Not that we do not like other people’s company – we do – and we actually crave after some social interaction once and awhile. There are not that many people travelling right now, and we have not met many kids at the same age as ours. So, as parents we are really at work – and that is just fine. It is what we signed up for 😉

There is just one huge “but”.

Going home for Christmas was definitely the right choice for us, but it was also really hard. The absence of my stepfather was not too tough when travelling in Molly but arriving back home, it became really clear that something was missing. We were all really sad, we cried a lot and we tried to be supportive as well.

But it was difficult. The whole concept of gathering the family was kind of out of place, since there was one family member missing. We all tried to cheer up, have conversations and enjoy the traditions, but for me at least it was sort of meaningless. All the gifts and all the food. I was not able to really enjoy it, and luckily, we had the kids. Their joy and true happiness lightened the mood and saved the evening.

And Katrine and I would like to give them that. The Christmas “vibe”. They really enjoy the gifts and so, we like to give them gifts. But for us as adults? Not really. For me it became a meaningless exchange of currency, which I am not sure, I will ever get to really enjoy again. After all, we live privileged lives. We can afford most of the things, we need, and after having lived in Molly with very few things, I am not sure, how much more, we “need”. And if there is something, we need, we are likely to go out and buy it, instead of waiting for the Holidays and then send an “order list” with internet links to the family.

Maybe I am too radical in my opinions, and I also respect the persons, who just love receiving gifts and giving gifts. For me, it has just become a hassle to try and find the right gifts, stress about not finding the right ones and then dealing with hassle of trying to return it again, because it was not the correct size or colour. We have talked a lot about this over the last years. Last year we spent Christmas on Secret Island in the Philippines. The girls got one gift, and they where happy. Katrine has read about a family doing full time travel. They made a rule – 4 gifts pr. child. One they need (new shoes etc.), one they wish for, one experience with the rest of the family and something that will make someone else happy – that is also a way to go. We have not found our way yet in this circus of gifts – but we are getting closer. All we know is that for us it has to change, so that Christmas is about something else. Not to be ungrateful but the best gift, we received this year, was a handwritten and very personal card from my mom.