Christmas Shopping
My wife and I have always set a very clear budget for Christmas. Our 4 boys know they will not be getting gifts beyond our means. I doubt we’ve ever spent over $100 per child. When times were tougher we didn’t spend more than $50 per child. If Santa can’t pay his light bill he certainly isn’t buying a golf cart, four wheeler, or new flat screen television.
I don’t mention this to judge anyone that does buy these things. If you can afford to get whatever you want go right ahead. But, most of us can’t truly afford to go crazy with our shopping. I know way too many people that spend all year trying to payoff Christmas debt. Many of those folks act as if they have no choice. They feel they have to buy their kids whatever they want.
Please! Don’t fall for the peer pressure around you that only leads to increased stress. Determine what you can afford this Christmas and stick to that amount. Our kids need to learn that money doesn’t grow on trees. That they can’t always get what they want in this life. That the greatest gifts don’t cost us a dime. In fact, the greatest gift of all laid in a manger and died on a cross for our salvation.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Pastor Craig Crosby 
Amen! Enough with the gifts thing frenzy. I see so many people running everywhere to get the perfect gift, for everyone. Wow. Is this what Christmas is about, really ? Spending time together, sharing a great meal, going to the midnight mass together and singing and praying, don’t those bring a warmer, and stronger feeling to the heart of a child when it grows up and remembers those times? Will he really remember the eleven hundredth toy he received ? I wonder. Thanks for the reminder 😉
LikeLike