“Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?”
If you have not been asked this question, just get ready, because it is coming if you celebrate Christmas.
I have noticed that many people are ready to squash the bitter tone of this year’s election and move on (at least temporarily) to the fun of the holidays. With Thanksgiving behind us, people have turned their attention toward planning for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Many of us who are part of the Christian faith understand that the root of the term “Christmas” is the name “Christ” and that the holiday is about celebrating his birth, not the gifts. In a spiritual sense for us, he is the greatest gift.
However, every year tens of millions of Americans scramble to find the “right gifts” for their loved ones. Many of us are willing to overspend, search crowded stores and fight over “limited edition” merchandise in order to secure the “right gift.”
In 2015, holiday sales grew to $626.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.
Some shoppers are early birds who get everything done as early as Black Friday, while others wait to the last minute and find themselves choosing leftovers on messy shelves the night before Christmas.
Here is something to think about if you are having stress over what to buy: Have you considered that the “right gift” is actually you?
You are probably what the people in your life actually want this Christmas. In other words, they would appreciate having some of your time, your attention and your love. You are the greatest gift.
Most hours of the day can be consumed making a living and solving problems. At the end of some days, there may not be much time or energy left to call, visit or spend quality moments with loved ones.
This can cause marriages, romantic partnerships, friendships and family ties to suffer.
Now is a good time to make all of those relationships in our lives stronger. Giving the people we care about our time during the holidays is an awesome place to start.
Instead of just sending a gift to that distant sibling, family member or friend, why not pick up the phone and call them? Instead of just hunting for the routine gift for your significant other, why not also set up an unforgettable holiday-themed date with elements that you know they would love?
Just think of how much you could brighten the day of your coworkers by bringing some surprises to the workplace, even if they are small gifts. Another good way to be a workplace Santa is to quietly take care of a task for a coworker who seems to be under a lot stress.
If you have children who do not live with you, of course they would love to get that latest toy or video game when you visit. However, what they would probably love even more is some fun time with you. Make it memorable for them: sing Christmas songs, share family holiday stories, cook a special dish, build a snowman, act silly with them. For a moment, let them see a side of you that is not serious, stern and rushed. These moments will become their Christmas memories.
This approach also applies to those who do not have money for a bunch of gifts. Their Christmas tree may have just a few gifts under it, but their home can be filled with a lot of love and laughter.
Those of us who celebrate Christmas can also show kindness to those who have a different faith or no faith at all. With racial and religious differences being highlighted so many times during the divisive election, kindness, neighborly class and Hoosier hospitality would be refreshing to people who may have a different culture or belief system than yours.
It is always rewarding to give the community the gift of your time by volunteering with organizations that bring holiday happiness to people who are homeless or at risk of going hungry.
My point with all these examples is to show how much people would value having your presence more than having gifts. You are the greatest gift.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not suggesting that you show up at family gatherings or Christmas parties empty-handed or you walk in the door without something to open or something to eat. I’m not trying to get you disowned!
What I’m saying is basically the same thing that The Jackson 5, Indiana natives, said in their timeless classic: “Give Love On Christmas Day.” That song has been covered by several artists, including my favorite group, New Edition.
I think that is partly because of the truth in its lyrics. The song talks about giving “more than just presents from a store,” and reminds us that “no greater gift is there than love. What the world needs is love.”
The greatest gift is you, with all of your great qualities and the things that make you the unique person you are. The gift that makes the most difference is you, through your time and love.
