I have read about people not giving gifts on Christmas but
it never really happened in our family…until this year.
I enjoy thinking about and purchasing gifts for people. I am known to purchase a gift for Christmas
on January 5th and stash it away to give 11 ¾ months later. This year has been quite the opposite.
I have a hard enough time wrapping my head around the fact
that it is cold outside let alone that Christmas is right around the
corner. Originally, I had planned to do
more gifts of experience
with family, which we will still do; however, it will not be in the form of a
gift for Christmas this year but something that we carry out throughout the
year together.
I think it all started back in May when hubby and I went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon for our 5 year wedding anniversary. I was
completely astonished by the amount of consumption that went on by vacationers and
then again in October when I went to Disney with my mom, brother and
niece. These two trips really changed
the way Todd and I look at consumerism.
the theory that an increasing consumpion of goods is economically desirable; also: a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods
We have been advising friends and family since June that we are
not going to buy into the consumerism mentality of Christmas. To date, we have done pretty well with
it. I will admit that we do have gifts
for my two niece’s who are 4 and 6, but they are simple and practical (which is
the only gift they ever get from Auntie M anyway).
There are people who feel that we are doing this because we
are cheap and don’t want to spend money; however, that couldn’t be further from
the truth. Yes, we are frugal, but I
love nothing more than thinking about and giving gifts to others. We have
decided that instead of giving once or twice a year, we will be giving to our
family and friends throughout the entire year and committing to spending
quality time together as the year progresses.
In my opinion (and that is only what this is,) I don’t feel Christmas is
(or should be) about the gifts.
I want to leave a lasting memory on my friends and family of
love, loyalty, laughter, experiences and collective time with one another. These are the memories that last a
lifetime.
What are your thoughts on a giftless Christmas?
Have you cut down on
your gift-giving this year? I would like
to hear about it!
DISCLAIMER: This is
something my husband and I have discussed extensively over the past several
months. Each family is different and we
do not oppose other’s beliefs in gift-giving.
As I always say, “To each his own.”