Frustrated with Christmas
I recently received an e-mail from my sister-in-law asking what I wanted from Christmas. Several years ago our family decided to exchange names as it was too difficult to buy gifts for everyone. This year my younger brother Bob got my name.
Each year it is also a struggle for us to decide what to get each other. Price isn’t a problem as we agreed to spend up to $75. The problem is that we both have everything we want. During the year if there is anything we need or want, we simply go buy it. As a result, the gifts we exchange are typically things we really don’t want or need. It’s pretty much wasted money. My younger brother has had my name for the last several years and now I own every Star Wars movie on DVD. My brother is a huge Star Wars fan and he just assumed that everyone should own this series.
So this year I decided to suggest that rather than buy gifts for each other, we research needs around the world and then give our gifts toward that need. Here’s the e-mail string and the discouraging response. I’m not sharing this to be mean-spirited as my brother doesn’t even know that my blog exists. I’m sharing this just to vent my frustration at Christmas, overindulgence, selfishness, and laziness.
Please note that my brother proclaims to be a Christian so I just assumed that he’d love the idea. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
e-mail 1: (from me to Bob’s wife)
“Hey Jen,
Here’s what I’d like for Christmas. I would like you and your family to determine an amount to give away that would be considered sacraficial giving for your family. I’m talking about an after-tax benefit sacrafice. Once you determine the amount, share it with our family and we will match it.
As two families, we will separately and carefully research the charitable needs around the world (Ed & Joy do not count) and then give the money away. At Christmas time, our families will share the research and who was ultimately helped.
What do you think?
Mike”
e-mail 2 (Bob’s response)
“How about I get you a dictionary for x-mas so you can learn how to spell the word “sacrifice”……
An arrangement as outlined below violates the rules of the Sajdak family gift exchange. Section 5.2.7a of the family gift exchange code reads as follows: Gifts purchased via the family gift exchange will be for the recipient’s personal use, well being & general enjoyment.
Interpretation: Get a life and provide a list. Otherwise, be prepared for the consequences of receiving useless crap you don’t want.”
