What I DON'T Want for Christmas and Why | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

What I DON'T Want for Christmas and Why

There are gifts and then there is this...

6
What I DON'T Want for Christmas and Why
Makaila Spencer

In the last few weeks, I have been asked at least twenty times what I want for Christmas, by friends and family. My answer is always something like I don't want anything, don't get me anything, or something similar. My friends always get frustrated and confused and think that I am kidding. I'm not. There are two reasons that I always respond this way to gift idea inquiries.

The first is that I do not like asking people for gifts. I’ve never liked doing it. I had a huge family growing up. There were nine children, including myself, and then my mother and father. That's a lot of gifts that need to be bought at Christmas time, and it's a lot of birthdays throughout the year. My family wasn’t rich, and so I didn't like the idea of asking them to spend money on me, even though they were offering. I realize now that if they didn't have the money they wouldn't, but I still never liked the idea of asking to waste money on me.

The second reason is the reason that I am writing this. I do not like when people get someone gifts because they feel an obligation. Every Christmas, Valentine's Day, and friends birthday, my friends’ boyfriends and girlfriends will be asking around what they should get for their significant other for the occasion. They stress out over it and worry and get concerned. One year I hadn't realized what day it was and I asked my friend’s boyfriend why and his response was, and I quote, “it’s Valentine’s Day, I’ve got to get her something.” That's not how this is supposed to work in my opinion, and you aren’t supposed just to buy someone a gift because you feel an obligation. If you get someone something it should because you want to, not because you think you have to. The same goes for receiving gifts. You shouldn't think, just because it's a holiday or your birthday, that someone is supposed to buy you something it takes the meaning out of it. I don't expect anyone to buy me anything and if they don't, I am fine with that.

I have no problems receiving gifts. I’m not an ungrateful person. I am always super grateful. I just think that it should be because the person genuinely wants to get you something. It means a lot more, and I feel a lot better about it.


So because of that here is what I don’t want during the holiday season:

- gifts of obligation


But more than anything here is what I do want:

- For friends and family to have a Merry Christmas

- To spend time with the people I love and care about

- Everyone to have safe travels


Happy holidays everyone

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2622
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1559
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200820
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21288
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments