It’s Christmas Eve, dear readers. And I know that the situation of our economy has become a heavy burden.
The prices of goods remain high, and so it is no wonder that our Facebook feeds are filled with inspirational quotes about how gift-giving is not an obligation this season.
“Don’t bother giving me gifts this Christmas. Use that money to pay your debts,” a colleague said to me.
As a member of the working class, I can only gobble up these inspirational quotes in a manner of self-soothing knowing that my financial capabilities this season will not allow me to go all out on gift-giving.
Gift-giving on Christmas takes a lot of financial toll on the working class because there is the pressure to repay debt of gratitude through material things.
I know of some workplaces that have a gift-giving tradition, putting pressure on employees to give gifts to each other, or else a poor workmate is shunned. Thankfully, not every workplace is practicing such.
But is it really necessary to give so many gifts during Christmas at the expense of one’s financial health? I don’t think so.
As a former people-pleaser, I can tell how it is most uncomfortable not to be able to provide gifts to everyone you know, as if the thin thread that makes up our relationships with them will break without a Christmas gift.
The truth is that relationships are made up of threads that are not worth keeping, and gifts will not strengthen those relationships either.
A gift may probably increase a person’s positive view of you, but that positive view will not matter in a week, a month or in a few months after the gift-giving if you’ve done nothing to cultivate the relationship.
Of course, we are talking about personal relationships here, not business relationships. It may be prudent to give gifts to clients, stakeholders and others to ensure the viability of your businesses.
Now, if you’re a member of the working class like me, I highly suggest you don’t worry much about giving gifts.
If you have the budget for it, go ahead. Choose the people who matter and who deserve gifts. Prioritize those you love and those who have made you a better person.
Gift-giving relies on sincerity. Giving a gift just for the sake of giving holds no value.
If you don’t have the budget for gift-giving, don’t put pressure on yourself to give material things.
There is the gift of time, the gift of service, the gift of words, and the gift of friendship that are more valuable than any material item.
Spend your hard-earned money to better your life and your family. Spend it on memories, spend it on yourself, or spend it on people who truly need it.
If there is one entity who deserves a gift, that would be God, but he doesn’t ask much. The best gift you can give God is faith and kindness to others.