Obligatory Gift-Giving is an unhealthy practice!

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa

There are only 11 days left until Christmas – the big gift-exchange day!

It seems there’s a national observance for almost everything. Just last week, I came across National Regifting Day - a lighthearted observance, held on the Thursday before Christmas (December 18), encouraging re-gifting unwanted but usable presents to others who might appreciate them. Originally centered on office parties, this day has its own rules: rewrap the gift and avoid regifting handmade items. The day became official in Colorado in 2008.

I like the Christmas story, but reading about National Regifting Day left me shaking my head and wondering: “Is this what the holiday has become? Are we so obsessed with buying gifts that we need to create another holiday to justify our over-consumption? How did we get from the Christmas story’s gift – the birth of Jesus, symbolizing God's gifts of love, peace, joy, hope, transformation, and salvation – to compulsive buying?”

Here’s my take on Christmas gift giving: Much of it has become “Obligatory Gift-Giving” driven by societal pressure or the expectation to give presents to certain people - even when the desire isn’t genuine.

This obsession to buy stuff at Christmas stems from several factors: cultural traditions – gift giving is simply what you do during the holidays; the expectation to return a gift if you are given one; fear of being judged harshly or hurt feelings if you don’t give; and the need to maintain a certain social status.

Many of us have a long list of people to give to at Christmas – family, partners, friends, coworkers, children's teachers, and service providers. It can be a burdensome obligation that causes undue stress and financial strain. And the sad truth is many gifts are quickly forgotten and may end up in a closet, the trash, or regifted to someone else.  

I’ve had open conversations with my family and friends, explaining why I’m breaking tradition and choosing to share homemade, handmade, meaningful gifts  - without the commercial pressure to make everything happen on one particular day. It’s no surprise that they feel the same way. Enough with obligatory gift-giving; it doesn’t align with what it means to “Be Well.”

As the countdown to Christmas continues, a day when billions will be spent in pursuit of holiday joy, remember that the true gifts of love, peace, joy, hope, and transformation can’t be bought in a store or packed in a box and sealed with the perfect bow.  

So, give yourself permission to set boundaries on gift-giving this year. Keep in mind that gifts born from thoughtfulness - gifts of time, presence, talents, and service - create lasting memories and strengthen relationships.

And should you receive a gift that you can’t use, by all means re-gift it - hoping that it serves as a reminder of the true spirit behind the Christmas story – the gift of love.

Let go of Obligatory Gift-Giving; Be Well!

For additional wellness tips, subscribe to my small change Weekly Wellness Tips at https://www.myrtlerussell.com/contact-us.