Quitting Christmas
As another Christmas season comes to an end, it’s hard to pull this one out of the bag but I believe it's time. As always, I’ve enjoyed my time with family and have soaked up all the love passed around during our celebrations…but after this year, I’m quitting Christmas. Not all of it. Just the gift-giving part. I will no longer be making a list and checking it twice. I’ve slowly moved toward this reality with each passing year. I would say things like “I’m boycotting Christmas” or would try to come up with a new way of giving that made more sense.
I’ve landed here by way of cumulative experiences…working retail for 11 years, spending extensive amounts of money, last-minute shopping, stress trying to find the perfect gift. It just doesn’t make sense anymore. As Americans, we’ve been pushed into this idea that we have to buy gifts for every person in our life, fill up all the stockings, decorate the house, trim the tree, bake and bake and cook and fulfill numerous social obligations. We equip ourselves with “How To’s” on surviving Christmas and Keeping a Budget instead of questioning the tide of society we live in and just saying NO.
For the most part, I’ve cut out buying for people outside of my immediate family but usually feel guilty about doing so. This year, I’m forcing myself to get over the guilt, articulate my feelings as best as I can, and publicize my decision to hold myself accountable for next year.
In years past, I would cling to Advent devotionals as a way of grounding myself during the holiday season. I found this to be extremely helpful but still found tension when it came to buying gifts. It’s possible I feel this way because I’m a bit of a perfectionist and a people pleaser. I want the gift to mean something or be sweet and surprising. Otherwise, it all becomes rather obligatory as we collect lists and cross off gifts.
If you find that giving gifts during the holiday season brings you joy, then please do so with fervor. But for me, I cannot do it anymore. Giving gifts does indeed bring me joy but I need the process to be more simple; the expense to be less. If I find something along the way toward the Christmas season that makes me think of someone, I may buy it. If I know of a need and can fill that need with a gift, it may happen. Bottom line: no more pressure.
Many people have been incredibly generous this year (and every year) and I am always so grateful for the items I receive during Christmas. But I can't help think that there are so many others in the world who need something more than I do. As I walk into this proclamation for 2017, I’m not quite sure how it will all play out. New people are becoming a part of my life and the exchange of gifts may look different next year. I just know that I need to take even more of a step back and hit reset on this American tradition.