No Presents This Christmas

Trey-

This is such a great idea! I've heard about families who do this, or just give each other hand made gifts. I think it's cool that your families starting this tradition because it's so true what you said about "how presents are the key ingredient to most peoples perfect Christmas." People get so caught up in the idea of getting "things" that they forget to be greatful for what they already have. Every year my parents have asked me what I've wanted for Christmas, and while when I was younger I did ask for things, as I reached 13/14 I started telling them I didn't want anything. I feel they give me enough everyday, going to school is a pretty big gift and I'm grateful for having that. Pesonally, I always look at Christmas as a time to be with my family and buy things for others who aren't so fortunate. Usually every year i'll take one of my paychecks and go buy toys or something to donate to that "Toys for Tot's" organization. 

Thanks for the great post!

Katie 
 

Trey,

Like Katie, I have heard of families who have decided that they will not give presents for Christmas and I think it is a wonderful idea. By taking away the materialistic, commercial meaning that Christmas has come to have, you can really focus on the meaning of the holiday: helping those less fortunate and most importantly, spending time with family. Like you said, Christmas should be about being around family, playing games and enjoying each other's company. With Christmas rapidly approaching, my family continuously asks me what I want for Christmas and it is sad but true when I say that I don't want anything! In my extended family, gift giving is a HUGE deal.  People draw names for someone to give gifts to and all of the cousins receive gifts from each family! It is quite the ordeal and I really think people get so caught up in giving gifts that they forget that Christmas really isn't about the gifts or Santa. Next time anyone in my family asks what I want for Christmas, I may suggest a presentless Christmas like your family does and hopefully present an idea that will bring back the true meaning of Christmas in my own family.

- Teresa

Trey,

I really enjoyed reading your post.  I think what your family is doing is a great idea!  Our country nowadays is so materialistic and everybody is worried about whether or not they have the best clothes, the most up-to-date iPod or Mac, the coolest car...everything seems to be about what people feel is necessary to impress their peers.  I get very agitated when I think about the pressure our society is putting on everybody to be perfect and have the "coolest" materials.  Granted, I own an iPod and a cell phone, I still don't see the need to be perfect and own the "fanciest" things.

I admire your family, along with those other families that are participating in this initiative.  I think it is a great way for us to realize that there are many people out there who don't have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas the way we do-with lots of gifts.  It is also a great way to steer away from the materialistic addiction our country has gotten into. 

My favorite quote from your post was: "I want to be around my family, play games and enjoy each other which to me should be the main concern of the day.  I don’t want my holiday to revolve around such a materialistic attitude."  I completely agree with these ideas because Christmas is all about spending time with the ones you love and appreciating them for everything they do for you.  My family loves to play games like yours does and it is a great way for us to enjoy each other's company and to have a good time.  I will have to discuss this idea with my family and see what everyone thinks.  I'm sure they will all agree that it would be a good thing to try.

Thanks for the post!

Chels

Trey,

I loved reading about your post because I think it shows just how materialistic our society is now. Your christmas is what christmas should truly be about, just like you said " I want to be around my family, play games and enjoy each other which to me should be the main concern of the day".

Just like Katie, I sometimes feel a bit guilty about the things my parents buy me for christmas. Most of it is stuff I don't need and they have already given me so much, I feel like I really don't need any more. I think the concern for presents and how much we spend on christmas overshadows the true meaning. Nice Post!

 Trey,

I really respect your family's decision to not give presents for Christmas. I have never heard of anyone deciding to do this, but I think it is a really great idea. As you said, Christmas should be focused on families spending time with each other, not getting gifts. 

In my family, we have always given and received gifts to each other. Because I have gotten presents since I was born, I can't imagine a Christmas without gifts. When I give and receive gifts, it makes me feel happy. For some reason, I feel that Christmas without gifts would not feel natural, the way it should. 

I believe US citizens should eventually shy away from giving gifts. Family is the most important part of Christmas. Thank you for helping me to realize that. 

Dylan

Your post, "No presents This Christmas," caught my attention because I like the idea of not making presents an essential part of Christmas. The true spirit of the holiday is lost when people expect expensive presents everytime. 

One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: "I don't want my holiday to revolve around such a materialistic attitude." I think this is interesting because there are many people who made Christmas lose it's real meaning. Those who have this materialistic attitude are those who don't enjoy Christmas without presents. Christmas should be a holiday to spend with your family and close friends, enjoying each other's presence in a warm room and eating delicious food.

Another sentence that caught my attention was: "I want to be around my family, play games and enjoy each other which to me should be the main concern of the day." This stood out for me because it also makes me think about how some family can't afford presents each Christmas but can still enjoy their holidays because the meaning of Christmas isn't a holiday in which only presents are exchanged.

I do agree with you that Christmas can be celebrated without presents. One reason I say this is because the true meaning of the holiday is lost if focusing just on materialistic things. Another reason I agree with you is presents come in different forms, they don't have to be neccessarily expensive and store bought. Homemade gifts are also an optiont that are heartfelt and often more appreciated.

Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because I found a lot of similarities between your thoughts and my own.