“Giving” was an answer I used to hear often when people asked about your favorite part of the Christmas season. But today, how many Americans really enjoy the gift of giving? To me it has become a burden.
In the past, middle class families bought each other a few needs and a few wants. Nowadays almost everyone is spending hundreds of dollars on Christmas gifts. Parents feel this weight the most and it’s for one reason. The amount of giving has gone up. It used to be normal for everyone in the family to receive a few gifts but a domino effect has taken place. Families and friends started buying more and more gifts and this put pressure on other families to do the same. Now it’s almost like a contest of who can provide their kids the most gifts on Christmas, not the most joy. The amount of gifts expected from parents is too much and this pressure is ruining the gift of giving that makes Christmas magical.
My mom has become stressed and overwhelmed with all of the gifts she has to give our big family. She said it is almost hard to balance buying all of these gifts and a full time job during this season. I told her in response that I don’t need a lot of gifts on Christmas morning to provide joy. My love of Christmas stems from the coming together of family and the fun traditions we have. A few sweet gifts is all I really need. That is really all most American children need.
American society needs to bring back the joy of gift giving. Although parents want to give their children all the gifts they can, it becomes a burden with the money and time that it takes. I love giving and I don’t want to see gifts bring down the spirit of Christmas.
