Taking the commercialism out of Christmas.
Our family is slowly taking the commercialism out of Christmas. It is a process to break habits that we've had for years. This is our second year cutting down on all of the presents and focusing even more on family. Don't get me wrong, we've always enjoyed spending time together as a family. Our family time in the past, however, had been infiltrated with thousands of dollars of gifts around a tree.
There are so many families that are going deep into debt in order to have a "merry" Christmas. People are literally
There are so many families that are going deep into debt in order to have a "merry" Christmas. People are literally
charging gifts on credit cards only to be stuck still paying them off the following holiday season. We really need to stop the madness. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's bad to buy gifts. I'm saying it's bad to buy gifts that you can't afford and that thrust your family deeper and deeper into debt.
In times past we used to always hear sweet sayings like "Jesus is the reason for the season." Now, we hear about people sleeping on sidewalks in front of stores, and fighting each other, to purchase the latest trinkets. Wow, what is really going on?
Changing habits and traditions that you've had for years (and decades) may not be an overnight process. For my immediate family, we are slowly moving to minimize the money while enjoying each other. I just thought I'd share a few ideas on some ways to make Christmas "less" commercial:
1. If your reason for celebrating Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ, then you might want to at least mention Him throughout the holiday season. :-) This is an awesome opportunity to teach the children in the family about Jesus and the gift He is to the world. Like, you could share Luke 2: 10-11:
In times past we used to always hear sweet sayings like "Jesus is the reason for the season." Now, we hear about people sleeping on sidewalks in front of stores, and fighting each other, to purchase the latest trinkets. Wow, what is really going on?
Changing habits and traditions that you've had for years (and decades) may not be an overnight process. For my immediate family, we are slowly moving to minimize the money while enjoying each other. I just thought I'd share a few ideas on some ways to make Christmas "less" commercial:
1. If your reason for celebrating Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ, then you might want to at least mention Him throughout the holiday season. :-) This is an awesome opportunity to teach the children in the family about Jesus and the gift He is to the world. Like, you could share Luke 2: 10-11:
10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
2. If your reason for celebrating is to celebrate family, then make family the focus. You can focus on family by sharing kind words of encouragement (you know, like the stuff that you don't normally say to your family throughout the year :-)), lots of hugs and kisses, and things that reflect "family" like:
-A new years calendar with a different family photo for each month.
-A family tree printed on nice paper and placed in a lovely, matted frame.
-Old, "way back when" pictures of family pictures for some great laughs.
-Storytelling of interesting family history.
-A planning session for the next family reunion, or just a family get-together.
-Dreams and goals sharing. Share your aspirations and vow to support each other in the coming year.
-Family forgiveness. Have a put it in the past, let's hug and move the heck on, session followed by fun games.
-For the party family, all the eats, drinks, and be merrys, planned out so no one has to make a run to the store!
And if both of these are your reasons for celebrating the holidays, combine them both. Whatever your reason for celebrating Christmas, keep it your celebration and not a celebration of retail marketing influence.
I love you, thanks for being a part of Inspired Locs, and have a wonderful, fabulous, magnificent, merry Christmas, happy new year, and may God bless you!
Susan
-A new years calendar with a different family photo for each month.
-A family tree printed on nice paper and placed in a lovely, matted frame.
-Old, "way back when" pictures of family pictures for some great laughs.
-Storytelling of interesting family history.
-A planning session for the next family reunion, or just a family get-together.
-Dreams and goals sharing. Share your aspirations and vow to support each other in the coming year.
-Family forgiveness. Have a put it in the past, let's hug and move the heck on, session followed by fun games.
-For the party family, all the eats, drinks, and be merrys, planned out so no one has to make a run to the store!
And if both of these are your reasons for celebrating the holidays, combine them both. Whatever your reason for celebrating Christmas, keep it your celebration and not a celebration of retail marketing influence.
I love you, thanks for being a part of Inspired Locs, and have a wonderful, fabulous, magnificent, merry Christmas, happy new year, and may God bless you!
Susan
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