By Staff
This Christmas, my family and I are making it a point not to spend as much money as we usually do.
Now, before I start this column I will say I am being somewhat of a hypocrite. Last week, I talked about how Christmas starts way too soon and I am tired of seeing items and hearing Christmas music long before we even get to Thanksgiving. Well, Thanksgiving is over, so here I am talking about Christmas! But I have a good reason to and you will see why as you read on.
So, we are keeping Christmas very simple this year. As I get older, I realize what really is most important this time of year. When you're younger gifts are what make Christmas. You want toys, books, bikes, planes and games. As you get a little older, around the teen years, clothes and money are great and if you don't have at least five boxes of clothes, it's just not Christmas.
Since reaching my 20s (actually I just turned 26 and reminded my parents that I am only four years away from 30 – wow!) I have realized that it's not about how many gifts you get or how many gifts you buy someone. If you need a gazillion gifts to show someone you care, you probably shouldn't be buying for them in the first place!
I have been known to be a huge gift giver and go way overboard with my gifts. But in the end, why? Why do we feel we have to spend so much at Christmas?
This year, I already feel very proud of myself. While covering the story of the Angel Tree at Signal Travel, I decided to take a tag with me. It's amazing how many children in this area alone are on that tree. I even saw an Angel Tree at Milano's last night while picking up some food. And I'm sure there are others elsewhere.
I cannot think of any better gift to give this year than putting a smile on a child's face.
I enjoy shopping for children and unfortunately do not get to do it that much, but when I get the chance I like to have fun and find the perfect gift. The nice thing about the children on the Angel Tree is that they have a list of "wish" items, as well as names, ages and sizes of clothing. Most of the children only have a few things listed, but I have a feeling my child may get a few more things than asked for!
Here at the office, we have decided to adopt not one, but two families. Hey, the more the merrier, right?
Here's my outlook – buying Christmas gifts for family members is always something I will do. But I do not have to get them 25 gifts just to let them know I care. They already know I care and piling gifts to the ceiling isn't going to change much. In fact, I may get yelled at because I bought too much.
So, instead of spending gobs of money on each other, we are just sticking to the basics. With the extra money I have left over, I am going to help other families who truly need it. I can buy my parents a new sweatshirt every year, but they already have seven plus sweat shirts in the closet. Why not take that money and buy a sweatshirt for someone who has just one – or none for that matter.
Instead of buying that $70 bottle of cologne which a family member only wears twice out of the year, spend that $70 and buy an entire bath and body set for a family who struggles just to buy soap. You can get a lot of shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions and razors for that price.
So many people already do help out in so many ways around the holidays and I am very glad I am doing my part. There's no better feeling than knowing you are helping someone. As I have said before, acts of kindness always repay us. My reward for helping a child? I'm not even sure words can describe, it just brings a smile to my face and I hope it does to theirs as well.
She can be reached at erika.pickles@leaderpub.com.