Lessons from under the Christmas tree

It has been more than a week after the crazy rush of Christmas past. That’s ample time to figure out the lessons that can be gleaned from under the Christmas tree.

Which gifts have you truly found enjoyable and useful? Which ones were a waste of money and time? Did the price tag matter? Come on…honestly?

I found myself thinking about these questions as I took down the tree and wondered about my Christmas spending and plans to begin saving for the 2009 holidays. Here are some realizations that surprised me (or maybe they shouldn’t have??):

1. Children end up spending as much time with small, inexpensive little toys as with expensive ones. The miniature little toy guns went sleeping on the same favored spot as the walking, expensive Iron Man action figure. Long after the shiny remote control cars lost their luster, broken little mobile phone toys are still tucked into tiny pockets when they go to the neighborhood park! Could it be that when we buy toys as gifts, they are actually for the child in us, that’s why we end up overspending?
2. Recycling gifts, when done properly, can save you a lot of money. Some still find it distasteful and perhaps that’s because of the way it’s done. For one, at least remove the original tag or something that has your name engraved on it, for goodness sake, and don’t give away something you’ve used—even once. That doesn’t hold true, though, for electronics like giving a used laptop to a relative who can’t afford to buy a new one, or big items like a second-hand refrigerator. (Give me a second hand car anytime!) Second, I spend a lot of time matching the gift with the right person. At least, find someone who will not give the item to someone else (what if it finds its way to the original giver!).
3. Gifts that show careful thought, time and effort are the ones that really bring pleasure to the receiver. My husband’s surprise Ipod Touch gift was a sure hit with me because now I can read Bloomberg and New York Times wherever I am (you know how mommies always get stuck waiting for the doctor, waiting for an appointment, waiting for the children to finish THEIR appointments etc.) It’s my latest prized possession! But the gift could also be a trip, an experience, a scrapbook page, something you made yourself—and they don’t have to have a high price tag. (Have you heard that the Brangelina family members don’t give store-bought gifts to each other?)
4. It’s of course nice to feel remembered during the Christmas holidays, but I find that giving expensive gifts outside the family circle is totally overrated. Having to give gifts just because you are reciprocating or to join the bandwagon is absolutely NOT a good reason to get into debt. So, if the bank account shows there’s no room for gifts, then that’s that and just put a big smile on your face and real warmth in the verbal greeting. You’re not about to cross someone off your friend list just because you didn’t get anything last Christmas, are you?

On a side note, the Brodett story might be fodder for tabloids or soap operas, but they show an ugly side to family finance that is unfortunately too common in society. How do you deal with family disagreements over money? Or inheritance, for that matter?

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