In late October, lots of Christmas goodies were appearing on the shelves of my local supermarket. When I remarked on this to a fellow shopper she said, “Don’t use the ‘C’ word. I’m worried about having enough money to buy presents for my kids. My credit card will ‘max out’ – yet again. The stress at Christmas really affects my health.”
Apparently many parents share the same feelings as that mother. A consumer credit counselling service reports that “eight out of ten people say financial difficulties are having a negative effect on their lives, jeopardizing their personal relationships, health and ability to carry out their jobs”. With that in mind, perhaps it’s time to have a worry-free Christmas – one that’s good for your health. It would seem entirely possible to be a relaxed, happy, healthy giver and spender – to enjoy the festive season with one’s family and friends.
Be an inspired giver
Inspiration could be described as a burst of creative thinking. It’s the “Aha moment” that can help you come up with practical, stress-reducing ideas for Christmas spending. It can also lead to the moment when you’re rescued from worrying about finances and gift-giving.
One early December morning, I woke-up totally stressed out over Christmas shopping. A fresh approach – a new attitude to gift-buying was needed. I spent some moments in calm contemplation. Then, with pen in hand, I waited patiently for a flash of inspiration. Ideas flowed. Looking at what I’d written down, I felt mentally energized. I was able to happily gift shop, and I’ve continued to do so.
TIP:
● Spend some quiet time getting inspired about what to buy for family members.
● Think more about individual likes and needs before rushing to the stores, or hitting the computer button.
● Put more thought into gift-selection, rather than relying on impulse-buying.
● Stay calm, serene.
● Don’t feel pressured to get the shopping done.
Give from the heart – not just from the wallet.
An inspired gift doesn’t have to cost “big bucks”. It’s not the price tag that denotes a truly worthy present. Giving something special to the person you care about, should be the result of loving thoughtfulness – not simply spending lots of cash.
My grandmother and her siblings used to receive an orange for Christmas. This may seem unusual. Yet, if you celebrated Christmas in the wintry depths of Scotland, as they did, a summer orange would actually be a very special treat.
TIP:
● Give from the heart. Be prompted by good motives.
● Take the time to purchase a meaningful and thoughtful gift.
● Don’t be competitive and think you have to buy the biggest or most expensive present.
● Don’t get something just to impress your kids or loved-ones. It’s the “love-factor” that’s significant – not how much you spend.
Be love-motivated
For many people, this time of year is traditionally considered to be about love, peace and good will to men. This could be why many families place love at the top of their Christmas wish-list.
From the youngest to the oldest person in a community, there’s a yearning for that tender expression of heart-felt love which Christmas often inspires in people. Such love is more than words on a card. It’s the active, caring kind that can ultimately lead to a love-filled, happy Christmas.
TIP:
● Spend extra time with your kids, or those you love.
● Show someone you care. Cook a meal, offer to do gardening, or run an errand.
● Resist being stressed out or financially burdened-down with preparations for the festive season.
● Be an unhurried friend, unharried shopper, unruffled neighbour, and an unflustered family member.
● Remember, it’s possible to be worry-free, and to stay healthy and well this Christmas.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Clive says
What a refreshing attitudinal approach to Christmas preparations! When Christmas-time is considered from the standpoint of heart-felt giving to others, it’s made so much more enjoyable and worry-free. How can anyone feel pressured or stressed out when shopping for gifts if the gift-giving comes from the heart and is truly based upon unselfish motives? As that well-known saying puts it: “It’s the thought that counts”. Let’s all look forward to a peaceful and joy-filled Christmas season. That’s definitely good for our health.
Beverly Goldsmith says
Thank You Clive for your comment. Giving from the heart certainly makes Christmas gift-giving a joyous occasion rather than a burden. It is a time for expressing love and gratitude to others. Have a good Christmas season yourself.
Robin says
I have found it really useful to make a pledge that as much as possible I will give an experience instead of another toy to my grandchildren. So we have been to the Cirque du Soleil together, for instance. Then I get the fun of being part of the experience. More recently, I gave a zoo annual membership to my son and his wife. Now they can take my one year old grandson for a joyous outing to any of the three zoos, any time they like.
It is good to show children that we don’t need to accumulate a lot of possessions in order to be happy.
Beverly Goldsmith says
Thank you so much Robin for your comment and for sharing your great ideas for Christmas gift-giving. Inspiration and love pave the way for a gift that is special and meaningful. Well done.
Josh says
Thanks Beverly, nice to be reminded that it’s all about peace, love and goodwill towards everyone rather than about buying stuff. Peace to all 🙂
Beverly Goldsmith says
Thank you Josh for your comment. Yes, I agree that Christmas is about peace, love and goodwill. Giving an inspired gift from the heart can be one way to express such love and goodwill. Have a peace-filled Christmas.
Pauline Rita Noorts says
Yes, Yes, Yes to all the good ideas shared I began years ago in giving a subscription to the Australian Tennis Magazine to a relative who plays tennis, renewing it every year and they pass it onto friends, when we are lead by the spirit we do everything better, Love to all have a joy filled Christmas.
Beverly Goldsmith says
Thank you Pauline for your comment. Another good idea for thoughtful gift-giving. Best part of your gift is that your subscription was born of inspiration and given with love for your relative. Good job. You have a wonderful Christmas too.
Wendy says
Beverly thank you for your timely reminder. I give gardening as a Christmas present to one branch of my family. It works so well. We all get out into their garden for a day or more, we all have fun, laugh a lot, and the day ends with a wonderful creative result. I don’t think any of us would change it. There really isn’t a material gift which could be substituted for this joy.
Beverly Goldsmith says
Thank you Wendy for your comment. That is a splendid Christmas idea to garden with the family. It sounds like a joyous family day. After all Christmas is about love and joy. That surely makes for good health.
Lorraine says
Thank you for this timely reminder. I know that the most apprecated gifts have been the ones I have sat and thought about the person, – thinking about them and their lovely qualities and then leaving my thought open, a useful idea has just popped in. Makes for easy shopping when you know what to purchase or make.
Beverly Goldsmith says
Thank you Lorraine for your comment. Well done on pausing and thinking about your gift recipient in that way. Waiting for inspiration opens the door for ideas to flow – as you’ve found. Removing the stress at Christmas is surely good for ones’ health.