Friday 14 October 2016

Christmas: To spend or not to spend?



The Season of Giving
Lurking around the corner, waiting to pounce on all of us come 25th December is the season that many of us have been waiting for – Christmas! This jolly day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. Celebrated by many, even non-Christians, Christmas is a season that encompasses going to church, brightly lit Christmas trees, mistletoe, gift-exchanging, immaculate dressing and of course, grand days of feasting.

It is no wonder that during this season, many people find the pocket in their hole widening with each present they buy and each meal they gather for. In Singapore, the Christmas season is a popular period for year-end sales, including discounts and promotions that tie in with the festivities. This increased shopping frenzy influences minds and before we know it, our savings have dwindled down to nothingness.

This way, the season of giving becomes interpreted in a manner skewed from its tradition – it becomes a season of giving (money!).

What Lies Beneath It All?
Many of us forget the true meaning behind Christmas. Essentially a day set aside to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, this is a holy season that involves joyous celebration and humble praying. Celebrating Christmas can be done in an affordable way. Here are some suggestions for you to spend Christmas the way it should be spent:

1. Take Celebrations Indoors
In Singapore, Christmas Day is usually a time when family and friends would gather to eat, drink and make merry. Instead of spending the monies on restaurants of great splendour for lavish luncheons and dinners, have your Christmas party in the comfort of your home. After all, home is where the heart is. Having your dearest friends and family spend Christmas in the warmth of your home is a heartening and exciting affair. Arranging for a potluck among your closest ones not only saves money for everyone, it also allows everyone to taste a variety of delicious home-cooked dishes among great company.

2. Sing Your Hearts Out
Instead of heading down to the coolest (and incredibly expensive) clubs in Orchard or Clarke Quay to party with strangers, why not engage in a more meaningful activity such as gathering a band of pals and heading down to a nursing home or an orphanage for some good ol’ carolling fun? The aged and the young, who live in both nursing homes and orphanages respectively, are often destitute of familial love – by spending time to make them happy via traditional Christmas music will not only bring a bit of Christmas joy into their hearts, it will certainly bring smiles to our faces this compassionate season.

3. Get Your Hands Working
Christmas is the season of giving, but this does not mean that you must spend bags of money purchasing gifts to give to family and friends. The most precious gifts come from the heart and aside from showering your loved ones with unspoken love and attention, take some time to make something for them. There are several arts and crafts stores island wide, including Art Friend and Spotlight, which carry diverse ranges of everything that you need for a nice, handmade gift. Touch the hearts of your loved ones this Christmas with a handmade card, an elaborate cosmetic box or even a lovely handsewn pouch.

Revel In A Money-free Christmas!
In the hullabaloo of modern life, Christmas has been transformed into a season of commercialism. However, it is important not to lost sight of the essence of Christmas and the crucial values that are associated with it, such as love, peace and joy. These values have no price tags attached to them. Befitting of the song title, “The Best Things in Life Are Free”, Christmas is a season of merrymaking among loved ones and should therefore also be celebrated in a worry-free, heartwarming and loving way.

Christmas | Season of Giving | Life | Article | MyMailMoment