I discussed with my wife that that was something I wanted to do with Lilith, but she's too young for an allowance, so to jumpstart some good parental modeling we decided to match what we spent on each other for Christmas and give that amount to a charity of our choice. The money I spend on my wife I'll match and give to Louisville's Home of the Innocents (her choice), and the money she spends on me she'll match and will donate to the American Friends Service Committee (my choice).
In that spirit I wanted to write a post encouraging everyone to strive toward their own simple, morally balanced Christmas by sharing a few ideas:
- Make some of the gifts you purchase charitable donations in the receiver's name (a 1/3 of what my wife and I spend this Christmas will go to charitable causes).
- Set a spending limit and stick to it (we'll spend around $150 this year, total).
- Ignore the social stigma and regift (if the recipient didn't give it to you no one's the wiser).
- Alternately, give gifts around the house, or items you create (like baked goods).
- Be a redeemer this Christmas, and buy used items.
- Ask others to abstain from giving you gifts, or, request gifts that are can benefit others as well as yourself.
I'm sure you can think of more ways to make your holiday more equitable and Christ-like. Christmas, even if you look at it's pagan roots in the winter solstice, was traditionally about light re-entering the world after a prolonged period of darkness. It is a time of rejoicing and, yes, giving, but let us not mistake generosity with consumerism. Be creative in your celebration, but don't be materialistic. This is a day to remember a baby who was so threatening to the status quo that the local government ordered newborns killed in an attempt to snuff him out. Tell me what that has to do with the stress of shopping. The burden of extra credit card debt.
