The Celebration of Christmas or the Celebration of Stuff

Four weeks ago, I befriended an unhoused neighbor and the time I spent with a woman who I will call “Mary” has changed me in a way that I was not thinking it would. Since this interaction I have reflected about what Mary showed me through her actions. The conversation started because I had four Nutri-grain bars that I gave her and a 20 minute conversation.  In the conversation she started crying because I recognized her and her humanity.

I spent time visiting Mary and taking her food. Her and I walked our dogs together and had many long conversations. Mary and her husband were awaiting housing, and while they waited there were many cold nights in a tent. The day that they got housing Mary was so filled with joy, she offered me everything she had. Why? Because I had been kind and she wanted to thank me.  

My time with Mary and watching her humility and gratitude started my reflections during this season. 

In the days leading up to this interaction, it became the start of the Christmas Season. I have seen the amount of advertisements that are selling me everything. We are selling a type of joy that is thought to only be able to be found with stuff, physical items that will somehow bring us closer to the happiness we want. If those physical items don’t work then a few weeks later you can buy hundreds of planners that will get you closer to the goals. Yet then we go home to the items, and we feel powerless, overwhelmed and many times the conversation becomes that we have to keep. 

Between 11-18 percent of Americans own at least one storage unit of stuff -I have rented them myself for short times between moves, etc.  Regularly, I see new storage complexes being built. The need for these units is not because our homes are too small or lack of space, it is because we refuse to let go of items. We continue to add to our belongings with unnecessary purchases as a means to obtain the happiness we long for.   People are working to pay for the ridiculous cost of keeping up with these expectations.  

We are in the weeks leading up to Christmas and right now I am getting constant advertisements about how if I buy enough gifts for everyone I love that I will be able to find joy in my heart. This is not going to work though. We need to find ways that we can think about the real joy of the season - one that is filled with hope and love- not toys, items that cost more than our budgets, and junk that ultimately makes us feel powerless to everything around us.  

As we are doing the final weekend of shopping, think about the following:

• Donate to a charity in the person's name

• Take them to do something they would enjoy

• Spend time with them 

• Buy something from a thrift shop or resale shop

• Buy local!!

• You do not need to max out gift giving to have an impact on those you choose to give gifts to.