Christmas Giving
simplest of gift giving philosophies
Start a Christmas Tradition - Want, Need, Wear, Read & Give
Stick to the basics regarding gift giving. What is Christmas REALLY about? This Gift Giving Philosophy really focuses on the meaning of the Christmas season:
- something they WANT
- something they NEED
- something to WEAR
- something to READ
This idea both focuses gift buying/making as well as limits the (often excessive) number of gifts kids receive when the holidays roll around. It's an opportunity to make the giving and receiving more meaningful, and help you stick to a budget.
I would add one more thing to this - and that is GIVE. Consider giving to a charity, the charity of your choice. There are literally thousands to choose from, but in the spirit of Christmas, consider giving to those in need. For our family, we choose KIVA, which allows us to bless a family somewhere in the world through microfinancing a project. If you would like to find a charity to donate to, use a site like Charity Navigator to help you evaluate and learn more about worthwhile organizations.
Why do we even give gifts at Christmas?
Ultimately, a common Christmas culture developed in which gifts were given on Christmas. In the nineteenth century, the idea of gift giving took on new dimensions, as the works of O. Henry, Charles Dickens, and Thomas Nast all helped to shape our concepts of Santa Claus and other aspects of the holiday. Today, we all give gifts at Christmas for our own reasons. For some, it is a way to celebrate the Christian holy day. For others, it is a special time to let family and friends know that you care by giving gifts. At times, giving gifts at Christmas becomes almost mechanical, and a chore; when this happens, it is worth stepping aside for a few moments to consider why exactly you give gifts at Christmas.