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Giving means much more than just buying something in a store
By Michelle Ramirez
Trail Staff Writer
The holiday season is notorious for its reputation as an excuse for taking a second mortgage out on your home to pay for extravagant gifts. Credit card companies relish in the fact that Americans can’t resist testing the limits of their credit for the sake of the holidays. Granted, the money is usually being used to buy gifts for other people, but is there really such a thing as going overboard for Christmas?
Some would argue no, that it is the season of giving and a time of selfless spending. Everyone on their list is getting what they want and then some, even if they have to eat spam and fried bolognese for three weeks straight. Why pay the heating bill when you have an oven?
What is most disturbing is that companies and retailers usually try to manipulate consumers all the way from Black Friday to the after-the-holidays sales.
For two months, I have to listen to commercials that tell me the 2007 Jaguar XK8 would be the perfect gift this holiday season. Yeah, so would the Hope Diamond.
I always enjoyed buying gifts for my friends and family, but I think society as a whole has begun to take things a little too far in the name of Christmas. Giving doesn’t necessarily mean buying things for other people. Sometimes the most thoughtful gifts are the time and effort put forth by people to make the holiday season special for someone else.
Giving also doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get something in return. The whole premise behind giving is it is a selfless act. No one should ever feel bad for not getting a gift for someone who got him or her something or vice versa.
I have found the best gifts in second-hand stores and antique shops for a very small price. If you look hard enough, you can find small, inexpensive gifts that are usually special or significant to the person you are buying for.
Handmade gifts also show friends and family you aren’t just giving them a gift because that is what you do on Christmas.
If you are on a tight budget this Christmas and wish to give to family and friends, I suggest donating a little of your time to others. Something as simple as reading a story to younger siblings or helping your parents with Christmas dinner can be worth so much more than anything you could buy in a store.