Let’s Get Gift-giving Back Under Control
December 4, 2003
By Rev.
Todd Crofford
Sr. Pastor
Laurel Wesleyan Church
Think quick… name three gifts you received last year for Christmas. If you think
you struggle, try the kids. I bet they rack their brain to remember even one.
Might I suggest that the gift giving craze in our culture is not only out of
control, it is unnecessary?
Now I am not against giving gifts by any means, and I enjoy opening something
from under the tree as much as the next guy, but somewhere along the line gift
giving has overshadowed too many of the wonderful elements of the season. One
recent report I read said that the average American spends the first six months
of each year paying off the debt accrued for Christmas giving. Said another way,
much of the stuff we buy one another is broken, used up, or collecting dust
before it is even fully paid for!
Since Christmas is a celebration of God’s great gift to us of Jesus Christ,
there will always be gift giving. So I thought I would make a few practical
suggestions that we have observed work for other or ourselves to help keep the
gift giving habits under control.
First, consider what is a reasonable number of gifts for children. Even Jesus
only received three gifts according to the book of Matthew. In planning, give
consideration whether your children are also going to receive from grandparents,
uncles, friends, neighbors or schoolmates. We have chosen to give two gifts to
each child each year, and yet they look forward to Christmas morning every bit
as much as any other child I know.
Consider gift rotations. There are many siblings in both my wife’s and mine. A
few years ago we went to a rotation where each family was only buying for one
other sibling family. Eventually we decided there wasn’t even need for that; and
while there is still plenty of love flowing between us, we have all agreed a
gift is not necessary for that love to be understood.
For the truly frugally minded, save the boxes! There is no reason a well-kept or
seldom used toy with all the parts and the original box won’t thrill a younger
nephew or cousin. This year Diane and I found a yard sale with Thomas the Train
toys that were in great condition. Ten dollars later we hauled away all the
Christmas our two year old will possibly need this year.
Decide on a dollar figure and stick with it. Each year Diane and I set a budget
for Christmas and we stay within it or very close. Money we have set aside
during the year covers most if not all of the budget. If that is not possible,
you still must attempt to not abuse, and if possible not even use plastic money
for Christmas this year.
Finally, give some consideration to non-monetary ways to make the season
brighter. Since the beginning our marriage we have had a tradition of sleeping
out around the Christmas tree the first night after setting it up; a tradition
we have carried on now with our four children. Checking out decorations in the
mall, driving past well-decorated houses, or even a bit of family Christmas
caroling climaxing in mugs of hot chocolate make memories that last longer than
clothes, toys, and trinkets. Special moments like those add much more to the
season than gifts ever will.
So this year, let Santa spend the whole year worrying about how to provide the
volume of toys and gifts that have become the norm in our culture. If you would
dare to take the bold step of simplifying, you just may find you enjoy the
season more than ever!
The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Site One
Networks, Inc, the congregation of
the Laurel Wesleyan Church or the Wesleyan Church International. You may respond
to the author directly by E-mailing laurelwesleyan@siteone.net
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