Lights. Trees. Shopping....Pressure.
Are you feeling the pressure to be a good Santa this holiday season? I mean, what kind of a scrooge wouldn't spend hundreds, if not thousands, on gifts for their friends and loved ones?
I really do believe that the Christmas season should be about giving. The only problem is, people seem to experience pressure to give at levels that usually exceed their resources. Many of us go into tremendous levels of debt in our attempt to be GIVERS. It just doesn't make sense.
It's hard to give if you're broke!
Where does this pressure come from? Is it the commercialization of the holiday? Is it our own ego trying to present an image that we've got it all together? Why do we insist on giving when we really don't have much money to give?
Are you feeling the pressure to be a good Santa this holiday season? I mean, what kind of a scrooge wouldn't spend hundreds, if not thousands, on gifts for their friends and loved ones?
I really do believe that the Christmas season should be about giving. The only problem is, people seem to experience pressure to give at levels that usually exceed their resources. Many of us go into tremendous levels of debt in our attempt to be GIVERS. It just doesn't make sense.
It's hard to give if you're broke!
Where does this pressure come from? Is it the commercialization of the holiday? Is it our own ego trying to present an image that we've got it all together? Why do we insist on giving when we really don't have much money to give?
9 comments:
We give above our means because people have a hard time being realistic about what they really can afford. Our society encourages us to always get the latest and greatest thing. People are paying $600 for PS3 that probably have some bugs. During the Christmas season is when people move farther and farther into debt. Folks need to do a better job of controlling their urges when it comes to shopping.
I don't know about others but as for me it is a festive atmosphere.
You see when I'm able to think on what I want to give, it brings joy to me to know that I can.
I understand your blog but I believe we all want to give good gifts that can be used and not stored away or thrown away!!
Giving requires thinking and understanding that you thought this through for a gift that would fit the person /s need.
As to commercialization, well yes, it has pumped up buyers to feel pressure to step up their giving but for the ones that know what to give makes all the difference.
Peace,
This is so true, so often we spend and spend out of control trying to present an image of stability or just for the sake of giving beyond our means. I'm glad you sent this reality check.
I stopped foolish Christmas money practices a few years ago. If I can't buy it with cash on hand, I don't buy it. My list is limited. My husband and I don't buy each other anything unless we see an item we both can use. We give small gift cards or money to each child in our families. The adults are mature to concentrate on the children. No one in our families pretend to have what we don't have. I must admit it took a few years to get to this point. They got it!! Thank you Jesus.
The next item on my agenda is the elimination of the yearly Vegas Trip. :(
Even in our finances, we should heed the instructions that are given on an airplane. "If the oxygen masks are needed, secure your own before attempting to help those around you "
You can't really help the next man if your affairs are jacked up.
When gifts are given to impress, or to prevent folks from talking about you, they really aren't gifts at all. A real gift comes from the heart and is meant to bless the recipient--not make the giver look good.
I think it is so important today that people begin giving their time to people instead of gifts. Go to a soup kitchen and help out. Adopt a family and take them to church. This is a time to change the next generation mind thought. Teach them christmas is not about Sony Playstations, MP3s, etc. Lets show the next generation that giving their time and effort can bring the greatest christmas gift to themselves, somebody else smile.
you know when the fog clears and the season of festivities are over, I realize that i am stuck with a enormous amount of debt.
this year, for the oddest reason, I cant find my credit card of choice.
(yes I have one that I absolutely love because of the interest rate and the days to pay it off.) I am wondering, and have taken it as a sign..
that if I cant find it, then it means that I have to pay by cash.
So now, my thing is this. If I am shopping for the family, and the cash is gone..
then its time for me to stop..
This way, when 2007 rolls in, there will be no credit card bills knocking at the door, and no high blood pressure, when I have to open the check book to pay them off..
Problem solved..
No pressure I let EVERYONE know the deal... we are putting names in a hat and you can get any 2 gifts not over $50.00 each.
And we as a family must do something for another family less fortunate than us.
Dr. Smith
i can't help you with this one because i don't feel pressured to give "expensive" gifts. i don't believe a gift has to be expensive to be a good gift. there are lots of ways to be creative inexpensively and still give a gift that does not get stored or thrown away. i don't wanna get all into detail but y'all creative/inventive women out there know what i am talking about. i hate shopping and i hate spending money... maybe it's because i never have much of it, but that's ok... sounds like people who do have it stress to much about how to spend it lol....
Post a Comment