Christmas will be here very soon. The true purpose of this holiday is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, combining the exchanging of gifts as part of that celebration with the skills and talents of retail marketers has turned the entire season into one big shopping for bargains experience. It starts with “Black Friday” the day after Thanksgiving, continues with “Cyber Monday” the Monday after Thanksgiving, and keeps going through the “shop until midnight” Christmas Eve events. It can be a whirlwind that distorts the meaning of Christmas.
Here’s another perspective. If you’re like me and haven’t completed your Christmas shopping yet, let me offer a couple of suggestions.
Support local businesses by giving gift certificates for meals, oil changes, massages, tax advice, snow removal, clothing, hardware, house cleaning, groceries or anything else that would be appropriate for the ones you love and care about. This approach will give your loved ones the opportunity to decide on something that’s important to them while adding to the revenue of local businesses in a down economy.
Put a food and gift basket together to support local folks who are having a tough time right now. Send something to the brave men and women who are in unfamiliar territory away from home and family protecting our freedoms. These acts will give you a warm feeling that’s better than any gift you could ever receive.
How about giving something that is often much more important and valuable than your money – your time. Visit the sick and the lonely. Serve meals at a shelter. Repair someone’s plumbing. Paint their front door or their living room. These giving acts will also give you a warm feeling that’s far better than any gift you could ever receive.
In the end it’s your choice. Celebrate the holiday in a way that’s meaningful for you. And – remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Posted on December 12, 2011
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