s be honest, the little things are really the big things.
Last year was my family’s first Thanksgiving in our home here in Virginia.
The boys had so much fun pressing the stamper down to help make these cute little homemade apple pies.
They also helped me decorate our table. It was simple, yet festive.
And at the end of the night we all cuddled up under a blanket and watched a Mickey Mouse movie together.
With our favorite stuffed animals, of course.
It’s Not About The Presents
Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas and celebrating the birth and life of Jesus Christ our Savior, but to the world, Christmas has unfortunately became a materialistic holiday, driven by who can spend more and buy the best gift.
Yes, I love seeing my little one’s faces light up when they receive a gift that they have been longing to receive, but I just as much enjoy watching them giggle as we read a silly bedtime story.
Or when we build a blanket and pillow fort in our living room together.
It also gives me no greater feeling than letting them run around outside and watching their eyes fill with wonder as they watch the snow start to trickle down and lightly kiss their faces.
When I think about all of the Christmases from my childhood, I don’t think about the presents I received, but instead I think about the experiences and memories I have of my family.
Like going to both of my grandparents’ houses and seeing all my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Or being an angel in the church play and getting to sing “Oh Holy Night” in front of a crowd of people.
Or me and my two brothers staying up way past our bedtime to watch movies on the couch with my mom and dad, and thinking it was the coolest thing in the world.
All of these things are moments and memories and none of it has anything to do with presents or gifts.
I guess the intention behind my post today is to help remind you that it’s not about the presents, and your love doesn’t show through what you buy for someone.
It’s in the way you treat them and in the way you show them your love all year long.
As I get older and as I lose more precious family members I realize that things are just that, they’re things.
But the moments that are built and the memories that are made is what sticks with us and reminds us of what is truly important.
This is our Christmas card from 3 years ago, and I love the quote on it. “Remember this holiday season that the best things in life aren’t things”
I hope you enjoyed today’s reminder to “Collect Moments, Not Things”. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed season ahead, full of precious moments and memories!
Thanks for stopping by!-Cara
Yes I am trying to remember this this year-less things, more moments! New years way to think 🙂
Those pies look so good!
Such a good way to live life, Shannon. Thank-you they were fun to make with my boys! 🙂
Cara, your boys are so cute! And that red hair (!!!), I love it. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with you, I feel like we could all stand to take stock more often of the little moments in life that make us happiest and most grateful.
Great to meet you, girl. 🙂
xo
Thanks Lindsay! They are my world. Nice meeting you too 🙂
I completely agree most of my favorite memories are just the traditions we have and the people we share the holidays with not the things we got.
Exactly, Kerry! It’s easy to get caught up in all of the materialistic aspects, but spending quality time with one another is what is most important.
100% true. since having kids, i’m all about the moments, not what i give to my little girl. we try to teach her that christmas isn’t about gifts, it’s about spending time with those you love!
I agree Kathy, and that’s wonderful that you are instilling that in your daughter. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
What a beautiful quote! I wrote a post similar to this earlier in the week. Life already goes too fast and I don’t want to rush it even more by “ignoring” Thanksgiving, which is such a special holiday. I also remember moments and experiences so much more than things =)
Thank-you! Some days it seems like time just flies and I want to enjoy every second of it that I can with my family. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Very well said. I think Christmas has become tainted in a negative way for me because of all the “gift” buying, etc. I get lots of things I don’t even want or need, and it’s not that I’m not grateful, it’s just wasteful and those giving are doing so only because they think they have to.
Thank-you! I agree, I don’t want others to ever feel obligated to buy anything for me as I’m happy just seeing them during the holidays. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
I totally agree that Christmas has become so materialistic in so many ways. I love it still, but it is sad how many people are bogged down with buying gifts, attending parties, and whatever else is on their to-do list, rather than enjoying each other and the faithfulness of God in the previous year. That’s my favorite part of Thanksgiving, so it is one of my favorite holidays. It is so nice to pause and reflect on His goodness as well as the blessings from the year.
Thanks for stopping by, Elena! I agree that pausing and reflecting on our blessings is very important. Now that I have children I’m trying to instill the importance of that in them as well. Have a great weekend 🙂
Cara, this is so true! There is a quote on my wall by Helen Keller that says, “The best things in life cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” I love this post! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
That’s a beautiful quote, Sarah! Have a great weekend!
Fabulous post, lady! SO true, so true!
Thank-you!
This words ring so true! Anytime you have family together it is just so important to stop and take it all in…to reflect on the small moments that make the time together special. Also, I love those little apple pies. So cute!
Thank-you so much!
I love your thoughts on Christmas as I’ve felt the same way the past several years. I always try to keep Christ in Christmas, and remember the real reason we’re celebrating the holiday.
Happy Friday gurlie <3
Green Fashionista
Thank-you! Have a great weekend 🙂
So glad to have found your blog today!! What a great post…so true!! Thanks for sharing!! Your boys are sweet!! =)
Thank-you, glad you stopped by! 🙂
Love those little apple pies! So cute!!
Thank-you! They were very easy to make!
I completely agree with you, the holidays for me is special not because of presents and the commercialism but with the memories with family and the traditions we all have that are special to us 🙂
I rarely get to see all of my family anymore now that we’re older, so it’s nice to get to spend time together.
Cara, this was a beautiful post! As I get older I definitely appreciate the moments more than the materials! It is fun to spoil my friends and family but as you said, what I love most about this time of year is that we all take some time away from our busy schedules to just enjoy each others company. I’m really looking forward to some time off with my family! Can’t believe it came up so fast! Loved this post! XO -Kim
Thank-you! I guess the older I get the more I realize that time truly is precious and if you don’t spend it with the ones you love, they will too quickly be gone. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Thanks for linking up today! It can be hard not to get caught up with all the commercialism of the holidays. It’s always important to step back and enjoy and remember the little things!
I agree! I love just spending time with my family and enjoying the moments.
I just love your blog, girl and this post just made my heart happy because it’s so true! My husband and I were even talking recently how we wished no one even gave presents anymore because it’s lost all meaning. I’m just getting people gift cards this year, honestly because I know they will want specific things and people let you know now if they aren’t happy with a gift. It’s a crazy time, I don’t remember it being like that growing up at all. Love love this post!
Linds @ Not A Mom
Thank you so much! And I completely agree, I can remember being so grateful for everything I received from people as a child, but it just doesn’t seem that way in society anymore unfortunately.
Those pies are adorable, what a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen! I love the table scape, simple is always best in my books! 🙂
Thank-you! I get so busy cooking that this is about the best it gets some years-haha. Thanks so much for commenting!