Dear Miss C:
I know this isn’t the type of question you have answered in other columns, but I am at a loss. This year is a hard one in our household, but Christmas is very special to me. Usually, we celebrate Christmas morning together opening presents. I love watching my family open presents I bought for them. The love, the joy I see in their faces. This year I do not have the money to buy presents. My freshly cut budget just won’t allow it. How can I still make the holidays special for my family?
—Holiday Blues
Dear Holiday Blues:
No matter your faith, joy does not come from the presents, it comes from the giving. You can give in many ways. You can give of your time, give of your heart, give of your talents, or give of your experiences. It sounds like it might be time for you and your family to start a new tradition, giving of YOU! Be creative! Be loving! Be You!
Here is an idea! This year challenge your family to exchange a different kind of gift. Charge each person with finding a way to gift others in a nontraditional way. For example, one year my mom gifted me by donating to Friends of Felines (Cat Rescue), because she knew that pet rescue is near and dear to my heart. That was an amazing gift! My nephew gifted me by decorating a little cardboard heart and gifting it to me as a jewelry box… I love it! I have gifted others with letters, poems, and songs from my heart. You can also volunteer your time in honor of another. The possibilities are limitless!
If you still want to open presents, consider a re-gifting white elephant exchange! It is fun, and sometimes you end up with treasures you have always wanted. For example, my sister had a guitar. She doesn’t have time to play it anymore, I would LOVE to get that in a white elephant exchange! You can make the rules whatever you want.
Oh, Holiday Blues… use this season to expand your vision of giving! The holiday season can be stressful, dig deep in your heart and help spread the joy of the season!
Blessings,
Miss C
Send your questions to AskMeMissC@gmail.com or to the Westbend News, to my attention.
