In 2013, I wrote an article for Yahoo! about what it's like when you can't afford to buy Christmas gifts for your family. While the economy is improving, I know that many families are still hurting, so in honor of them, and the journey that I have been on these past few years, I am republishing my original post, here, on my own blog. I hope that it helps others that are struggling to know that they are not alone, and that like the old proverb says, "tough times don't last, but tough people do."
As Americans, each of us has a story of obstacles that we have overcome, it is part of our national identity I believe, and part of being human. If you have a story of a difficult Christmas that you have experienced in the past, or are experiencing now, why not share it with our readers in the comments section below?
Originally published on Yahoo, for Christmas 2012:
I lost my job of seven years a little over 20 months ago during the "Great Recession." I exhausted all of my unemployment benefits this past spring, and while I've been able to pick up some extra cash doing some freelance writing and my husband is still employed, it has been a very tough year financially. We've been struggling just to keep the lights on and keep from losing our home. Struggling to pay our bills makes it even more difficult to cope with unemployment and underemployment. There simply is not any money for Christmas gifts this year.
I know the true spirit of Christmas is not about how many gifts are under the tree, and even though my children are older and can understand, it still hurts to not be able to give them even a moderately priced gift. This year, I scoured some local used book sales and an area Goodwill to buy a few books by their favorite authors at $1 to $2 a piece to have at least something to wrap up for them, and I can't help but feel ashamed that I can't do more.
I have two beloved young nieces that I don't get see very often that I normally splurge on at Christmas, as I love to see how excited they are to unwrap their gifts from us. This year, not only will there not be gifts, we don't even have the gas money to go see them.
We've only had one other difficult Christmas that we couldn't afford gifts, back when I had cancer and my children were very young -- and a co-worker's family and friends surprised us all by adopting my children for Christmas that year. I am still grateful for their generosity, but it still hurts to be in that situation.
We've only had one other difficult Christmas that we couldn't afford gifts, back when I had cancer and my children were very young -- and a co-worker's family and friends surprised us all by adopting my children for Christmas that year. I am still grateful for their generosity, but it still hurts to be in that situation.
I know many other families are going through this same situation. I know I should be thankful my children are older and understand. I know I should be more thankful for what I do have -- but knowing this doesn't take away the pain, and the shame, that I feel at not being able to afford to do more for my family this year.
Still, despite these difficult financial circumstances, I find that I am grateful this Christmas. While there will not be any presents under our tree this year, or likely a tree at all, I am thankful for my friends and family, and the love and wisdom that they share, that makes it possible to weather this season with joy and peace in my heart. Sometimes, the best gift that you can give yourself during the holidays is simple gratitude.
Photo Credit: jpoirrier
Still, despite these difficult financial circumstances, I find that I am grateful this Christmas. While there will not be any presents under our tree this year, or likely a tree at all, I am thankful for my friends and family, and the love and wisdom that they share, that makes it possible to weather this season with joy and peace in my heart. Sometimes, the best gift that you can give yourself during the holidays is simple gratitude.
Photo Credit: jpoirrier
