Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed Grinch.

Yes, I am a Grinch. Well, if you define a Grinch as being someone who has grown to hate the commercialization of the Christmas season. Again, I know this is ironic coming from the author of a motivational blog who is usually a very happy person. But there’s a reason, and it’s not because I’m being negative. It’s because of how our culture has killed the meaning of Christmas.

I used to love the Christmas season when I was kid. Well, okay, who didn’t? But honestly, as I hit college, it just became stressful to me. I was finally responsible – both psychologically and financially – to buy my own presents for my whole family. And you should know that I literally hate shopping. I blame my mom and sisters for that. They always dragged me out for marathon shopping sessions every Saturday when I was kid. And while I realize how lucky I was that we had the money to do that, I was still incredibly bored. Oh, and crowds aren’t my thing either. I like things to be relaxed, calm, and peaceful. I’d rather put a bullet through my brain that go shopping in the middle of the night on Black Friday. I know some people love it, and that's cool. But's just not my thing.

Maybe I’m weird.

I just think our culture has lost all meaning of what Christmas is supposed to be (or any other holiday you might be celebrating during December … for all of my Jewish friends!). And Thanksgiving? Call me crazy, but I thought the original idea of Thanksgiving was to give thanks and appreciation and to spend quality time with your family. 

Apparently, JC Penney does not think so. Their black Friday commercial that says it all. Take a look:

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The first time I saw this, my jaw dropped. I mean, REALLY?!? We are now encouraging people to ditch their family on Thanksgiving as fast as possible to go out and buy more stuff that no one really needs? I just shake my head in amazement sometimes. I wonder what the starving people in the world would think if they saw this. I have no words.

Anyway, back to me. Even back when I was in college, I thought it was silly that our culture basically expected me to buy stuff for my family with money I didn’t have. I went into debt. Is that what Jesus would have wanted? I think not. I’m pretty sure he would just want us to celebrate with our loved ones and give gifts of ourselves. Not go into debt and pile on the stress. Not that I’m trying to make a religious statement in this blog, because I’m not. But while I am eternally grateful that I don’t have to go into debt now, I still hate the pressure of it all. Although I have to admit, as the years have gone by, online shopping has become a blessing to me!! HA!

I know many of you love the holiday season. And that’s totally awesome!! I have friends who take delight in middle-of-the-night black Friday shopping and others who love wrapping presents, making cookies, and feeling like jolly little elves. Actually, I think that’s great! I'm not judging.

Honestly, once my shopping and wrapping is all done, I also turn into a jolly little elf. The pressure is off. The bills will be paid. The work is done. Now I can just enjoy. Whew! 

But here’s the thing I want you to think about this week.

How many people in our world don’t have the money to get gifts for their children and family? Or even food, for that matter? How many already have maxed out credit cards, are jobless, homeless, going bankrupt, or just plain exhausted from life? Too many to mention, unfortunately.

So if you don’t have the money for presents this holiday season, it's okay!! I would encourage you to not succumb to the pressure of spending money you don't have. Instead, make some homemade gifts! Make your family some do-it-yourself coupons that they can use (“here’s a free 15 minute back rub” or “here’s me doing the laundry for you for a week”). 

So that's lesson #1 of this blog - don't feel pressured to spend money you don't have. Personally, I think giving gifts of yourself is more meaningful than a $20.00 sweater you bought because you had to. But that's just me.

And another lesson - LOVE EVERYONE. Love your family and friends. Love strangers. Love your “enemies.”  Give real gifts - gifts of yourself. Be selfless. Take care of each other. Do random acts of kindness. I think that’s what the holiday season should be about. 

And yet another lesson – BE PRESENT (I mean "be mentally focused," not literally to be "a present" ... although that could work too! ha!). If it's Thanksgiving with your family, don't mentally be at the mall. Be there with them.

But according to JC Penney, I guess I’m wrong...

Have a great week!! I hope you all turn into jolly little elves!! :)

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