Are You Ready?
Christmas is just a week away! How are you planning to spend this week? Will it be a hectic rush for last-minute gifts, or will you savor moments with family, confident that your gifts are already purchased, wrapped, and neatly placed under the tree? I anticipate a mix of both.
Gift-giving is multifaceted, eliciting emotions such as gratitude, appreciation, surprise, and, occasionally, guilt. For instance, the pressure to reciprocate can lead to what I term "gift guilt," along with the ever-dreaded situation of being caught in the act of re-gifting-major faux pas.
How do you give?
From a financial standpoint, gift-giving introduces a layer of stress, mainly when it stretches the budget. How does one effectively budget for gifts? Is the decision-making process intuitive or driven by a predetermined list? For instance, when my husband and I were first married, we had different ideas about gift-giving. I was all about the surprise, thinking he should magically know what I wanted. Spoiler: It led to a few letdowns.
On the flip side, he was more practical. Growing up, his family gave each other lists of what they wanted. While lacking the element of surprise, this method ensured he received the gifts he wanted with minimal disappointment. Eventually, we found a middle ground. We set a budget for each family member, compared it to their wish lists, and purchased what we could within that budget. It makes the gift-giving process so much simpler. We are happy with what we spend, and they are pleased with their gifts.
The best gift of all…
Although I find joy in both giving and receiving gifts, to be candid, the thrill of receiving a gift can be fleeting. As with many things in life, we can grow weary of them. However, there exists one gift that stands apart. It transcends the material and embodies the true essence of the season: the gift of Love.
As we show our Love through the exchange of gifts, I am reminded that God demonstrated His Love through the birth, life, and sacrifice of His son, Jesus. For me, Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus who, while on earth, taught us how to love God and one another, ultimately restoring our relationship with God and bringing peace to our souls.
The holidays can be stressful, and as we navigate the inevitable fatigue of this last week, Jesus invites us to: “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28).
Whatever your faith tradition, may you experience the transcendental gifts of Peace and Love this Holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Marathon Wealth Management!
