The sun hadn't set on Halloween, and, already, many retailers were putting up Christmas displays. It seems as though the frenzy surrounding Christmas shopping begins earlier and earlier every year. Although traditional gift-giving is a time-honored Christmas tradition, panicking because of rumors of potential delays in the supply chain of consumer goods coming from overseas is about as ridiculous as serving spoiled egg nog at your Christmas party. If you find yourself getting swept up in the fear of not being able to buy the most desirable gifts because you feel "not having" will ruin the holidays, maybe it’s time to rethink Christmas.
Christmas is not coming in on a barge. Christmas is founded on the spirit of giving that is within each of our hearts, in honor of a child who gave the ultimate gift to mankind. In a consumer society, being bombarded with advertising and social media posts, it’s easy to get preoccupied with shopping lists and fear of not getting everything on them, as if "gift giving" is a competition. Perhaps it’s time to shift the focus from FOMO (fear of missing out) and refocus on our abundance. What's more important: having the newest electronic devices, or sharing that with those who need it? If there's anything that recent years have taught us, it's that tomorrow is never promised. Stuff isn't as important as the memories we have that we create with those we love, and there are few things as memorable as serving the community with family. So, this Christmas: why not shift the focus to what you, as a family, can do for those in need, rather than checking off your gift list? No one is going to die if they do not get the new iPhone or Air Pods this Christmas! Christmas is Love. Look around you. There are many living in poverty here in our counties who need our help. A shift toward what we can give, rather on what we can get from retailers, will tap into the true meaning of Christmas. Charitable organizations need our help.
