Money Money Money

The holidays are upon us and most everyone is out clamouring for the best buy.  I, for one, am not.  It’s not   the economic times that have me saving my pennies though, not this year anyhow.  This year I actually found a way to get ahead of the game so to speak.  In spite of my newly found budgeting principles or because of them, I do not wish to spend money on frivolous gift giving.

For the past several years I have been becoming less needy for material possessions and have taken stock in how I have handled gift giving and receiving in the past.  You see I have a large family and gift giving, even if handmade, is expensive.  Both time and money are valuable commodities that I’m not willing to use any more.  Don’t get me wrong, my family has always shown their appreciation one way or another.  They lovingly refer to my gifts as ‘Kimi’ gifts and some siblings have said that they actually look forward to their ‘Kimi’ gift each year.

By the time you buy the boxes for mailing, gift wrap to make them festive, cards to enclose, and pay the shipping and handling each gift costs approximately $10 and that’s before you put anything in the box!  Final cost is about $25 per person.  Why, that’s pretty inexpensive you might be thinking, but now multiply that by six and it’s about $150 and at least 30 hours of time.  Now add the nieces and nephews and their children and we are up to an additional 15 needed gifts only they don’t come as inexpensively because ‘Auntie Kimi’ gifts need to be memorable and ’store bought’ in the interest of time.  Unfortunately, because of a lack of funds in the past, most holidays came and went without any ‘Auntie Kimi’ gifts.  With two young adult children of my own, two step-children(one married), and a grandson, I was allotting $250 per child for Christmas.  I also have to cover my kids significant other if in a relationship.  As you can see Christmas is big business that runs two to three thousand dollars and I haven’t even decorated the house yet!

I used to request that we draw straws among the siblings, and then, for the children also, so that gift giving would be more fun, less taxing financially.  I thought this would make giving more affordable(money and time wise) for all and would lend itself to the recipients getting more meaningful or useful gifts.  This option has not yet been accepted by my family.  My dearly departed mother would always say, ’surely you can get everyone a little something.’ I don’t think she realized just how taxing the season was made to be for me, but in order to try to live up to her expectations, I began providing a ‘Kimi’ gift.

Fortunately this year, when so many others have none, I have two jobs but that means no time for gift making.  My money has been budgeted for the next three months and no extra funds were dog-eared for Christmas beyond the provision for my own children and husband.

As far as being on the other end, a receiver, I have, and enjoy, and am thankful for, those things I’ve acquired over the years but don’t want anymore ‘things’. I don’t want additional jewelry, smell goods, or nick-knacks.

The only gifts I want are:
1. Quality time, well spent with a loved one or friend, creating memories.
2. Good health for all
3. The opportunity to help others

English biographer Izaak Walton once said:

“Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy.”

Love, of course, is the first blessing we mortals are capable of and I have plenty of that in my heart and am willing to give it freely to all.

I hope my brothers, sisters, extended family, and friends will accept my gift of good tidings for these are being delivered with a clear conscience, as for once, I am being true to my own gift giving principles.

Happy Holidays Everyone!