8 December, 2004 1:31 PM
Does anyone else struggle to answer that question?
I struggle with it on a number of levels.
Firstly most of what I want costs a lot more than those who are asking have. Ok - I'm being honest now.
But secondly because I've always struggled a little with this whole giving and receiving of gifts thing at the end of each year. Whilst I'm not opposed to the idea of exchanging gifts I do find myself wondering how massive a thing it has become to so many.
Has a gift at Christmas become more of a right or an expectation than what it should be.
My dictionary defines 'Gift' as:
'Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.'
I wonder if the way we give 'gifts' these days is actually true to this definition on two counts.
1. Voluntary - has gift giving become a mandatory act? How many gifts given this holiday period are given because we want to give - or out of fear of what will happen if we don't give them.
2. Without Compensation - do we give 'gifts' because others are giving us gifts? I wonder if there is some unspoken expectation these days that if someone gives you something there must be a returning of the favor. How many dashes will be made to the convenience store on Christmas Day this year because of gifts unexpectedly being given by people you hadn't bought for?
Maybe the Dictionary needs to make a few amendments to their definition - or maybe we need to have a bit of a think about what 'gifts' really are.
PS - I wonder if I've just talked myself out of a few gifts this year
PSS: a few extra 'Christmas Links':
Digital Camera Christmas Gift Ideas
Comments
Page:
I want one of those new Blackberry 7100t's. That little thing is awesome.
And yeah I do expect gifts in return unless it's somebody really really special that I gave the gift to in the first place.
rhoward » 9 December, 2004 12:17 PM
I was asking my 12 year old son what he wanted for Christmas yesterday and found this page on the computer today. He must have type this in on a google search and this would explain why he told my husband and I that he did not care what we got him, because Christmas really shouldn't be about getting gifts, it should be about remembering Jesus. Out of the mouths of Babes, huh? Mind you we are getting him the palm pilot he picked out and a bunch of video games, but he deserves them, and the fact that he is not expecting anything makes the giving even more special!
Day Ann » 10 December, 2004 10:46 AM
Was thinking about it, and I actually don't mind if I don't get anything this year. I'm having loads of fun giving! Just about everything going out is home-made, with time and effort as part of the gifts.
I do have a wishlist, but it's stuff I can't afford, and it's likely no-one else would too! :) Included on my list are such diverse items as a drill, orbital sander, electric saw, stone birdbath, blender and apron! But I'll settle for a toe-ring.
Michelle » 10 December, 2004 6:47 PM
What I normally do (for Christmas, birthdays etc) is just buy a present if I think of or come across something that I think they would like or could make good use out of. If I don't think of something, I usuallyu don't get them a presenet. If it's someone I really want to gte a present, then I'll just wait until something comes to mind, which might mean giving it to them after the occassion.
Christop » 11 December, 2004 4:44 AM
Thats a pretty good approach actually Chris, I can dig it.
Digger » 11 December, 2004 1:45 PM
I believe that Christmas has become a day on the commerical calender. As I work at Coles, Christmas for me began on the 1st of November, placing the stock for people to buy.
In fact it has been estimated that Australians will spend $6 Billion on Christmas gifts this year!!!
I am in the same boat as you. Most of the things that I want are very expensive. So I ask that people donate money to my sponsor child.
Michael » 11 December, 2004 4:32 PM
Top 5 for you this week mate
ande » 15 December, 2004 12:26 AM
I'm starting to hate christmas! All i seem to have heard the past month is what do you want for christmas? what do you want for christmas? what do you want for christmas? Every teenager wants videogames but i'm to self-contience to tell people what i want. I don't want people showering me with meaningless gifts. For instance: if someone gives me a racing game i want them to play it with me; and the type of people who are willing to get me such gifts i only see once a year, at Christmas. I don't know about you but that makes me feel guilty. In that case i'd rather have macaroni art seeing as how they took the time to make it and thought about me as they did so. Maybe i'm the only one who feels like this? Are all the other kids in america selfish brats? Am i too worried about my feelings? Someone tell me something!
tilley » 16 December, 2004 10:42 AM
I've just posted on the same subject about my frustration of being asked what I want for Christmas. I end up sending people to World Vision's alternative gift catalogue and tell them to buy me a mosquito net or a sheep!
Someone must be posting on emerging church, mission, justice, and Christmas....
(I just tried to put a link in here to the catalogue, but I guess it doesn't allow it? Sorry - I'm just starting to get into blogging.)
keith » 16 December, 2004 11:08 AM
>>>How many gifts given this holiday period are given ... out of fear of what will happen if we don't give them.
In my case, almost ALL of them! I hate this about Christmas! I really, really hate it that every family member will give me something I don't need, and I will (almost certainly) give them something they don't want. The name of Christ to them at this season means "obligation"! The only ones I can meaningfully give gifts to are my sister and her husband - I try to give them something which reflects the love of Christ we share. For my husband I just try to get something he will like. For everyone else, I get something because I have to.
I have seriously considered not giving presents at Christmas, but I know they will all get me something, which means that I am obligated not to make Christians look "cheap". I have used the TEAR catalogue the last few years, making the presents smaller and smaller to "wean" everyone off their present addiction! The most ridiculous part of the whole thing is that the youngest child in the family is 16, the next youngest 27! By that age I think you should just buy something if you want it.
What do you all think about buying presents for yourselves? Ever since I became a Christian (in my 20's) I have bought myself something for Christmas which will help me to grow in Christ in the year ahead. I really wanted my Christmases to be different after becoming a Christian, and I knew no-one else would get me anything which would be about spiritual growth (my sister became a Christian some years later).
This year I am getting myself "A Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian McLaren - I can't wait to read it! I will be good, and wait until after Christmas though...
Elizabby
elizabby » 16 December, 2004 7:41 PM
Christmas has become something just getting presents, which is really selfish. The true meaning of Christmas has gone down the drain.
Kids expect things and I'm showered with people asking me what I want for Christmas. My reply is "Spend the money on someone else...I have all I could ever want." Even though this isn't the truth, I would rather people give out of the goodness of their hearts than out of a feeling of mandate...
D » 17 December, 2004 7:56 AM
> Firstly most of what I want costs
> a lot more than those who are
> asking have.
Ugh... The story of my life. :)
timsamoff » 9 December, 2004 5:34 AM