The holiday season for many people is a time to draw the year end to a close with celebration. A time when some go on holiday to warm, sunny places, while others gather around fireplaces with family and friends to share time with each other.
In days of old, before television, and shopping centres, this time of year was anticipated with joy and excitement. Gifts were exchanged, usually home made and from the heart. Many times gatherings were more about cooking and eating together than what may be under the tree.
I needed to go with my son to purchase him some needed clothing yesterday. We knew what he wanted and had a couple of stores in mind. I guess I should have thought about the fact that it was a Sunday afternoon on December 12th before embarking on that excursion. By the look of the fully packed parking lot at the shopping centre, it was clearly apparent that the holidays have obviously become far more about shopping and spending, than being a time to relax, recollect on the past year and prepare for the new year.
I don't know when it became so popular to need to purchase so much, for the sake of a date on the calendar. When I was very young, my family didn't have tons of money growing up, so my sisters and I would anticipate all year for Christmas to come so we could have new toys or clothes. Perhaps that is the story of many adults that still, to this day, feel the need to give everyone they love gifts. Perhaps we feel cheap if we don't, because everyone else is shopping, spending and giving. I know I have totally felt that sentiment. Although I am not a big consumer, the holiday season still makes me feel like I should be buying gifts. Some habits just never go away.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with continuing the gift giving tradition but I do dislike when people who don't necessarily have the means, feel pressured to dip into savings and credit cards in order to fulfil some sort of social norm. It is a common dilemma, and it is very uncomfortable to say ''sorry, I am totally broke this year and I really shouldn't be spending on anything that isn't neccessary.'' A person should never need to apologize for not spending and buying. The way one deals with their finances and when and for whom they shop is purely their business.
This social pressure also adds so much extra stress in a time when it should be ''down time'' and a time to reflect. When a person that usually needs to commute every day, punch in and punch out, finally gets their 2 weeks of vacation, it should be a chance to slow down and relax. By the exhausted look on many shopper's faces yesterday, it didn't seem like a time to slow down.
My 18 year old son, after 3 stores and trying on a few pairs of jeans and sweaters was already yawning and saying that he was tired of shopping. I laughed out loud, the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree does it?
This holiday season, think about if you really need to spend so much of your time and money on the ''social pressures'' of putting on the big ''show and decor'' or if perhaps you can start easing out of those old habits that we all grew up with, and be a bit more minimalist and relaxed and celebrate with simplicity.
Happy Holidays
