What Are You Giving This Holiday?
December is the month of giving and sharing. In the United States, it has also become the month of nonstop shopping. Holiday sales begin right after Halloween now—long before Thanksgiving ever arrives. What used to be the excitement of Black Friday has turned into weeks of advertisements, countdowns, and pressure to buy more. Little kids know that Santa will bring them gifts on Christmas Eve. Many create long Christmas wish lists, dreaming of new toys waiting under the tree. When my kids were young, we used to buy so many gifts to exchange with their friends that on Christmas morning, piles of brightly wrapped presents filled our living room. But the thrill of receiving gifts lasts only a moment. The excitement stretches from the second a child spots their name on a package… to the unwrapping… to the quick reveal. And then—just like that—it’s over. Many gifts were left untouched, never used or played with. What a waste of time, money, and effort. I still remember one Christmas when m...
