If you are like me, then Christmas or the Holiday season is one of your favorite times of the year for so many reasons. Family get-togethers, tons of great food and snacks, winter weather, and cozy memories made and celebrated all are reasons that this festive season ranks as my favorite.
Gifts received and given are engraved in our culture and our personal lives since before we even know what a "gift" is. My son (who is a year and a half) will no doubt be submerged in gifts given to him this year from his parents, grandparents, friends and family. And he doesn't even know why! We are told this is the season, among other things, to give and get new things wrapped in paper, topped with a sparkly bow, and tossed underneath a fake evergreen.
And while the thought of giving gifts might overwhelm or bore some, I absolutely love getting gifts for others.
Don't get me wrong: I do like the new presents for myself. I will never turn down a box that has my name written on the tag.
But there is something about giving a genuine gift to someone else, especially if you know they will love it.
This doesn't include giving gifts because we have to or we should.
But, again, if you're like me, you will find yourself strapped to a term that many of us acknowledge but shudder at: A Christmas budget.
The word "budget" is enough to strike fear into the hearts of many. But why should we restrict the most wonderful time of the year? The answer is quite simple: There is no need to go broke because of Christmas. Absolutely no need.
Me and my wife are currently paying our dues in life. We are still just starting out, as well as trying to raise our son and make payments and pay the bills. I'm still a full-time college student. We are tight, and that's okay. We work hard and our smart financially. And so it KILLS us to have to restrict ourselves to a Christmas budget. But that's exactly what we do.
So when it comes to giving during this time of the year, my bit of advice (as if I'm some expert which I'm not) is to make each gift count. Make each gift personal. Put work and time into them. Pick out (or make!!) a gift for someone that will resonate with them so much more than anything with more monetary value. Yes this takes a little more though and a little more time, but that's what gift giving is all about. Gift cards and cash have taken some of the stress and anxiety out of gift giving yes, but they have also taken the personal aspects out. Wrap your presents as best as you can, even if they look awful. Top that mess with a bow! And give it with happiness. Make your budget, set your amount, and stick to it! Give because you can and you want to, not because you have to. The meaning behind and how we make that meaning resonated physically underneath a tree makes all the difference.
