The holiday season is tough for many people; financially and emotionally. Financially, the holidays are a time of concern because, especially with the economy and joblessness as they are, Christmas may not be as gift-filled as we may want. That thinking is one issue that is a problem within our society. Christmas isn't about getting things. It's about family, being grateful for what you do have, and about the religious meanings behind the story of Christmas (if you believe those sorts of thing).
As a society, we have gotten away from the true meaning of Christmas and focus on the material things. By placing this importance on the material meaning of Christmas, more pressure is placed on parents, family members, and friends to get exactly what we want. We let this pressure to buy things get us out of the spirit of the holidays and end up putting ourselves in bad financial positions because we are trying to please everyone with material things. Christmas is more about family and friends getting together, traditions, and good (crazy) times around the dinner table.
CHRISTMAS ISN'T ABOUT THINGS, IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE.
Don't stress yourself by trying to get everyone what they want, do what you can.
Here are somethings you can do if money is tight this holiday season and still give the people in your life something:
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Make Something - you don't have to be an artist, you just have to make something meaningful. I'm very good at making "stupid" little things that people end up loving. I doodle a lot so I might make something abstract and give it to someone who it reminds me of.
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Set a Spending Limit - With friends set a $20 limit and set some ground rules: like it has to be something that symbolizes your friendship or has to be something that you can actually use. With family set a limit for older family members such as siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles/parents/grandparents. Set a comfortable limit and stick to it.
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Do a Gift Exchange - You can do this with friends and family. Put names in a hat and everyone gets a name. Set a spending limit. This way everyone doesn't have to buy something for everyone, just one person.
* If You Have Children, have them donate old toys and clothing to your local homeless shelter or Goodwill - This will teach them that Christmas isn't just about getting but about giving too.
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Take Your Family to Feed Those in Need - This is free and a great way to teach your children a lesson about the true meaning of the holidays.
Even if you don't have a lot of money this time of year, you can make the holiday season special by focusing on it's true meaning.
