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.
