Taking Back The True Spirit of Giving



In thinking about my last post, I wondered if any of us are brave enough to this year as the packages are opened from under the tree to announce that next year we want to take back the true spirit of giving and of Christmas.
To make gifts meaningful, personal, and perhaps homemade, with a spending limit for everyone. To pledge no credit card spending, to wrap gifts simply, in the olden days, white tissue with a bit of ribbon was all that was used. These plainly wrapped white gifts gave a sense of purity to the holiday. Food perhaps can also be made more simple, cooking for the holiday itself and not the entire month before. It might be nice for the family to take on a project of helping a family in need, perhaps an elderly person that would fully grasp the heart of a kind deed done in the true spirit of giving.
Change starts with us, one step at a time. We can complain all we want but it avails nothing unless we replace our complaints with something positive, kind and goodly to make things better. You can't take away and not create an empty hole unless you fill the empty spot with something good.
Our very own reactions to the all the things in our lives serves as a teacher. Why are things not special to our children ? Maybe because they are not special to us either. We can ooohh and awww over hand knit mittens if our hearts are truly happy to receive them. We can discover the joy of pulling taffy together with our children, or the test of endurance needed to make a piece of candy last a week. We can refrain from buying everything we WANT and understand the difference in WANTING and true NEED. I have seen it over and over in the plain world. I remember my own children being thrilled with small gifts, or when heading off for a rare treat of french fries at McDonalds was something to get excited about. Not a super sized bag either, but each child happy to be holding a bag of small french fries. I know it can be done, this heading back to a more simple way. We did it. We were all better for it, but now we have slipped back into this gutta have mentality.
Take time on New Years day to maybe write a letter to loved ones, explaining you want to take back the old way of giving and receiving. Perhaps share a story from the good old days to help share the desire to stop the madness of excessive spending.
It always seems a bit strange when you get $25 from someone that you gave $25 to. Its as though the exchange has cancelled out each others giving.
I was thinking that it would be fun to make a box of simple things for everyone on my gift giving list, include a copy of the Little House Christmas Stories, and one simple gift. Wrap it up with plain wrapping, and call it A Little House Christmas present.
If something invaded my home, I would work to take it back... so why not work to take back the goodness, the true spirit of giving that has been stolen by materialism and greed.
I would love to hear from anyone that plans on making positive changes for Christmas 2008, and please share you ideas so we can all learn together.

Comments

MamaBugs said…
Patty,
I've been reading your blog for awhile now but I think this is the first time I have commented. First, your blog and photosgrpahs are stunning! Can I ask what type of camera you use?
Next ~ I can't wait to hear if people have some great ideas for this topic. I honestly believe DH, our girls and I could easily go to a Little House style Christmas BUT it is the extended family and friends that we struggle with. I have suggested, bluntly, numerous times, that we do things differently with NO success. I have suggested swaps, name drawing, only ornaments, just send cards, etc and it has not worked. Being military we hesitate to not participate as this is also one of the few ways we can stay involved/connected with loved ones back home.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MamaBugs
What a lovely post! Ours here are always simple holidays. Only the hubby and I too celebrate. We make a nice meal but nothing elaborate as we prefer simple, homey meals. We limit our gifts to one another to one or two little things that are needed or would be enjoyed and we love to pick a needy friend each year to make and send what we call a care package. Simply it is a few things that may be simple but will bring much joy. I wish we had the means to do it for all those we see that are needy. But you just have to do as much as you can. Christmas shouldn't be so expensive and stressful and doesn't have to be!
Anonymous said…
Patty,
I have struggled with this very thing since we were married 26 years ago. Over the years we have given small homemade gifts that we hoped would be appreciated, but weren't always. We have stopped regular gift-giving with the extended family and instead have agreed with each other that we will support a needy family in some way. In our immediate family, 4 children, one daughter-in-law we have decided to draw names with a gift limit of $35 or less. We started this last year and honestly it was so wonderful to receive one well thought out gift and be able to appreciate it not being buried in a pile of stuff. I do fill a small stocking for each family member (I can't help myself!) with some dried fruit, chocolate and a book. Some of the others contribute a small something to each stocking as well. We just love to be together, play some games, talk and of course eat. I am looking forward to a special, quiet family day on the 25th.
Blessings,
Ann
Edi said…
I love your idea of the Little House simple Christmas gift.

