(no subject)
$52.4 million in sales over the Thanksgiving holiday was the caption I read this morning. That is a lot of “stuff” bought. It makes me wonder how much of it will actually be treasured. Or will it just end up in the landfill like the Grinch stated in Dr Suess famous story line. Sometimes I wonder if we really purchase something because we truly want to get someone something or is it out of obligation or guilt because the holiday season is upon us?
I know I am not a materialistic person. I prefer to have the basic stuff that I know I will use and not be shoved to the back of the closet until it is taken to the goodwill. I know everyone is not this way. Some people get their sense of self from “owning” the latest and greatest gadget or gizmo. I would say there is nothing wrong with that as long as they are not living beyond their means or expecting others to provide it for them. I wonder how much of that $52.4 million was put on credit cards.
It’s like the newest toys that come out. We rush out to get them and then the child plays with them for less than two weeks and the toy is never seen again. Isn’t it better to find something the child is truly interested in and buy that? Even if it cost a little more, it’s worth it because it doesn’t end up in the bottom of the toy box. It has been my observation that a child that is given every whim or too much “stuff” doesn’t have respect or value what they have. They just want more. They don’t take care of things because there will be something else to replace it. This continues in adulthood.
My children receive three gifts from me on Christmas. Jesus received three and myself nor my children are better than he. Because my children know this, they are more selective in what they put on their wish lists. They really think about what they want or need. For us the holiday contains more traditions, more family moments, and more moments for goodwill. If you ask my children about past Christmas they will most likely tell you about going to pick out their first real tree, making cookies, or donating an item to one of the giving trees. They may tell you about our tradition of reading a holiday book each night from Dec 1 to Dec 24. Maybe it will be about the movie nights where we watch holiday movies, share popcorn, and just enjoy each other’s company. Another tradition I have is purchasing or making a ornament, wrapping it up, dating it with the current year, and placing in a box for each of my children. When they marry or start their own home, I plan to wrap the big box and give it to them as a housewarming gift. They will have a couple dozen ornaments to start out with.
I guess I am challenging you to think about why you participate in certain traditions and make sure they mesh with your values and priorities. If you value financial responsibility and stability, does your traditions match that? If you value family and friends, are your traditions along those lines? If you feel good will and community service are important do you do something that shows that? Once you align your values and priorities, you eliminate the stress, the hassles, and the guilt that the holidays tend to bring with them.
I know I am not a materialistic person. I prefer to have the basic stuff that I know I will use and not be shoved to the back of the closet until it is taken to the goodwill. I know everyone is not this way. Some people get their sense of self from “owning” the latest and greatest gadget or gizmo. I would say there is nothing wrong with that as long as they are not living beyond their means or expecting others to provide it for them. I wonder how much of that $52.4 million was put on credit cards.
It’s like the newest toys that come out. We rush out to get them and then the child plays with them for less than two weeks and the toy is never seen again. Isn’t it better to find something the child is truly interested in and buy that? Even if it cost a little more, it’s worth it because it doesn’t end up in the bottom of the toy box. It has been my observation that a child that is given every whim or too much “stuff” doesn’t have respect or value what they have. They just want more. They don’t take care of things because there will be something else to replace it. This continues in adulthood.
My children receive three gifts from me on Christmas. Jesus received three and myself nor my children are better than he. Because my children know this, they are more selective in what they put on their wish lists. They really think about what they want or need. For us the holiday contains more traditions, more family moments, and more moments for goodwill. If you ask my children about past Christmas they will most likely tell you about going to pick out their first real tree, making cookies, or donating an item to one of the giving trees. They may tell you about our tradition of reading a holiday book each night from Dec 1 to Dec 24. Maybe it will be about the movie nights where we watch holiday movies, share popcorn, and just enjoy each other’s company. Another tradition I have is purchasing or making a ornament, wrapping it up, dating it with the current year, and placing in a box for each of my children. When they marry or start their own home, I plan to wrap the big box and give it to them as a housewarming gift. They will have a couple dozen ornaments to start out with.
I guess I am challenging you to think about why you participate in certain traditions and make sure they mesh with your values and priorities. If you value financial responsibility and stability, does your traditions match that? If you value family and friends, are your traditions along those lines? If you feel good will and community service are important do you do something that shows that? Once you align your values and priorities, you eliminate the stress, the hassles, and the guilt that the holidays tend to bring with them.