I have successfully bypassed Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. It wasn't all that hard. Guess I just found other things to do, like spend time with family and watch the Vikings lose again. Being a non-shopper in the first place and a Christmas shopping procrastinator to boot, I'm one of those people that think Dec. 20th, or so is a good time to pick up some holiday gifts.
My neighbors already have their lights up. Judy and I will probably put ours up in two or three weeks. We'll get a last minute deal on Christmas trees, and those of you who get a Christmas card from us know it usually arrives sometime mid-January. I don't begrudge people getting into shopping and Christmas in general. As a matter of fact, I kind of admire those who get into the spirit of the season. And each year I look forward to receiving another CD of "wacky" holiday tunes personally made by a good friend of mine.
I will buy some gifts this season, of course. If nothing else, because my wife's birthday is December 1. I dare not forget it. She made it easy for me, though, when we got married on June 1, exactly six months from her birthday.
In about three weeks the two of us will sit down and make a list of what to get for people. Her 100-year-old grandma is always hard. What can we get her that she hasn't either bought or received in the last century? The kids are grown, so we won't be getting any little toys for them to delight in for an hour or so after they open them up. Right now I think they just appreciate the tuition payments. We've gotten over the idea that we have to buy presents for far-flung relatives we hardly ever see. That leaves a few close relatives and friends, and each other. And what we like, mostly, is just spending time together. Gifts given are symbolic for the most part.
We'll make this list over breakfast at a favorite restaurant. Then we will go on a shopping blitz, kind of our personal Black Friday, and get it all done by 2 p.m. The best part of the day will be breakfast. I know this goes against the grain, but we'll probably have time left over to reflect on the Reason for the Season.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Giving
Tomorrow is "Give to the Max" day here in MN. I know other states have it. It is big here. Millions of dollars are raised supporting hundreds of non-profits. We top the nation in giving per capita almost every year.
It seems like every big or little non-profit I have ever given money to has hit me up for more in the last week. I don't blame them. It's part of their job. But I'm not going to give to all of them. How do I decide which ones get some cash this year?
Like most persons, I tend to follow my heart. I had a life-transforming experience in Africa, so they will get some. Certain illnesses run in my family, so they will get some. I've been involved in music all of my life, so the arts will get some. I work in and believe in the local and extended church, so they will get some. But that still leaves a lot of alternatives.
By "alternative" I mean just that. We will all give holiday gifts to loved ones, friends and co-workers. But quite frankly they already have enough. How will I bless those who don't? I could lavish less on those who really don't need what I give them and be more generous to those who do.
Someone once advised me to keep in mind three areas: relief, rehabilitation and development. Relief is sending emergency supplies that are needed because of a natural or human-made disaster. Emergency food or donated blood in response to Hurricane Sandy is an example. Rehabilitation is helping people re-build after the emergency. Helping people rebuild their homes after a earthquake in Haiti is an example. Development is helping people help themselves. Supporting High School education in a country where it is lacking is an example.
I also try to think of three areas: local, national and international. There is need everywhere.
I'll be splitting my money up several ways and in different parts of the world. Nobody will get my max, but several will get something.
It seems like every big or little non-profit I have ever given money to has hit me up for more in the last week. I don't blame them. It's part of their job. But I'm not going to give to all of them. How do I decide which ones get some cash this year?
Like most persons, I tend to follow my heart. I had a life-transforming experience in Africa, so they will get some. Certain illnesses run in my family, so they will get some. I've been involved in music all of my life, so the arts will get some. I work in and believe in the local and extended church, so they will get some. But that still leaves a lot of alternatives.
By "alternative" I mean just that. We will all give holiday gifts to loved ones, friends and co-workers. But quite frankly they already have enough. How will I bless those who don't? I could lavish less on those who really don't need what I give them and be more generous to those who do.
Someone once advised me to keep in mind three areas: relief, rehabilitation and development. Relief is sending emergency supplies that are needed because of a natural or human-made disaster. Emergency food or donated blood in response to Hurricane Sandy is an example. Rehabilitation is helping people re-build after the emergency. Helping people rebuild their homes after a earthquake in Haiti is an example. Development is helping people help themselves. Supporting High School education in a country where it is lacking is an example.
I also try to think of three areas: local, national and international. There is need everywhere.
I'll be splitting my money up several ways and in different parts of the world. Nobody will get my max, but several will get something.
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