I tried something a bit different this yr for my side of the family...in years past we'd draw names and each family would end up buying for the amount of people in their own family...

We did that for yrs - I was tired of it - seemed kind of boring...and each year I was the one to get the ball rolling w/the family - also always asked if anyone wanted to change, any suggestions etc. NO.

So due to a change in one of the family's circumstances - and since it was mid yr and no one had mentioned anything about the Christmas exchange - including me...I just decided I'd do family gifts for each family. IF they wanted to do the same they could - but I didn't check it w/them ahead of time.

At the time - I was glad...now I'm feeling like maybe it wasn't enough...that they'll think I'm a cheapo or something. But it's too late to change now.

I'm not for forgetting everyone all together - but I do like the idea of somehow making the gifts more special...
Mimi said…
Patty,
this is a wonderful idea... we have scaled back our Christmas spending a great deal... but I am sure that we could cut back more...
My husband and I do not exchange gifts because when we need something is the time when we go get it... and we do not see the need to spend money just for the sake of getting a gift that is not needed at the time...and we always give our children things that they need...
I think you have a wonderful idea...
now it is the grand children that we need to cut back on!!!
that is what I will try to work on for next year!!
Merry Christmas,
mimi
Liisa said…
Thank you for this post and the previous one as well. So true! My husband and I were struggling this year with what to do as things get so out of control and lose meaning in all the trappings and shopping etc. However since my parents have moved away we are providing Christmas for my sister and her children and I wanted it to be the same as always for them and so ended up doing all the usual things. ~sigh~
Well next year we are going to make Christmas a simple time and I think it is a good idea to let everyone know that well in advance!

Thank you so much for your blog. You really inspire me.

