Don’t let the fact that there are a bunch of labor-intensive holidays this month distract you from the important things. What, pray, could that possibly be? The answer, of course, is: you.
Don’t let anyone guilt or browbeat you into doing something really stupid this holiday season. In a world of pandemic, inflation, high fuel prices, and that sort of thing do you really want to go hundreds (or thousands) of dollars into debt just to give expensive gifts to people who may or may not actually be that important to you? Or you to them?
If you care about someone enough to want to get them an expensive gift, and they care about you the same way, then they care about you enough to not want you to financially martyr yourself by buying some ridiculously expensive gift. If they’re a real friend, they’d rather you take the $100 you were gonna spend on them and spend it on making your life better, your life safer, and your life more resilient.
If you can swing it, sure, get dad the Rolex, buy mom the Peloton, gift the wife that diamond she’s always wanted. But all those people who love you, if hey really love and understand you, would rather you just give them a hug and a $20 gift rather than hurt yourself financially by getting them something because you or someone else has you convinced that you ‘have to’ go into debt ‘because its Christmas’ (or whatever holiday).
Look around you, do you really think this environment we are living in right now is the kind where you want to exhaust limited resources just because you’re getting pressure to give outrageous gifts? Aren’t there more important things to do with your limited resources?
I have a few close friends and I would much rather they take the money they were going to spend on me and spend it on themselves instead to increase their resilience, increase their safety, and increase their security.
Part of being a survivalist is having to be able to ignore peer pressure. Now, if you’re squared away, of if you’ve got a goodly bit of disposable income, go ahead and buy great gifts for the people in your life. But if you’re really concerned about the future, and you think having a little extra this or a case or two of that in storage might be a good idea, then dial it back a bit this year in terms of gift giving. If someone asks why you ‘cheaped out’ this year when you were handing out $250 Amazon gift cards last year you tell them truth – you’re putting your resources into making your life safer, more secure, and resistant to the chaos we’re in now. And if those people have a problem with it, well, then they’re people you probably don’t need to have in your life anyway, let alone be giving gifts to.
Nobody ever lost their job, was staring down an eviction notice, and said “You know, I’m sure glad we spent all that money on those expensive gifts for people we barely see during the year.”
People who really care about you don’t want expensive gifts from you. People who really care about you just want you to be okay. If they really care about you, then theyre going to think thats the best gift they can receive – knowing the person they care about is well. Give ’em a hug, a box of 9mm, and tell them how much they mean to you. In the long run it’ll be a great exchange for both parties.
Sound wisdom CZ
Great advise.
Wish I’d read that before meeting the evil wife #2.
That’s a perspective rarely heard these days. Very refreshing and much needed.
Yes, this!
NEVER go into debt for others.
I think too many people get wrapped up in the commercialism of the holiday season, and I’ve found myself falling into the retail trap too. In recent years, I’ve been giving practical gifts. Last year I gave IFAK’s to my wife, kids, and close friends. Birthday gifts were Surefire flashlights, Resqme tools, and fire starter tools. With the ammo shortage going on, a box of 9mm would be a great gift!
Can’t disagree with that. Exactly the way I feel. Merry Christmas!!
Always have had issues with the giving of gifts for Christmas. Give gifts throughout the year as you identify something someone you care about is in need of. All the rest they can buy themselves as they need or can afford it. Christmas is a time to give of yourself, your time, your consideration for others, and to celebrate the birth of Christ. It’s not about buying crap for someone that will use or appreciate it for week or less and never again.
Christmans is a celebration of each other, when you are invited to someones house, to show up means you care, and they care to invite you. That is what you celebrate. Gifts generally simply confuse the entire issue.
When I get asked what I want Santa to bring, my go-to response has for many years been whatever Santa can afford without going into debt. With everything going on these days, I would rather have the presence of my friends and family than their presents.
I’d rather have your presence than your presents……….I like that.
Sound wisdom #2
Zero ( and Mike) for the win!
Beautifully stated…
Commander:
One description I once heard about expensive presents was this –
People spending money they don’t have to buy stuff that isn’t wanted for people they don’t really like.
Says it all about modern Christmas, doesn’t it…
All that said, all the best for the season and the new year!
Have to disagree. My mom wants a generator. That’s expensive. 😉
A friend who was a Los Angeles City Paramedic used to include credit-card sized calendars (which he got from his credit union) that had the three work shifts depicted on them, in his holiday cards…
I used that calendar all the time – both as a calendar, and to see if he was on shift.
I thought it was a terrific gift: It was very useful to me, I thought of him every time I used it, and frankly, it cost him little to nothing (the CU paid for them as member services, not ‘free’ but no additional charges).
That was pre cellphone, of course.
a good gift can certainly be cheap or free. A pair of nice socks or gloves, a wool blanket (from craigslist, Salvation Army or Goodwill) ammo can, box of 22 ammo on sale at Normashooting.com. Their TAC .22 gets good reviews. I bought some but haven’t shot it yet. Free shipping if order is over $150 and they are the only supplier in the known universe with .243 in stock.
https://normashooting.com/shop/caliber/rimfire/22lr/22-lr-40-gr-lrn-tac-22/
D&H teflon mags on sale at PSA for $9. Could save a life!
https://palmettostatearmory.com/d-h-5-56-30rd-aluminum-magazine-8416.html