My Holiday 2012 Gift Giving Guide

As soon as Halloween ends it starts, those endless ads and commercials promising that they have the “perfect gift”. Lexus and BMW would have you believe that it’s one of their $50,000+ cars. Best Buy’s singing sales associates claim to know what the perfect gift is for everyone, and that’s generally a pricey gadget. Computers, iPhones, Wiis and Playstations, they all claim they are the perfect gift. They’re all wrong. The perfect gift is something money simply can’t buy and yet is priceless. You see, they always talk about this season being the season of giving and it is, but commercialization has turned that giving into material things when what we should be giving is ourselves. Our time, our attention, our care, and our love.

This year, we’ll wake up to a Christmas morning with no gifts under the tree. Our stockings will be empty. My husband was laid off and we just don’t have the money. Every dime we have goes toward keeping a roof over our heads and the heat and lights on.  By the grace of God, we are surviving, and we have no complaints. We are truly and deeply blessed.

I know I just got through saying gifts aren’t what Christmas is about and it’s not. I believed that even in past years when we could afford to buy gifts. I love buying gifts for others, especially my husband. Not being able to buy gifts is really hard when it seems like every magazine and radio ad, TV commercial and song  is about gifts and Santa. It makes you feel like a real outcast. I guess we can thank the rabid commercialization of the holiday for that. It sends the message that if you really care about friends and family you must shower them with gifts, otherwise you are a “Scrooge”. I’ll be honest, it really hurts. We feel really bad about the fact we can’t give to others this year.

I’m not ashamed of our situation. I know we’re not alone. Millions of Americans are dealing with unemployment and financial issues. I’ve shared it with some friends. Some have been extremely supportive and caring, and some have completely ignored us and our situation. I have to tell you that hurt deeply. To pour your heart out about a painful and stressful situation only to be ignored is like a kick in the stomach. Those that took the time to listen and reach out to us gave us a gift we will never forget. You see, just the simple act of saying “I care”  is a priceless gift.

This season and throughout the year you hear a lot about helping those less fortunate-giving to charities, volunteering, etc, and those things are important. But look a little closer to home. Chances are you have  a friend or family member going through financial problems too, or struggling in another way, perhaps with an illness, relationship or job issue. Reach out to them. Tell them you care and you’re there to help. Never assume they “just know”. Take the time to tell them how much they mean to you and that you care.

Give them the gift of you and your time, concern, and love. That is the greatest gift, and one we just don’t give each other enough of.