What’s Better Than Holiday Shopping? This!

As the holiday sales and discounts are in full swing, what’s the real reason you want to buy gifts for others?

A father asked his little girl, Janie, to write a letter to Santa Claus asking for what she wanted for Christmas. Janie rushed to her room, shut the door, pulled out every crayon, and began to write. In green, she wrote about the doll she wanted. In pink and yellow, Janie drew the dress she wanted. Janie paused, took a deep breath and continued to the big one. She grabbed the blue crayon and started drawing, teardrops coming down a little girl’s face. She put a big “x” in red across the tears. All Janie really wanted was to stop crying every time her father left the house on long business trips. She crumpled up the piece of paper, threw it in the corner of her room and cried herself to sleep.

Her father knocked on the door and came in to see how the Santa list was going. Janie stumbled awake, the tears still on her face. Her father asked what happened. She reached to hug her daddy and said, “All I want for Christmas is to play card games with you. I don’t need anything from Santa.” Her father held Janie tightly and said okay. That night, Janie’s father called his business partner and said he can’t travel this week, I have a family matter to attend to. His business partner without asking any questions, said no problem.

From this point on, Janie’s father had to justify to himself every time he was away from Janie.

This holiday season, create true interactions and connections with your loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Or ask why you’re buying a gift in the first place. Is it to make you feel better that you’re doing something for someone else? Is the gift going to enhance the other person’s life? Sometimes a kid only wants to go to the park and play with their parents. As adults, let’s create those moments that turn into memories you’ll never forget. It’s in those moments that there is an equal (gift) exchange of love and affection.

Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day!