Christmas is the time of year where we see jovial Santas, Christmas bells, and people talk about Christmas cheer. For kids they make their Christmas lists (well adults do too!) and have you noticed how children suddenly become little angels because they know Santa is checking his list twice for who is naughty and who is nice? BUT to me, Christmas had become a time of stress. A time where I felt pressure to buy gifts to give to not only my family, but also my friends, and colleagues and acquaintances. It became a truly expensive, draining, and stressful time of year and I know, I’m not alone in this feeling. So, I personally, took the pressure off of myself and stopped buying gifts for everyone under the sun. I now buy gifts for the children in my family and my parents. I do this because I cannot help but watch the fun kids have opening presents on Christmas day BUT the gifts are not extravagant and likely something they need (keep reading, you will see why). For everyone else in my life they will get a smile, hug and maybe a card. Don’t get me wrong, I am a generous person and I give people gifts throughout the year when I WANT to bless them with something, and I figure if you are in my life and you are going to get upset because you did not receive a gift from me defriend me if you must!
Why do I sound Scroogish? I’m really not, but here’s the thing. Christmas to me, is supposed to be a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who was born to be a savior to us all. His birth marks a very significant event. It’s God’s gift to us. So for me, to celebrate the significance of this event by incurring debt, stressing about who will get what and – let’s just be real – keeping up with the Jones’ , is dishonoring the significance of His birth and actually creating a situation where I am going to contribute to bad behaviors – primarily my own!
Now, you might be saying “Jen, you are just being cheap”. But I’m really not! My inner circle knows I will give them anything and do anything to help them anytime I can but after spending a considerable part of the year a few years back, having to repay debt incurred at Christmas only to see the gifts purchased remain in a box or if out of the box, watch kids play with the box and not the toys – I had to really rethink this Christmas giving thing – LOL.
Then – EUREKA! One day I heard a really smart lady, Kathleen Mundy, say the words that have stayed with me since I initially heard them “I don’t buy gifts for my loved ones – they are perishable and forgotten, I now provide them with experiences – memories, they will never forget.”
I’ve adopted this way of thinking. I now provide my family with experiences – memories they will never forget.
I now take my kids on trips, or create a really exciting outing – do things they love and will remember. And they do! I love when my son says to me – “Mommy, remember when we went to that place with the really big fish?” – Chicago museum. Or “Mommy, remember when we went to that Cousin Vinny place we went with Miss Rita?” – Niagara Falls. Or “Mommy, remember when…” and we talk about it and laugh. I find these times much more fulfilling, rewarding, and treasuring than just giving them the latest gadget. That’s how I choose to invest my money.
BUT if you are going to buy gifts this season AND you were more forward thinking than I used to be and actually have a budget (lol) here are my top ten thoughts to thoughtful and economical gift giving:
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and most prosperous New Year!
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