Boundaries Make For Better Holidays- Part 5
One of my favorite holiday memories is the year that my husband Paul, my step-sons Josh and AJ and I decided that in lieu of store bought gifts we would make gifts for each other and give the money we would have spent on regular gifts to someone who really needed it. We found out about a woman who worked with the boys, who had several small children and was living in a motel not sure how she was going to make ends meet. We gave an envelope with the money that we would have spent on each other to their manager and asked him to give it to her but not share with her where it came from.
Then we opened our home-made gifts Christmas morning. They were very unique and entertaining. We had more fun and laughed more that year than we ever had before. I have to say those were some of my favorite gifts.
With this in mind I share my next tip...
Be Creative and Meaningful
* If you have kids have them make gifts for everyone. Then make gifts for each other. Last year my husband Paul gave me a binder with our picture on the front that said The "Real" 2006 Calendar. He created monthly calendars with our pictures on them and fun little sayings by some of the important dates such as our anniversary and birthdays. He added some just for fun days too, like date night Friday's and put funny sayings on other dates. He even added the birthday's of our 3 dogs to the calendar with their pictures. It was the best gift!
* Give from the heart not from the pocketbook. We can all overextend ourselves financially during the holidays, the question is why? Because we want to keep up with Cousin Mary who likes to buy extravagant gifts or we feel if neighbor Mike bought us 2 gifts last year we should have 3 for him this year. Doing this turns the spirit of giving into a one-upping contest.
* Give to a charity. Every year my Mom and Aunt ask me what I want for Christmas. Every year I tell them that I want them to give whatever money they would have spent on a gift for me to a charity. Every year this makes them annoyed because we have been told by advertisers that the season is all about giving that new gadget or sweater. However, as annoyed as people might get, the reality is when I think about it, there is not one thing that I really need in my life; not one more piece of clothing, knick-knack for my shelf, picture for my wall, etc. There are, however; many hungry people in the world, there are many wonderful ministries that need funding and many families that need help. Find a local charity and donate to them, they need your funding more than most of us need another sweater or music CD.
Finding meaningful ways to give to others is also a gift you can give to yourself.
Have a wonderful day and remember whatever you choose to do today, do it with a SMILE!
Wishing you patience, love and compassion,
Sue Salach
Author
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