Blessings,
Liisa
Niki said…
I think I will make definite plans to cut back more next year. We will, Lord willing, have our first grandchild, so that would be a good time to start a simpler Christmas tradition.
Beth said…
I enjoyed this blog and as a matter of fact, had decided earlier this year to take back the holiday. I made my decision after struggling to decide what to 'buy' my dad for Christmas last year. He could buy things he needed but I couldn't 'buy' something that truly expressed my love for him. This year, I've made gifts that hopefully will give the 'essence of me' when the recipient receives it. I dried flowers and ferns from summer hikes to put into a collage for members of my family with whom we've gone hiking. I've purchased a pair of skates for my son who loves to skate and so on. My kids aren't difficult - we've always given them adventures and if anything was purchased, it was a useful type of fun thing: art supplies, etc. I've made Christmasy pillowcases to put treats in for my niece and nephew and will wrap gifts for my brothers/sil in tea towels. We still have a long way to go but I just knew I couldn't deal with the anxiety another year of trying to figure out what to purchase. And I must say, that so far this year has been peaceful and happy for me. And a happy mom is a wonderful Christmas gift!
Beth
Lib said…
Hi Patty,
Some yrs. back we chose to make our Christmas Simple as well as everyday.
I make most every gift.And I buy yr. around. Here's some examples 1 Collects Angels so I make her angels, 1 Loves candles I buy candles .Most everyone collects something ,I take it from there and make something for their collection.Most has more than 1 collection so their not getting the same type gift yr. after yr.
I make homemade goodies, flavored cocoa, Friendship Tea and make a basket with a theme.
When I first started doing this I set aside 1 day per month (write it on your calendar) and craft that day.
If you go to my Post today the Roosters (Cermic) a freiend gave me last Christmas ,she bought them at a yard sale fine with me. I love them. Its a creamer and sugar bowl. The fun chicken my son gave me he won it,but its one of my Treasures. So it doesn't take alot of money for gift giving. I am Blessed with Family and Friends who is fine with a yard sale or junk store gift. I know thats not foreveryone.
Some of our friends and us don't exchange gifts we suggested we get together for fellowship , if its here we furnish Hot Flavored tea or Cocoa , everyone brings a dish of cookies or cake or pie.Some we get togeher for a meal everyone brings a cover dish. The Best gift of all is True Friendship and Fellowship:o)
We keep a change jar ,each time we buy and get change back it goes into a jar ,then to the bank for green money .That helps so much.
I wrap some gifts. I make cloth bags also ,they can be used over and over.
I notice here on t.v. Sears has an ad don't give just a gift Make a Wishcome true. I hear that and wonder how many falls into that trap.
DH &I don't aways buy for each other this yr. we bought a kids "RED WAGON"a gift to both of us .Its under the tree ,it was already put together. Some thinks its funny , we have used it alread when we grocery shop we pull it to the car put the groceries in it and pull them in. After a few time Dh told me This was a great idea. :o)It will be used for outdoor projects also.
By making and buying yr. around I've been finished with my gifts for months now. And theres no stress for us.
Another idea is an ornie exchange.
I grew up poor, at Christmas we hung old socks and when we woke up we had candy, fruits, and nuts in it.With 1 small wrapped gift. We Loved it and was happy and Thankful.
MAybe we can post thru out the yr.
ideas and everyone who really wants to make Christmas Simple can join in our fun.What you think?
I hope you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
Blessins', Lib
nancyr said…
I like to see how wonderful I can make a gift basket for under $25.00, and that has been a hit with family.
I choose a theme, buy my baskets on 1/2 price day at Goodwill, clean them and dry them in the sun, or paint them, and fill with something I know the family will enjoy.
This year I found a large rectangular basket, for $2.00 and put a new $20.00 electric griddle in it, along with a jar of homemade pancake mix, homemade peach syrup, and Christmas pancake forms for the children. The forms were purchased at Goodwill, but were new in the box, and cost a dollar. One is a stocking shape, one a sleigh, and one a Santa. This is something the entire family can enjoy.
I also have made "family fun night" baskets, with an inexpensive family movie or game, theater size boxes of candy, popcorn, and hot chocolate mix.
You don't have to spend a lot, and these gifts are fun for the entire family, and can be made very attractive.
A little imagination goes a long way in crating meaningful gifts.
Paula said…
Oh I am just LOVING your blog!!! I could spend all day here! YIKES! LOL!! I finished reading a small collection of Little House Christmases. My girls just loved the part about their own tin cup and making a piece of candy last (although Laura took bites instead of liking like Mary did). They also loved hearing about how they all worked and worked on gifts together for each other. And how Ma gave her Sunday best handkerchief not knowing that Laura and Mary had worked to make her a new one. :) You have encouraged me to find the whole collection now! :) I have no idea how to make Christmas more simple. But we are going to work all year on making the NEXT Christmas a much simpler one. I will be linking to this post tomorrow on my blog. I hope that is OK. Thank you for this post and thank you for your blog. :)
Ruth Ann said…
My husband and I went through some very lean times the first few years that we were married, so now we really splurge on Christmas and we love every minute of it. Christmas is not a time for just getting things that you need, it's a time for giving frivolities! We spend every penny we can get our hands on at Christmas and we have never regretted it one time. If our friends want to give us grand gifts, we love it. If the gifts are simple, we love them, too, if they are given from the heart. You have to be a very special person, indeed, to get one of the things we have made by hand. I love every minute of Christmas, but most especially, the giving of the very best gifts that I can afford. A very Merry Christmas to you all!

Ruth Ann, The Bag Lady
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com

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