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It’s Christmas Eve, 11pm, and I honestly am not excited.
How could this be? I remember just last year Christmas was still pretty cool, and the year before that it was fantastic. It seems the Christmas excitement and joy has been steadily declining over the years. I’ve just hit age 22, so I guess that has to do something with it.
I’m not a kid anymore, the marvel at waking up to mountains of presents and surprises just isn’t there anymore. My parents know this, so we decided for the first time to have a “minimalist” Christmas. My dad got this idea from a newspaper article. We’ve drastically reduced the amount of gifts we’d be handing out, and I really can’t complain.
For a couple of years now, my family would literally have to torture me to come up with a Christmas list. The problem is that I just don’t want anything. It’s kind of depressing, but at the same time, I’m glad that I can just appreciate how lucky I already am.
Sure I could ask for some crazy stuff, like some sort of high tech gadget or gizmo, but I know that these things get old. Fast. The basics are really all that’s important in my opinion, and I’ve got em.
My dream has always been to get rich, especially as I work my butt off with all these affiliate marketing projects, among others, and it gets me wondering. What will I do with all the money if I can’t even ask for anything for Christmas??
Tough question I’d say. I think the money would surely pay for some upscale luxuries, but I’m starting to think that I’m going to want to use it to create new and exciting experiences. Less “things”.
There’s so much more to life than money, but money can open the doors to life.
So Christmas has now become a different experience. I’ll miss the old feelings of crazy excitement, waking up as early as possible to see what Santa had brought. Now to me it becomes a day to appreciate what we already have, and hopefully be able to give other people the chance to have the same gifts.
What does Christmas mean to you?
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You know, I feel just like you. Luckily, I am still a kid, however, I have my laptop which I bought with my blogging money. It’s all I wanted for Christmas, sort of a let down to get anything else. Oh well, hopefully its better next year.
Great post! I’ve been having “minimalist” Christmases for years and wouldn’t have it any other way. My husband and I keep it low key between ourselves and focus on giving to those truly less fortunate.
You are probably experiencing something that we all do (i haven’t been a kid for a very long time - MY kid is 24!).
You might consider doing something during the holidays which will enrich your life in a different way.
You are very blessed to have what you want and to RECOGNIZE that!
Why not give back? My daughter and I used to go to South Central Los Angeles to work the food center lines once a month and we especially liked working during the holidays.
I’m not saying you do THAT, I’m saying you might want to look for some worthy cause, something YOU think is worthy, and give your time and/or your money to some cause or another.
I know that when other people send me a special card telling me that they gave to xxx organization in my name, I’m thrilled. I give to others in a similar way too sometimes. I don’t know if it is appreciated tho.
You might recapture some of that ‘old yule’ feeling too when you give. Giving is a special activity with it’s attendant feelings.
I urge you to try it, at least once.
Pam Hoffman
http://seminarlist.blogspot.com
You’re absolutely right Pam, in fact the whole time I was writing this post I thought of how giving back and helping the less fortunate is sort of where this post may be heading.
It feels as if I am making a transition, but I’m not quite there. It’s kind of sad to see your childhood excitement go, and you’re sort of wondering what replaces it.
Everyone says that the true spirit of Christmas is giving, and I believe it’s true. And I think it may also be true at the same time that this could be misinterpreted. For example, I could buy a bunch of “stuff” for my friends and family, but that happiness of getting a new “thing” won’t last long.
But if I instead bought necessities for people who really needed it, out of charity, then this makes a Real difference. Of course, your time is worth even more.
So, even though I unfortunately did not have money, nor “time”; this Christmas passed by uneventfully. But don’t worry, I know by next Christmas, I’ll have the resources to do something.
I guarantee you that.