I Really Don’t Want Anything for Christmas
Posted by Justin McHenry in Happiness
I love Christmas, maybe even more so than when I was a kid, because I get such a kick out of seeing my kids open their presents. But for the past few years I have been trying unsuccessfully to get people to stop buying me christmas gifts.
Don't get me wrong. I want stuff just like anyone else. But I don't want much. And I don't generally want things that anyone would buy me for a Christmas gift. I usually want either big things that are too expensive for anyone to buy as a gift, or very small things that most people would think are insubstantial to give as a gift. No one's going to spring for a trip to Europe for me, and probably no one's going to think that Post-It Notes are a sufficient gift (despite my love of them).
What I don't want are things that clutter my life, like random electronic gadgets, or clothes that I like just enough to keep even though I wouldn't have bought them myself (and also would have some guilt getting rid of). I don't mean to be Scroogey about it; I appreciate the sentiment. I just don't want the stuff.
I've worked hard over the last year or so especially to try to rid myself of physical/mental junk, and I try to keep a running tickler in my head that pulls me back when I am tempted to buy something that will get limited use or that I know will cause me regrets later. Then Christmas comes, and the stuff shows up.
I have asked anyone buying for me (which is thankfully fewer people than it used to be thanks to my bad personality) to please either make a donation in my name somewhere, or buy me things like tickets to events-something that I'll appreciate but that will not occupy an eternal space in my physical surroundings. Sometimes these wishes are granted; other times they are completely ignored.
Is it somehow wrong to NOT want Christmas gifts? Is our society so attached to the gift-giving aspect of Christmas that to not want gifts is to somehow be ungrateful? I sometimes sense that reaction, and I can't tell if I'm a jerk or just an anomaly.
(The photo on this post is from krisdecurtis.)
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I feel the exact same way. I have a friend who insists on buying me something for Christmas. I know what she is getting me and it is not something I want. I would rather she give the amount she would spend on the DVD to a charity or buy me those neat lined post-its that I love.
This is great! Another one who gets it! Unlike the author, I do not want for anything at Christmas other than the joy of me making a child or adult happy. Iam fortunate to have the things I need in life and am grateful to the Almighty for His blessings. Stop buying me things that will just take up space in my closet, clothing in colors that I don’t like. And please stop saying, “you really want something, you would be upset if you didn’t get anything”. You want to give me something, grant me my waish, and give me a card. Simple!
wonderful entry! i wish people would listen to me when i say that. please read my entry – it’s a bit vulgar, but what can i say, i was mad :)
I agree ith you…, Not that I don’t want presents, but that the presents that I want are too expensive to somebody give me as a gift.
Great Post
Paulo
I feel the same way, and have since I was 16. The problem is I live at home and have everything I could ever want!
My mom doesn’t understand how I, a 20 yr old, could simply find joy in watching the gifts I purchase/make making other people happy.
THANKYOU!!! Now can you please go to all my family & friends home and explain this exact sentiment? My mother told me ‘it’s the thought that counts’ but I had to remind her I would be happy to keep just the thought…not to mention the people who want to keep ‘gifting’ are the worst gift givers!! I don’t want to buy gifts but I’m excellent at buying them, and generous, but I get the crappiest gifts in return which only compounds my desire to eliminate this gluttonous tradition! You Rock!! Forever my holiday hero! The Florida Grinch