Inexpensive Christmas

by Aleta Kay



Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the decorations, the baking, the celebration atmosphere. What I don’t like is all the commercialism. I’ve heard many others say the same thing. And yet...some people feel guilty if they don’t go into debt to make sure their kids get everything they want. They feel compelled to wear themselves out with shopping, decorating and baking. Breathe.

Christmas is about giving of yourself, not about things. Christmas is about being truly thankful to God for sending His only begotten Son to be born as a human baby so He could identify with our sufferings. He wanted to really understand how we feel and what we go through on this earth. The Bible says Jesus was tempted in all points just as we are, but He never gave in to temptation. He never sinned. That’s why He was able to take our punishment.

To have a truly meaningful Christmas, take your children to the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, a yard sale or a thrift store. Have them pick out a nice toy or article of clothing to give to someone less fortunate for Christmas. Even if you are one of those who is less fortunate, make some cookies or mini loaves of pumpkin bread or banana bread and give them as gifts to friends and neighbors.

The above mentioned dollar stores have inexpensive gift wrap, bags and cards. If you are creative, buy some colored pencils, markers or stamps and ink pad and decorate regular paper to wrap gifts in. You can let your children decorate plain paper to wrap gifts in. And although most adults want the paper to look perfect and be neat, the fact is it’s all going to get torn and thrown away anyway, so what difference does it make? Don’t be a perfectionist. Relax and enjoy the holiday. Don’t worry about what other people think. If they are that picky, that’s their problem. It doesn’t have to be yours.

Blessings to all.