I realized something a few years ago. When my mind goes back to Christmas past, I don’t remember the presents. Actually. I couldn’t tell you who gave what to whom, even if my life depended on it. Instead, my memories take me to family gatherings, dear friends, Christmas activities, and traditions.
I don’t remember what toy or gadget Santa brought me when I was ten, but I do remember that the gifts were stacked wonderfully under a real eastern red cedar tree that my dad cut with his bare hands, and I remember walking around town in the seat Rear of an old green Oldsmobile Delta 88 staring at the Christmas lights and occasionally commenting, “Oh, look at that house! Wow!”
I don’t remember what my high school boyfriend gave me in twelfth grade, but I do remember several close friends and I went caroling all over town that year in the back of a truck.And we had a blast. I also remember that my family received dozens of Christmas cards and we taped them to a door so that we could admire them and vote for the most beautiful cards.
I make I remember some gifts from 2010, but they are greatly overshadowed by the happy memory of my mother-in-law, frail and living with dementia, who spent a day with us watching the animated movie “Up,” in front of a warm, inviting fire.
For years I have pondered the rampant commercialization of Christmas and other holidays. Somewhere along the way, we’ve all been brainwashed into thinking that Christmas isn’t Christmas without spending a small fortune on gifts. We have been bombarded with images of luxury vehicles parked in the driveway topped with giant arches and women opening little boxes that reveal sparkling diamonds. Retailers want us to believe that we can’t find joy in the season without giving and receiving lots of things.
I understand. It’s about profit. It’s about the economy. According to the National Retail Federation, the holiday season can account for 20 to 40 percent of a retailer’s annual sales. That’s a crazy big amount of change. In fact, if everyone chose not to buy Christmas gifts, the United States would probably plummet.
But for me, it turns my stomach to see retailers promoting the materialistic nature of Christmas so many weeks in advance. Last year, Christmas decorations were available in department stores before Halloween. That’s ridiculous.
I, for one, would like to see a Christmas revival where Christmas and the entire Christmas season are celebrated in a simpler way with more emphasis on meaning, love, charity, and companionship. I realize that it is a difficult task to accomplish, especially for families with young children. Anyway, I’d like to come up with some vacation ideas that don’t cost a lot of money but are loaded with value.
- READ A CHRISTMAS BOOK TO A CHILD. There are many great Christmas titles to share with the kids over the holidays. Find some at your local library or visit a bookstore and buy one or more. Practice reading, giving each character their own voice and pausing in places to add suspense. To consider The polar Express, ‘It was the night before christmas, The best Christmas contest of all time, From Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Christmas Story, gold Carl’s Christmas. And if you can’t read a book to a child in person, use your smartphone and record yourself reading the book. Post the video on YouTube or Facebook and provide the link to your nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and neighborhood kids.
- ORGANIZE A SNOWFLAKE CONTEST. First, select an impartial judge. Next, have each participant fold, cut, and unfold a sheet of white paper to make a unique snowflake. Display all the flakes on a table or in a large window and have the judge select a favorite. Announce the winner as “The Queen of Snowflakes 2014” or “The King of Snowflakes 2014”. Consider giving the winner a small prize.
- SKETCH THE FAMILY TREE. Family history and genealogy are always invaluable gifts for family members. On a large sheet of paper, put your name on the far left. Draw lines that branch to the right and write the names of your mother and father. Be sure to record full names, including maiden names, if you know them. Draw lines that extend to the right of the names of each of your parents and write the names of each of their parents. Go as far as you can remember. If you have the time and motivation, make a few phone calls or research your family at the library or online and add it to the tree. To add even more value to the tree, attach sheets that document details about certain family members. For example, you might write: “My grandfather, Henry Herman Lanier, was a farmer who lived and cultivated land east of Metter, Georgia. He also worked for the Fuller Brush Company and the railroad during his lifetime. He was a tall man who smoked at pipe. Daddy Lanier loved fishing and chocolate covered cherries, and he always had a bottle of whiskey hidden under the seat of the truck. “
- GO TO CHRISTMAS CAROLING. Make a few copies of six or seven Christmas carols. Get your group together and get some practice done. Then take a walk around the neighborhood or drive around town and stop at your friends’ houses to sing along and spread the joy. Again, if you can’t get out, grab a smartphone and make a Christmas carol video and post it to Facebook or YouTube.
- VISIT YOUR SICK AND ELDERLY FRIENDS AND FAMILIES. The gift of time beats anything you can buy. Take some time and go. Consider taking photos to share, a movie to watch, or other items that would stimulate conversations (ancient relics or souvenirs). Consider having a cup of coffee, an ice cream cone, or looking at Christmas decorations. If someone gets sick on vacation, consider bringing them a couple of cans of chicken noodle soup, some cough drops, and a box of tissues.
- GIVE HANDMADE GIFTS. Through the years, I have received wonderful homemade gifts from my mother. He has made pillows, blankets, pickles, jams, barbecue sauce, cakes, and pies. These gifts are more special than impersonal gift cards or money, and I’m glad you didn’t spend a fortune.
- GIVE A GUARDIAN OR AN INHERITANCE. Consider passing an heirloom and keepsake to a family member or friend. Do you have your great-grandmother’s apron? Or your dad’s pocket knife or fishing lure? Or a vase from Aunt Jenny’s house? Or the first book you read to yourself? It may be time to put one of your special possessions aside. And consider capturing the origin and history of your keepsake on paper for the recipient.
Popcorn string. Attend a church service together. Make hot chocolate from scratch. Find a live nativity scene in your community. Try making divinity or fudge. Volunteer at a local nonprofit organization. Ring the bell in front of a Salvation Army kettle. Feed the hungry. Buy a coat for a homeless child. Take a name from an angel tree and provide a toy to a child who is less fortunate. Learn to play a favorite Christmas song on the piano and surprise your guests. Tell your closest ones how much you love them.
Instead of overspending this year, consider participating in simple activities that enhance relationships and add meaning and memories to life. Think about it before you buy this year. It’s not really about the things!