10 Tips for Taking Back Christmas
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Somewhere around the end of November, you start hearing holiday greetings. Whether it’s merry Christmas or happy holidays, people see the season as a time of Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward men. Unfortunately, a lot of people also see the as a time of spend, spend, spend.
It gets to the point where “Christmas is too commercialized” sounds like a seasonal greetings. Ironically, the same people who complain about the commercialization of Christmas often brag of the amount they spend on gifts
If you find you are getting caught up in spending too much and want to change your focus this Christmas, here are 10 simple things you can do to “take back”the holiday.
- Make it yourself. If you have a hobby or skill you have developed over time, turn it into gifts. Not only will be appreciate the personal touch, but often the quality of home-made goods exceeds those that are mass produced. Whether knitting or baking or woodworking, there are loads of ways you can create gifts.
- Appreciate the gifts your children make. Get an early start on instilling the true value of the season. Let them learn from your example. Treat the gifts they make with excitement so they don’t feel homemade is a second-rate gift idea.
- Connect with family and friends. Make time for those you have avoided or neglected throughout the year.
- Be a cheerful recipient. If your sister-in-law insists on cooking Christmas dinner; accept and say thank you. Christmas should not be a “me” time.
- Entertain neighbours and workmates, etc. We feel obligated to buy gifts for people we rarely connect with through the year. This year, invite them over for dinner; organise a potluck supper; have a casual party.
- Speak up for the values of Christmas. Wish others a merry Christmas and peace on earth and do it sincerely.
- Donate to a charity in someone’s name. Instead of buying a gift, give that money where it is needed.
- Make gifts and care packages for those in need. Seniors, street people, those in hospital and many more could use something special at this time of year.
- Watch classic Christmas movies and television. Scrooge, A Charlie Brown Christmas and many others reinforce what Christmas is all about.
- Take some quiet time. Make Advent a season of preparation: mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Don’t cram your Calendar so full that you have no time for reflection.
Christmas is only as commercial as you make it. You choose what Christmas means to you. If you want, you can take back Christmas.
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I think receiving hand made gifts are great. To think that someone went to all that effort to make a personal gift just for you gives a wonderful feeling.
If you aren’t that great at making things by hand, then you can buy a gift and have it personalized with an engraving or something to make it that bit more special.