With the stress of inflation causing new financial burdens, it can be hard to create an authentic and riveting Christmas experience. Buying presents and basking in holiday cheer can seem impossible with the looming cost of living. However, as this article sets to highlight, the spirit of the Christmas season does not solely depend on the world around you. Instead, the joyous occasion sets out hope through familial or friendship connections.
Throughout history, marketing campaigns and ads have made Christmas a gift-buying spectacle of lavish and expensive products. However, its humble beginnings show that you do not need a big budget to have a good celebration. Originally, Christmas began as a Pagan celebration where believers honored the sun. Christians later adopted that same date of December 25th to instead honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The popularity of Christianity led to its pagan roots to become an afterthought, buried under swaths of history and its own origins.
Though purchasing items and wrapping them to gift to others has become a longstanding tradition, for believers, they should always be reminded that the true power of the holiday lies in their faith. Though recent trends with the economy in the United States seem to be on a downward spiral, with a possible recession in the midst, they should be reminded that God will always be there for them in such times of need.
For non-believers who happen to celebrate Christmas, hope lies in changing certain holiday traditions to suit their financial needs. This may include putting a limit on the amount of items bought, or celebrating the holiday on a day other than the 25th to accommodate for any recent bills or emergencies. Though these two suggestions apply to Christians as well, these are more concrete and solution oriented ways to get through the holidays in this current climate.
There are also plenty of free festivities one can partake in that can substitute other expensive endeavors. Christmas caroling, re-using old decorations for the house, and watching holiday movies are all good ways to counteract the negativity of the economy and celebrate freely. Because, although money does indeed make the world go round, so do happy smiles and general Christmas cheer!
Lastly, for Christians and non-Christians alike, both should see the value of friends and family rather than harp on decreasing finances. The presence of others, who are surely struggling in similar ways, can help pull one out of a finance induced slump. That may include asking for loans, being provided a shoulder to lean on, or even being gifted something that you yourself could not get yourself. These connections exist to heal and to help in times of need, so enjoying the company of others is a sure way to avoid complete devastation.
In order to fully enjoy Christmas in this economy, one must free themselves from their finances and instead remember the roots of this festive holiday. It is also most important to focus on community. Christmas is a celebration between family and friends that shouldn’t depend on how much one can spend. So, no matter what the state of the world is, the holiday should remain a staple and represent the love we have for each other.
