As we all start to roll into the holiday season, I truly believe it’s up to you to decide if you want to experience a chaotic or calm Christmas.
Every year seems to get busier than the former and I find it crazy that Christmas items have been out since Halloween. I literally laughed aloud when I saw a shirt that read “HAPPY HALLOTHANKSMAS.” Yes, it feels like all three holidays are wrapped into one for sure and from October to the end of December as retailers push their agendas and products down our throats.
Oh these retailers have their key strategies down pat with their products, pricing, placement and their promotions. That’s for sure. Their focus is definitely to engage all of us as customers as we go through this crazy shopping season. We all know that Christmas is a major expenditure for many of us as we buy clothing, toys and too many gadgets.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans spend an average of $997.73 each Christmas. That’s almost the same as the median pre-tax weekly salary of $1,001. So actually the average American spends about a week’s salary on Christmas gifts annually.
Some other spending statistics includes:
• US holiday sales have grown year-over-year for over a decade
• 96% of Americans buy gifts for their families
• Gift cards are the most popular present to receive • 48% of Americans begin Christmas shopping before the end of October
• 63% of Americans now shop online for holiday purchases Their data also shows that well over 50% of the average American holiday budget goes toward gifts and how many of those gifts are returned?
However, what if you chose not to have such a chaotic time running around to find the so-called “perfect gift” for your loved one? What if Christmas was less about the gifts and more about the gatherings? What if Christmas was really about a Christ Child who was brought into this world to save us from all the chaos and bring us an everlasting calm?
I know most people love to give and receive gifts. But what I’m asking for you to do is slow down this season and really try to enjoy a different kind of present – each other’s presence.
Look for the quiet and calm moments when you can sit and just enjoy all the beautiful lights on your tree, in your home and with the ones you love. Sit in the still of the moment and enjoy the silence. Sit with soft music playing. Sit and really watch your children or grandchildren playing and be thankful for what is all around you. Sit in the calm and remember that “Holy Night” so long ago when chaos was still going on in the world but a tiny baby was born in a manger to save us all. Choose the “calm” instead of the “chaos” this season and let’s do our best to experience a little “Peace on Earth” this Christmas.
