I've never really been one to celebrate the holidays, especially Christmas. I've found that the entire season to be one giant sales spree. It's turned into a season of greed. Regardless of where you go, everyone is trying to get your money. From the sales in the big box stores, to the bell ringers who stand outside in the cold collecting change. And yes, before you say anything, I know the Salvation Army does good. I just wish they, like other organizations, would push harder through the rest of the year, instead of focusing on one season.
My main issue with the holidays, are people. Wherever you turn, "I want this" or "This is going on my list." And when the lusted after item isn't on their list, the get upset.
The greed and heartlessness of people was something I experienced firsthand yesterday. I currently work for a Temp agency, and, we decided to do an agency-wide Secret Santa. We pulled names out of a hat, and bought our gifts accordingly.
One problem. My hours fluctuate, so, on this last paycheck, I only had two days, due to the Thanksgiving week. Now, by no means am I a rich woman. Exactly the opposite. I'm struggling to make ends meet. My husband has trouble holding a job, so he stays home with our daughter, and I work. The job of supporting the family falls squarely on my shoulders. So, with only two days on my paycheck, I had to talk to my landlord, and see if he would let me push back paying my rent to the middle of the month. My bills are late (not so late that they're going to be shut off) and, if it weren't for food stamps, we'd starve.
When Secret Santa rolled around, I did the best I could. The items on the woman's list were as follows:
Pink Fuzzy House Slippers (Size 11)
MAC Lipstick
Bath and Body Works Foaming Hand Soap
Now, as I'm sure you figured out, I can't afford any of those at the moment. So, I did the best I could. I bought her pink fuzzy socks, and used my foodstamps to buy a wide array of candy, as well as some cupcakes, and took a poultry tin, decorated it by hand, placed the cupcakes inside in a design, and spread the candy around to hold the cupcakes in place. I then attatched a bow and the socks to the lid, and decorated it a bit more. Once all was said and done, I was proud of my work, and thought it was something that anyone would be pleased to get.
At the party, I presented it to my Secret Santa, and was greeted, not with the look of happiness and thanks I expected, but with disgust. After the party was winding down, she told me this, a line that is sure to stick with me.
"Just so you know, I'm diabetic and can't do sweets. But I'll bring this to the office tomorrow so evreyone else can have some. Did you not get my list?"
With a heavy heart, I explained my situation, and why I couldn't get her what was on her list.
To which she replied, in a tone that made my heart sink...
"Well, it's the thought that counts."
Her tone said "Well, this shit is useless to me..."
This made me realize just how greedy people can be. They don't see the work that goes into gift giving, especially from someone in my situation.
What's funny is, everything on my Secret Santa list were things I could actually use...
Diapers for my daughter
Amazon.com gift cards
Walmart gift cards
Things that would actually come in handy.
I was quite grateful to the person who chose me as their Secret Santa, as I got enough diapers to last two months. And, as anyone with a two year old can tell you, you go through diapers rather quickly.
People have forgotten the -REAL- reason for the Season. It's not gift giving, and no, before you say it, it's not the birth of Jesus. Historical records have shown that Jesus was born in early April.
The real reason for the season is togetherness. Yet, in these days, it's turned into greed.
Can't we just go back to celebrating our love for eachother, and not be greedy about it?
