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| From ICanHasCheezburger.com |
It's Thanksgiving eve which means pretty soon the Christmas season
will be officially here. Actually, I feel like it already is. Some of my
neighbors already have lights strewn about their patios
and obnoxious holiday songs are already being played over loud
speakers at the supermarket.
If you know me
well you know I hate Christmas. My head is pounding and my stomach is in knots
for much of the month of December. During the holiday season I am completely
stressed out and it's usually over money.
Every year I
threaten to "boycott Christmas." Don't get me wrong, I enjoy buying
gifts for my family and friends. I love the smiles the presents bring to their
faces. I especially enjoy giving gifts to my sweet husband. But to be honest we get carried away. You see since we don't have kids he showers me with gifts at
Christmastime. I'm spoiled rotten by him. And I feel he deserves to be spoiled
too. The result: we way too much money on each other every winter. My credit
debt balloons as does my number of migraines and stomach aches.
I also spend too
much money on myself, something I just recently realized. I am in no way a
shopaholic, in fact, I rather abhor the mall. But something comes over me on
Black Friday and I become one of those desperate people standing in a long line
in the rain outside of Target, one of those crazy chicks peering through the
doors of Victoria's Secret before the store opens trying to get a glimpse of
this year's free tote bag given to customers who spend at least $65. I shop and
shop because I feel like it's just plain silly to miss out on these great deals
when I call myself a frugal fashionista.
Then I'm sick with
shopper's remorse and just general disgust at myself for the next month.
I also have
trouble receiving gifts. If you give me three presents and I only have one to
offer you I will go to the bathroom and cry. (Yes, I know I probably need therapy for that.) And after I've dried my eyes I will
resolve that next year I will have FOUR gifts for you! And inevitably this will
only increase my credit card debt and my need for medication.
This year as I've
been reflecting on the many reasons to loathe this season, I've also been
reflecting on, well, stuff. For years I've been letting stuff ruin the holidays
and even my self-esteem. I've yearned for a nicer car, a bigger TV, and a fancier
apartment not because I truly wanted those things but because I thought others judged me because I didn't have them. And most likely they didn't even notice or
care or if they were judging me then they shouldn't be in my car or my home in
the first place because they're a jerk face.
I believe God has
me doing all this soul searching about stuff for a reason and I don't think
it's because the Creator is worried about me having happy holidays. (Let's
remember that Jesus didn't even ask us to celebrate his birthday.) I believe
God wants me to learn to be a good steward with my money so I will have more
freedom. Think about how so many of us are weighed down by our stuff. And I think God wants me to
use my resources on things that really matter.
Furthermore, I believe God wants me to learn
to measure my worth by who I am in Him, not by what I have in my bank account.
It’s time to make some changes. I have no idea what those changes
should be. I’m married so I can’t just sell everything I own and start from
scratch. I don’t think hubster would be too happy about that. But something
must be done.
In the meantime, remember not to buy me any gifts unless we’ve
decided on a price cap or I'll be having a nervous breakdown in your bathroom.
Have you read 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess? I think you might find it helpful. It has definitely inspired me to examine the "stuff" inmy life. The author is Jen Hatmaker.
ReplyDeleteI have not read this. Going to look it up now. Thanks for the tip, girl!
DeleteSomething you and your husband might want to do is find gifts that mean something or have special meaning to you, your past, your marriage, your relationship and not just checking off each other's wish list. Maybe even make a gift. Your husband LOVES music...make him a "mixed tape" expressing your feelings about your relationship. Something like a soundtrack of your love lol! Recreate a favorite moment of your shared history. Find ways to bless and give to him w/o spending. I think you both will enjoy it! *disclaimer, I am not married so I could be way off ;o)
ReplyDeleteNo, you're not off. But we do these things for each other all year. That's why we usually go all out and break out the expensive gifts around Christmas. But I like your idea. Thanks, C.
DeleteBoycotting sounds like a good idea to me
ReplyDeleteGifts is one of my primary love languages, so I feel you about gifts! We usually set a limit/budget and spend in cash, and that works for us.
ReplyDeleteSince you both like to "do it big" for Christmas and are kid free, how about planning a vacation for this time of year? That money you'd spend on gifts can go toward a remarkable experience you both can share in. I read a quote about that last year that really stuck with me: Spend money on experiences instead of things. :)
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ReplyDeleteMan can I relate.
ReplyDeleteAnd santa=satan
ReplyDelete