A Few Things I Won't Be Doing This Christmas

This year, my family and I will be making a few changes regarding Christmas, in terms of how we will be celebrating it. Mostly it involves stripping anything that deters us from having a stress-free, economically sound Christmas in which we can feel spiritually rejuvenated and celebrate what Christmas means to us. So here are a few things that I will not be doing when December 25 rolls around.

Spending more than I have on gifts that will break or stop creating interest three days after Christmas.

Wasting precious time on deciding which wrapping paper I will use on a $25 gift card for Del Taco.

Supporting the idea that commercialism is what the holidays are all about.

Taking the ribbon off of a shiny new Beamer.

Gorging myself on a wide variety of holiday treats and drinks until I forget what my middle name is.

Walking past the soup kitchen that I know needs volunteers.

Not volunteering anywhere at all.

Believing that a fat man dressed in red will deliver presents to children around the world.

Celebrating retail madness in lieu of the celebrating of the birth of Christ.

Focusing all my attention on gift giving rather than love towards family and friends, and even the people I don't like to make eye contact with.

Pretending to drop change into the Salvation Army's bucket.

Ignoring the man from the Salvation Army.

Pretending that I am on a very important phone call so that I don't have to acknowledge the man from the Salvation Army.

Watching Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, The Little Drummer Boy or any other movie that misses the point.

Feeling let down when I don't get what I want for Christmas.

Lusting after the newest gizmo, video game, or musical instrument.

Expressing a "better than thou" attitude when I see someone celebrate Christmas differently.

Well, that's all I have for now, but I'm sure I can add more things to this list as Christmas nears. I hope that everyone has a fun, safe, meaningful, and enlightening Christmas this year and doesn't compromise on their morals or beliefs to obtain short lived satisfaction. And if you do, well... there's always next year!