Each year in this country, Americans spend around $4.5 billion dollars during Christmas. I said billion -- with a B. That's a household average of $900 per person.
For most, Christmas mornings are highly anticipated moments filled with the sounds of paper crackling and tearing, the visions of radiant, expectant smiles on the faces of those you love, and the feeling of closeness and family as you all surround the perfectly ornate Christmas tree. There is just something about holding that gift in your hands -- the one with your name on it. It's an honor, and we are grateful to know that someone thinks enough of us to give us a gift -- except when that gift is socks and underwear. No one appreciates socks and underwear.
Still, for some, Christmas is the ultimate stressor. The shopping -- especially the last-minute variety, searching for the best deal, praying for the prompt delivery of gifts purchased online, the PARKING! Oh, what nightmares.
And let's not forget about the financial strain that burdens most of us around Christmastime. Countless scores of holiday shoppers use their credit cards or take out loans to cover expenses, incurring debt that will take most of them months, if not years, to pay off. If you're shopping on a budget, then it's just not possible to get everyone everything they want. Determining the perfect gift is a dilemma in itself.
Budgeting for Christmas is hardly a walk in the park anyway. I have done the comprehensive math for my family, and I found that two incomes divided by four children plus wish lists multiplied by expectations raised to the power of keeping up with the Joneses equals $0.
I began to wonder what would come of our society if we continue along this path. What kind of culture are we helping to promote? Once Christmas break is over, children will head back to school eagerly waiting to ask and be asked that inevitable question: "What did you get for Christmas?" Ironically, the anticipation of that inquiry fills some with joy and pride --but others with anguish and melancholy.
Unfortunately, there are far too many who may not receive an opportunity to hear the joyous sounds of their children opening presents or see their faces light up when they realize that they got the toy or pair of boots that they wanted. It's a sad truth that many of us have the luxury of ignoring.
What if we choose not to forget about it? What if, instead of buying the newest gadget, latest toy, or that hottest fashion item to give (which will be broken, forgotten about or under appreciated anyway), we donated the money we would spend on meaningless gifts to charitable outreach? Then again, why stop at just donating money? How about we donate our time, talents, efforts, prayers and support directly to the people who need it most? There's far more reward in giving than in receiving. And there are many ways to do just that.
A list I found at www.allprodads.com gives a few great ideas.
• Export Christmas: Take Christmas to the fire station or to the ER staff at the hospital, bringing treats and heartfelt thanks.
• Invite someone to Christmas dinner: Loneliness is a common feeling around the holidays. Do your part to make sure no one you know spends the holidays in solitude.
• Give to impoverished children: There are many opportunities to make sure impoverished children have something on Christmas morning. (Donate to shoebox ministries, Shop with a Cop programs, and Angel Tree.)
• Care for the orphaned and elderly: Visit children's homes and nursing homes, spending time with people to give them love and hope.
• Be a Secret Santa: Seek out a person or family who needs help this season. Determine their needs and provide help without them know where it came from.
• Serve the homeless: Involve the family in helping to feed and provide services for the homeless. Give freely and without judgment.
It's abundantly clear that we recognize the commercialization of Christmas has gotten out of hand, but how and when will we do something about it -- something that makes a difference in the future? Although it won't happen without sacrifice, it sure would be lovely to wake up in a world where people aren't asked what they got for Christmas but, rather, what they gave.
For imagining we could live in such a benevolent world, some might say that I'm a dreamer.
Well, I'm not the only one.
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Robert Honeycutt is the office manager at The Weekly Vista. His email address is [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 12/14/2016