Friday, December 22, 2006

My Christmas Gift to You

As expected, the demands of Christmas have exacted their own demands on my sanity. I'm so dog-weary of all the "gimme, gimme" that I just want Christmas to hurry up and pass by. I won't even wave at it in the rearview mirror. Good riddance.

It's not all bad. I love our church activities, the children's events, and the music this time of year. I've been called on to sing every single weekend since Thanksgiving. Normally, that would exhaust me. But, it's exhilerating this time of year. Maybe I'll even have hottie cartoon me sing a Christmas carol this weekend.

And, I really do LOVE giving people gifts - truly. I give gifts all year long just because I run across something I know a certain someone would love to have. Sometimes, it's something on sale that somebody can't afford otherwise or a hard to find item that I lucked into. In a strange, twisted sort of way, giving gifts is actually more about me than the person getting it. It just feels good.

But it's a nightmare this time of year to hear parents yelling at kids in public, to hear "me, me, me, gimme, gimme, gimme" all the time, and to see people blowing money on worthless crap that will wind up in the trash only to then see those same people pass by the Salvation Army bucket without dropping a dime.

Why does anyone need a $10 roll of wrapping paper or a trout that sings Jingle Bells?

Don't get me wrong. I like fun. There's nothing wrong with fun. In fact, I'm still waiting on that Scooby Doo Chia pet. Hello? Family? I circled it in red sharpie on photocopies of the newspaper inserts that I left beside all your purses and wallets. Pharmacy. Walmart. Target. What do you want, the money, too?

One of my sisters is getting Longhorn pajamas. She loves UT and needs pajamas. Perfect. And, fun. Another sister is getting a blingy pirate skull scarf. She loves pirates and bling. Also perfect. Also fun. But there's a vast difference between buying a fun gift that somebody will enjoy and buying disposable crap because you'd rather waste money than make an emotional investment in a gift that requires thought and effort.

Here's the point: please, if you don't know what to give somebody or find yourself with the urge to buy a singing trout out of last minute desperation, why not make a donation to a charity in the name of that friend or loved one? Then, be honest with them. Tell them you wanted to get them something special but were clean out of ideas so you made a gift to the Komen Center for Breast Cancer Research because you remembered that their sister has breast cancer, to the American Heart Association because their father had a recent heart attack, or to Children's Medical Center because their baby nephew died of SIDS last year.

Okay, so maybe these aren't glamorous ideas that will bring shrieks of joy, but it's how I cope with the waste I witness and the growing me-ism selfishness that appears to mushrooming with each new generation.

SO, HERE'S MY CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOU--

Blogosphere friends, I don't know most of you but you've all taught me a thing or two this year so tell me your favorite charity and I'll make a contribution in your name. Seriously. I really will. Well, unless I don't KNOW your name (unk and mystery man!) in which case, I'll make it in my name and you'll just have to trust me.

So, give me the name of your charity (and an address or phone # if it's one I probably haven't heard of). Give it to me now. Gimme, gimme, gimme. Yeah, it's still all about me.

11 comments:

Sal said...

I feel pretty much the same way as you do about the manic "shopping for shopping's sake" that goes on this time of year. If you're doing the donations thing, I'd like you to add a charity that helps third world kids get an education to your list.

I've enjoyed reading your blog this year - I hope you have a lovely Christmas, and all the best for 2007

Robert Hogan said...

Does my production fund count as a charity?

I think that's a wonderful Christmas gift you are offering. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Lianne said...

Merry Christmas MaryAn. Look forward to reading more great posts here in 07!

E.C. Henry said...

Marry Ann,

Don't get too bogged down in the commercialism of Christmass. Our giving of gifts are a mere reflection of the Heavely Father giving the ultimate gift of His Son to us. The "gimm-gimme" of Christmass is just a reminder of our selfish, fallen nature.

In keeping with the true meaning of season, I suggest you really listen the lyrics of Christmass music. Christmass is a time when the Heavens are open and angels interact with men. Christmass is an event of the fantastic: God's plan of salvation coming to mankind in the humble state of a manger.

Don't let Satan's inroads into diluting the meanig of this season rob you of your joy.

Jesus is the reason for the season. And His birth is STILL worth celebrating some 2000 years later.

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

Anonymous said...

MaryAn,

Any charity is fine... I trust you.

Merry Christmas!

Unk

Adam Renfro said...

Thanks for all the super fantastico posts this year, MaryAn!

Plus this is a fine thing you are doing with this post!

See you in 07.

adam

wcdixon said...

Happy holidays...all the best.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas.

Five months until Nicholl.

MaryAn Batchellor said...

EC, I love Christmas music and the meaning of Christmas which, most people forget, is reconciliation. It's what we've done to Christmas that I loathe.

potdoll said...

Merry Christmas MaryAn. You've inspired me to make a donation to Breast cancer, my fave charity. x

MaryAn Batchellor said...

Marvelous!