Paper and ribbon, bags and tissue- the objects that sit beneath our Christmas tree had the ability to hypnotize us as children. Now, the prospect of purchasing gifts can leave one feeling stressed and overwhelmed. In a material world, where the cost of living can exceed our paychecks, presents seem to have become disconnected from their truth.
This Christmas, I want to walk you past the toxins that separate you from the truth of Christmas presents, so that stress and debt can be a thing of the past.
There are many stigmas that are now linked to Christmas presents:
The price of the gift determines it’s worth.
Often times we can feel pressured to purchase the gifts that cost an arm and a leg. When we live in a material world, it can be easy to forget that the real worth of a present comes from how we feel. If you choose to purchase a high-priced item and as a result are ticked off, this energy impacts you, your gift, your interactions with this person, and how this person responds.
Gifts are not determined by the price tag, but by how you feel.
The quantity outweighs the quality.
Counting gifts can be misleading for numerous reasons. One, the price is not equal. Sometimes there may be less presents if there are one or two, that are of substantial price. Second, our needs change from year to year. When we are just starting out on various journeys in our life, more gifts may make sense (for example if you just purchased your own place for the first time). While there are times when our needs and our wants are less.
Rather than choosing to count how many packages you have, consider the quality of the gift. How well does it match who you are? Was it given from a place of love or obligation?
Homemade equals low quality.
The marketing world has done much to brain wash you into being their personal puppets. One of the ways they do this is through advertisement. Each time a commercial greets your eyes it is telling you that you are less. But, if you purchase ______, then you will be whole.
When you choose to create something homemade, you are not losing the quality. For example, this Christmas I am making a quilt for my uncle. For a man who is at a time in his life where he doesn’t want stuff. My quilt has worth because I made it with him in mind, it’s one of a kind. I made it with love.
Over the years, due to the dysfunction that we have been raised with and surrounded by, we have lost sight of the purpose of gifts. Gift-giving has happened for centuries. Before department stores. Before electronics. Before money. Before mass production.
The purpose of a gift is to convey our emotions.
Our love and gratitude that this person is a part of our lives. This purpose can be achieved no matter the size of your wallet or based on the nearest department store.
Tips to Finding the Right Gift:
Connection.
When it comes to finding a gift, you are the best person, because you know the recipient. I could write a list of top 20 gifts, but they would not have any of the emotional depth, because I don’t know this person. When you go about finding a great gift, I recommend two things.
One, lose the word perfect. Perfect does not demonstrate self-love to yourself or others. Focus on finding a great gift that ties with this year. Because the needs of each year are unique. Second, ask yourself what do you know about this person? What are their likes? What did you talk about recently? What has been going on in their life lately?
Uniqueness.
During the holiday season we receive many gifts. Gifts from family and friends. Even our Secret Santas. Due to this large influx of gifts, not being redundant can become a challenge, especially for those people who are hard to shop for.
In order to avoid redundancy, I recommend Christmas Bazaars, craft fairs and websites (like Etsy), or even local art galleries to find those unique presents.
Patience.
When we wish to convey our deep heart-felt emotions to someone, not readily knowing what gift to give, or not finding one right away can be frustrating. In these instances, I recommend patience. The first store or bazaar may not have what you’re looking for, so don’t give up. And keep an open mind.
Spiritual Assist:
Sometimes we just don’t know what to get. When we have exhausted our bright ideas years before, I recommend talking with someone or ask your spirit guides or Spirit for help. Let them guide you to the right gift. It may not be what you expected or had imagined. If this is the path you choose, keep an open mind. Anything you see may trigger your intuition.
Heart-centered.
When choosing a gift, come from a place of love. We get to choose our internal reality, whether we approach the world from fear and stress. Or we approach life and thus, enjoy life in happiness and joy.
Stockings 101.
Stockings can be hard to fill. On top of the traditional gifts we buy to lay under the Christmas tree, we may need to fill stockings. In my family we fill our stockings with necessities. Toothpaste, floss, toothbrush, soaps, and other needs we have. We also slip in small chocolates. Remember, you get to choose the reality and traditions of your Christmas.
The 4-gift rule.
I recently read about the 4-gift rule. That the 4-gifts come down to: “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” I have mixed feelings about this rule. I am all for things to wear, and especially things to read.
However, I feel that putting a number limit to what you do can cause its own challenges. You never know what you’re going to find, what you might need, or what life will bring. Just as I said we have years where our journey is starting and we have greater needs, there are some years we have less needs. The 4-gift rule is a nice jumping off point, but I caution you to not let this rule be set in stone and lock you into a situation that blocks you from happiness and what Spirit has planned.
Presents are what we make them. Symbols of the joys we have experienced with the people we love. Let that be your focus this Christmas. The people we love.
Your Daily Dose of Christmas:
Christmas Song: The Littlest Angel by, Bing Crosby
Christmas Movie: While You Were Sleeping
- Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJxyUvkB_E
Daily Affirmation:
- “I approach my shopping from a grounded and happy center.”