IKEA made me do it.
I sat at my computer one morning and this IKEA Christmas commercial popped up in my Facebook feed.
I sat at my computer and cried.
I was actually planning on going to IKEA the next day. When my husband is out of town for business, it means that I have the car at home and I can do what I love to do – visit IKEA. There is nothing quite like a solitary trip to IKEA. Wandering aimlessly. Eating in peace. Picking up an ice cream cone before heading home. 
But, I watched that IKEA Christmas commercial and it had made me cry. Which meant I knew what I had to do. I had to skip my trip to IKEA and spend some time with my kids instead.
So, instead I invited my daughters to lunch. One on Thursday and one on Friday. My daughters both started at new schools this year. Schools that were too far away for me to fit in a lunchtime trip without the use of a car.
When I asked if they wanted to go out for lunch they were so excited…delighted. Perfect.
I am always looking for pockets of one on one time with my girls. If I’m running to the grocery store on the weekend I try and take one of my daughters with me. We chat alone at bedtime. My girls have come to expect those trips – those times alone. The idea of my taking them to lunch was something unexpected and special…truly appreciated.
So, I picked up my eldest daughter from school and we were off to a local cafe for lunch. We shared a meal. We shared stories about our day. We made a memory. We spent time together.
Today, I’ll be picking my youngest daughter up from school for our lunch date.
Thanks for making me do this IKEA. Thanks for reminding me of what I already know. They don’t want all the gifts under the tree for Christmas. What they really want is time with their family.
P.S. While that IKEA commercial did not make me feel like I had to shop at IKEA, that commercial certainly solidified my respect for IKEA.
P.P.S. I’ll be back to shop IKEA – don’t worry.