It's Christmas Eve and my stocking is effectively empty--trust me, I've periodically checked a few times already. Considering the past year, I could see why I might be on Santa's Naughty list; but I also happen to know that "Santa" loves me unconditionally (and dotes on me appropriately). This must mean my empty stocking and complete absence of a Christmas tree must mean something more; the economic downturn is hitting my family. Now I don't know too much about The Economy that we seem to love talking about these days, (perhaps after econ101 next semester I will be able to sound a bit more inteligible) but the high gas prices and frantic sales from my favorite designers and deparment stores are enough to tell me something is up. What I've failed to accept is that issues with our economy will affect my family; I've missed these hints via phone calls from my mom all semester. I blame being stuck in the middle of one of the wealthiest New England towns and being surrounded by girls from families who can afford to pay $50,000 a year on college tuition and maybe a few Jimmy Choos and Marc Jacobs along the way. Coming back home for break and seeing for myself the stores that have closed down and the new found frugalness of our household, I realize I should give the credit card a well-deserved break. Suprisingly, I've found our new plan for a gift-less Christmas to be easier than I thought. But it does make me wonder if all those years I couldn't go to sleep because of the excitement of tearing open my new gifts or because of the Christmas spirit of family and love.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
No Gifts Please
It's Christmas Eve and my stocking is effectively empty--trust me, I've periodically checked a few times already. Considering the past year, I could see why I might be on Santa's Naughty list; but I also happen to know that "Santa" loves me unconditionally (and dotes on me appropriately). This must mean my empty stocking and complete absence of a Christmas tree must mean something more; the economic downturn is hitting my family. Now I don't know too much about The Economy that we seem to love talking about these days, (perhaps after econ101 next semester I will be able to sound a bit more inteligible) but the high gas prices and frantic sales from my favorite designers and deparment stores are enough to tell me something is up. What I've failed to accept is that issues with our economy will affect my family; I've missed these hints via phone calls from my mom all semester. I blame being stuck in the middle of one of the wealthiest New England towns and being surrounded by girls from families who can afford to pay $50,000 a year on college tuition and maybe a few Jimmy Choos and Marc Jacobs along the way. Coming back home for break and seeing for myself the stores that have closed down and the new found frugalness of our household, I realize I should give the credit card a well-deserved break. Suprisingly, I've found our new plan for a gift-less Christmas to be easier than I thought. But it does make me wonder if all those years I couldn't go to sleep because of the excitement of tearing open my new gifts or because of the Christmas spirit of family and love.
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I'll say it was the Christmas spirit and love :)
ReplyDeleteWhen my parents divorced, Christmas was never really the same. Maybe it was just me getting older. But, every year, I get two Christmases loaded with gifts and food and pageantry. And, each year, I become more disillusioned. It always feels like, even though the gifts are there, we lost somebody in the mad scramble to the Christmas tree. God I love my parents and I love that they try so hard. But... it's just not the same.
Haha, I know I'm horribly late in this comment but I thought you might like to read it anyways. Thanks for subscribing to my blog and I hope I can supplement your Econ 101 class!