Many of you are aware I am an avid internet shopper and review reader of everything! The search for an item yesterday brought me to a discussion board that had a huge number of postings for the topic. "I hate Christmas". Everyone knows the way to get people to at least lurk on a discussion forum is to make the title a bit controversional.
The original poster wasn't a non Christian religion hating person. They (I believe it was a woman) were upset that the value and thought that they had put into a gifts was regularly returned by a $4.99 discount item that reflected none of her interests.
The discussion went wild about how the poster didn't have the true meaning of Christmas and that "she" should find better friends or things to do with her money. Find Christ... etc.
It dawned on me that I don't think it was the fact that she didn't "get" good gifts. It was that the love that was put into selecting the absolute right gift and wrapping carefully wasn't returned. Simply, her circle of gift receipants didn't love her back the way she could understand and value affection.
I think this has happened to everyone. I know it happens to me in reverse. There are people that it is very tough to buy for in everyone's family. You want to get them something that will delight them. That it will be the best present of the day. It is wrapped with care and love. What happens when you can't find that item? What happens when a budget (time or money) doesn't allow for that to occur? What happens when you receive something that is the thing the giver loves but not you? I think the end result is that most people know the abilities of their circle of family and friends. Deep inside.... you are aware of the financial, time and shopping savvyness of your community. So... here are a couple of great ideas that were posted on the discussion:
1) Accept the short comings and adjust your spending to a nice present but is in line with what you have received in the past. There are lots of things you can still get for under $20.
- Gift Cards to Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts
- Books or Book Store gift cards
- A bottle of wine or Gourmet Coffee or Tea
- Gourmet Chocolate
- A Christmas decoration (although this got blasted if the gift is given ON Christmas)
- Homemade items including food (consider your audience's diet - candy for the diabetic that isn't sugar free - WRONG. Omaha steaks for the Vegan - NOT GOOD)
- Magazine Subscription
- Kitchen Gadgets
- Giving to Charity
- No Gift policy - announce it early
- Yankee or Dirty Santa Swaps with limits
- Pulling names with set limits
- Do a Christmas list (remember to put items from the cheap side of the aisle on it) - be specific if you are a picky person
3) Find the Christmas spirit in other ways
- Attend Holiday concerts
- Buy toys for under privileged kids
- Spend time visiting a nursing home or hospital
- Go shopping with friends and make it a social occasion
- Drive around with friends to see the lights with carols in the car
- Host a holiday party with a theme (cookie swap, wine tasting, decoration swap or tree decorating)
I love Christmas 90% of the time. I am lucky to have very giving family members and friends. My husband and I love the shopping for the right gifts ...especially for the kids in the family. I love the smell of the tree. Mostly, I adore getting together with people I care about and sharing time with them. Here is to a wonderful Holiday season!
