Do you think that slow economic times would make people think twice about writing and sending out their Christmas lists to family and friends?
When it comes to children, the answer is obvious. They are not aware of the economic situation, nor are they concerned about the global financial crisis. To them, Christmas is Christmas. That means it’s time to write down—not just tell—what they want from mom and dad, Santa, grandma, and all the other people they expect gifts from. And yes, children are smart enough to write their wish lists to ensure that the gift-giver doesn’t forget. Not only do they write it down, they write it well. Their list often looks like a spec sheet straight from a product catalog:
“I want: zoom lens for my camera. Should be AFS DX 55-200MM G by Nikon. Must have autofocus, maximum aperture f/4 to f/5.6, DSLR telephoto zoom. Available at XXX store, only $188.89.”
If you indulge them, they’ll keep adding to their lists until they run out of ideas. If you ever suggested to a kid, “How about we donate $100.00 to the orphanage instead of buying your gift?” they’d probably look at you as though you landed from Mars.
Christmas is for children, remember?
Are Christmas Lists Still Politically Correct?
There’s something about Christmas lists that tug at our hearts and minds… in the wrong way. It almost resembles narcissism, a total abandon of prudence and logic. Just because it’s an unshakeable tradition among some families to hand out wish lists doesn’t mean we can’t break away from tradition when the occasion calls for it.
Observing tradition religiously can hurt those with not-so-deep pockets during tough economic times. What usually happens when companies aren’t meeting sales goals or production quotas? They cut down on their operations, leading to downsizing. They eliminate excess inventory and personnel. The funny thing is, some of these companies take the axe to their operations right before the holidays, hoping to start fresh when the New Year rolls around.
So when a family member has recently been downsized or faced a major expense due to health problems, does it really make sense to continue with the tradition of Christmas lists?
Think about it. Who in their right mind would hand out a wish list to someone who has just applied for unemployment benefits? Or to someone whose child is sick and in need of treatments that will drain the family’s savings? Or to a single mother whose home has just been foreclosed upon?
Let’s return to the topic of children. Childhood, or the formative years, is the best time to make kids aware that money does not grow on trees. Their mindset must be tweaked so that they expect only one toy and not 15. If you visit a typical North American home on Christmas morning, how many toys do you think the average child has unwrapped?
Have you taken a peek at kids’ rooms and closets lately?
When children associate Christmas with toys, money, and other material possessions, they carry that image into adulthood. When late November or early December rolls around, we go into automatic mode with the words “gifts” and “shopping” in mind. We robotically head to the nearest mall and start buying.
Modify Christmas Lists to Reflect Need, Not Whim
If we had a say in the matter, we’d advocate for the banning of Christmas lists. But we’d probably be bombarded with insults and accused of asking, “Where’s your Christmas spirit?” Or be asked, “Are you trying to outdo Ebenezer Scrooge?”
If it’s a family tradition that can’t be broken, fine. But how about coming up with a reasonable list of your top two most desired items instead of the usual 10? And how about writing down reasonably-priced items instead of big-ticket items? We’ve seen lists with high-end espresso machines costing $1,200, fine jewelry priced at $2,000, and fur coats for $4,000. Does Christmas really mean all these things?
Didn’t Christmas originally stand for faith, hope, and charity—faith in people, hope for the world, and charity for the less fortunate?
Lest you think we’re preaching, this is just a friendly reminder that there’s a more meaningful side to Christmas that we tend to forget. It’s usually hidden behind the glitter, tinsel, and credit cards: love and tolerance.
If we can trim our Christmas tree, we can also trim our Christmas lists. We can cut back a bit so people don’t get that “broken” feeling in the New Year. Instead of an espresso machine, how about asking for a bag of gourmet coffee? Instead of jewelry, how about telling your child she’s the most precious jewel you have? Instead of a fur coat, how about a pair of sensible and sturdy mittens?
By making the clear distinction between need and want (whim), we reset our values so they’re more attuned and relevant to the present context. The vicious cycle of commercialism at Christmas begins at home. Teach kids that gifts are secondary. What counts most is health. In fact, this may sound absurd to some, but it might be a good idea to take our teenaged children to orphanages and hospitals to show them how fortunate they are.
And Our Christmas List Looks Like This…
What’s ours look like? Here’s a peek, and then you can create yours!
- That adult children will find the time to spend more quality time with their aging parents,
- That kids remain in school and have high hopes for their future so they don’t get lured into street gangs,
- That we develop a “poor” consciousness, meaning we think every time we pass a shop window about the people less fortunate than we are, whose main concern is where their next meal will come from,
- That politicians remember what they were elected for,
- That bogus investment firms don’t prey on vulnerable seniors,
- That families stay together so the moral fiber of society remains intact,
These wishes carry no price tag. What’s more, they can’t be bought at the store but come from our hearts.
Merry Christmas, folks!
