Why I'm Spending Less This Christmas

​The Christmas shopping season has begun! Some people love shopping so much that after eating their Thanksgiving meal, they head straight to the stores. I head straight to my couch.
 
Others prefer to relax on Thanksgiving day, but the next day, they love waking up before the sunrises in order to get the “Doorbuster” savings on “Black Friday.” You know what I love to do the day after Thanksgiving? Sleep in.
 
Some people love to brave the crowds and get excited to spend hours shopping. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I am not one of those people. When I shop, I usually know exactly what I want and try to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible. And if I can find it online and have it directly shipped to me, even better! 

Even though I don’t love to shop, when I do need to go to a store, Target is at the top of my list. Every time I go there, it feels like a huge accomplishment just to walk past the Dollar Spot without buying anything.
 
Today (the day after Black Friday), I decided to go to Target in hopes of getting a new pair of slippers. When I arrived, it was the calm after the storm. Not many people were there, but the toys and electronics departments looked like a tornado had gone through them. Employees were quickly working to try to re-stock the shelves. Aisles were nearly impassible, because carts of new merchandise were waiting to be unboxed. Hundreds of boxes were already broken down where the shelves were now full again.
 
As I stood there holding my pair of slippers, I was overwhelmed by all the stuff surrounding me. The excess.
 
It’s easy to believe the lie that the more we have, the happier we’ll be. That’s why it’s hard to pass up a great sale. That’s why we think we need the most updated version of a product. That’s why once we hit a certain income level, we start looking at the next level.
 
Sure it feels great to buy something new, but that excitement eventually wears off. Material things often bring us temporary happiness. What if this holiday season, we focused our time, energy, and resources to do something that would make a lasting impact?
 
For the past several years, I have participated in the Christmas Conspiracy at my church. The goal is to: Spend less, give more, worship fully, love all.  
 
I still give gifts, but the Christmas Conspiracy helps me focus more on relationships – relationships with those around me and my relationship with God.
 
I would much rather spend time and create memories with loved ones than get something that will take up space on a shelf or hang in my closet.
 
This holiday season, I encourage you to spend a little less, so you can give a little more.
 
Instead of being overwhelmed by credit card debt, let’s overwhelm others with our love and generosity. Who wants to join me?
 
If you would like to find out more about The Christmas Conspiracy, click HERE.