Stop the Holiday Frenzy!

Why do so many people go bananas when it comes to the holidays? Why do they max out their credit and add to it? Have they forgotten what the holidays are supposed to be about?

The holidays should be a time for Love and Family; not material goods.

What's wrong with buying gifts throughout the year for everyone on your list whenever you feel they deserve it or to show that you care? Why wait for the holidays, then go broke trying to BUY something for everyone just to be buying something?

Contrary to what most people would like to admit, the holidays are NOT the happiest time of the year. People, especially children, become almost greedy. Rather than learning that this time of year is to celebrate love and family, they see it as a time to get all the material goods they can possibly get from their parents and family. That's what they've been taught to expect. They don't have to earn anything; just ask for it at this time of year.

Many people are very depressed by the holidays. Suicide rates go up. More people go to the emergency room during the holidays than at other times of the year because of more stress, overeating, and drinking too much alcohol.

Why not give them gifts throughout the year whenever you want to show them you appreciate what they're doing and how they're doing? Gift-giving and -receiving will be appreciated more. And you won't go broke buying gifts that aren't appreciated nearly as much as when they receive a gift for no special occasion.

So why not begin a New Tradition? Show your appreciation of your family and friends throughout the year and keep the holidays for strengthening family love and friendship? Instead of picking the name of a "homeless" or less fortunate child off a tree at the mall and buying them a toy or other thoughtless gift, why not invite a homeless family home to share a good dinner? After all, you don't know the child you're buying for. You don't know what they would want or need. You don't know anything about them except that they have a lot less than you do. Maybe they would rather have a warm bed in a safe place and food to eat than some useless toy. Maybe they would rather be a part of a happy family even for a little while, singing carols around a tree and having dessert. Ever think of that?