Yes December is here – which means every shop has long been decked out with their Christmas paraphernalia and is repeatedly playing the two Christmas CDs it possesses. And almost everything that the shop is selling has artificial snow on it.
You can probably tell already that I’m not the world’s greatest fan of shopping (unless it’s for something technological, when I could browse for hours), and so Christmas shopping isn’t going to be my favourite pastime. About the only time I really enjoyed Christmas shopping was many years ago when we used to be given half a day off by school to do ours! (Or did I dream this – I can’t imagine schools giving half days off for Christmas shopping now! Anyone else have the same experience?) Fortunately, I’m busy enough with work that I have plenty of excuse to avoid all trips to the shops for at least the next week and a half.
However, Christmas shopping presents me with a dilemma. On one hand, I’m all in favour of generousity. Giving someone a gift for Christmas, particularly a well thought out one, is one of the easier ways in British culture to show your appreciation and love for them. It’s nice to have the opportunity to be generous and give.
But on the other hand, there are not that many things that I really need, and so many of the presents given to us can in reality be just a waste of someone’s money, and a waste of this world’s resources. And when we get lots of them they just clutter up our lives, and cause us a headache in trying to find somewhere to put them. One option is to give money, which you can put together to buy something useful that you really want – but it’s a bit boring.
So what’s the solution? Well one option is to buy a goat! (See www.farmfriends.org.uk or http://shop.christianaid.org.uk/icat/farming for example, if this seems crazy to you) – you help someone who really needs a present, don’t clutter up your house, and you can also treasure a photo / model of your goat for the rest of your life!
Any other thoughts?
Lloyd about life 
I agree completely! One option I have gone for is to restrict the number of recipients. I have seven siblings; they are now generating what feels like an exponential number of children. My nephews and nieces this Christmas can expect to get seven presents alone just from their aunts and uncles, let alone from grandparents and the other side of the family. In my opinion, that’s just too many toys. So I’ve decided to give presents just to my immediate family (at least that isn’t going to grow) N&Ns don’t get anything, and couples just get one between them. That’s a bit more manageable….
I agree. In fact, our family gave up gift exchanging for all but a single gift. Our family celebrations include a drawing for which you can trade it for one previously opened, or another un opened gift. Up to three trades.
We have found the game very fun and draws us all closer. The children of course get some gifts but over time we taper off till they are less expectant.
We of course always read the Christmas Story from the Bible at dinner. Great post.
I like your blog & your Christian Worldview…
I’m trying the same with my blog with humor
as the hook.
Merry Christmas,
Dr. Howdy