Sharing At christmas Time

Have you ever stop to think why we give presents at Christmas more than any other time of the year. I know all the airs waves are saying it is the season for giving, I know it is tradition, I know it is what is expected. What I mean is why do we feel like giving only at this time of the year. Why not give something in January or February instead.

Why can't we feel like Christmas all year round? Keep the feeling flowing from one month to the next. Instead of saving up or over spending only in December split it up over 12 months. we could call it gift day every month on the 25th on the month. That way each month we would have something to look forward to and perhaps the joy of giving and receiving will carry over into our lives in other ways.

Now back to the original theme: why do we share at Christmas. Many companies have what is known as a fiscal end of year, why as individuals we have a calendar end of year, It is at this time we add up (in our minds) what we have done over the year and how much ahead or behind we are.

Before there were credit cards people would use what they had left of their hard earned resources and use that to purchase gifts for friends and families. sometimes it meant giving a token of a gift, or using food and so the tradition continues.

In the modern world of credit cards people spend more than they have in an effort to impress others. They are aided in this campaign by stores , newspapers, television and the internet to spend spend spend like there is no tomorrow. This is what makes our economy grow. It also is what keeps so many of us in debt.

Every year beginning with the Friday after Thanksgiving Americans begin the on slaught of the malls and shopping venues. Black Friday has become a shopping holiday of sorts. Those of us who choose not to part take of this madness will spend the next 4 weeks combing the stores for bargains that they missed out on on Black Friday.

The problem with shopping it means getting out in traffic with all the other crazy drivers rushing to get the best sales. if you live in a climate that produces snow and sleet driving conditions are not always conducive to being on the road.

Then you also have to contend with the driver who has been to a Christmas party and may not have your best interest at heart when they get behind the wheel. Even a buss feeling of two drinks can be drunk driving and when you mix in the snow and ice your odds of being involved in an accident go up immensely.

If you are one of those people who wait till the last minute to shop you can add another bad factor in. if the weather is threatening and you venture out anyway, your chances of an accident increase as does your chances of being stranded if the road conditions worsen.

What will you being giving for Christmas? i asked many people this question as i am sure you have as well. I asked because I wanted to see if the giving was of the heart or was it because of pressure to give.

I give what I can afford to see the pleasure in the eyes of the person receiving my gift. I give of my time to see the happiness I can bring by doing things for  others. I offer services to those in need. I gives gifts to people who don't expect them.

Not everyone is as fortunate as I am to have the time, or the resources, but I know this giving: of yourself in ways that others appreciate makes me a happier person.

This year won't you make an effort to share of yourself more, it is the only gift you can give that no one else has to offer.