Christmas crisis

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

“If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.”

(Quotation from Facebook Application, Quotes of Life)

The quote was saying something to me, and the literal meaning was really fitted for the incoming holiday, the Christmas. I found that quote when I was lurking on one of the Facebook applications. I could relate on the literal meaning for I didn’t have enough money to buy gift for my family, friends and closest friends. As much as I wanted to be liked Santa Claus to them, I couldn’t because of the financial problem. From the quote’s literal meaning, memories and my goodness to them could be counted as my gift for them for I didn’t have money to buy; that I would count their good deeds and love to me so I could feel rich in return.

Saying the truth, for the families of persons that belong in the middle class of the society wouldn’t be able to have a great Christmas if they wouldn’t spend lots of money, that they wouldn’t feel the satisfaction of gift-giving in Christmas if they failed to give all their friends and relatives a gift or gifts. Meaning, Christmas now wouldn’t be that fun and memorable if you would not burn thousand of money you had, spending it all just for this one big day. That was how we celebrated every single holiday we had in the calendar, not just in Christmas.

However, my journal this time was pointing about “How to have money or to save money to prepare for the Christmas?” The money would not all be granted to my friends, but also to myself. I had lots of stuffs listed, arranged from the most wanted up to the not so needed, that I was planning to buy. At least half on the list were bought. I am a compulsive buyer, I buy the things that catch my attention, but that was the time that I had enough money to support my compulsiveness. But, it was different from where I am now. I wasn’t saying that I was poor this time, but, I could feel that the money I got would not fit my wants and need, and that was my burden, on how to make it fit for the gift-buying expense. As much as I wanted to have a part-time job or much better if I worked over the net, just doing some research or so, but I couldn’t because my studies would be at risk if that happened. Besides, I am still in minor age, there would no work would accept me. The only thing I knew was to wait for my Christmas allowance from my parents, and some red cards from my Ninong and Ninang or any other relatives. They were my only source this time, and of course, my daily allowance.

I knew that I wasn’t oblige to give gifts to others for I still don’t have a good job to earn my own money, however, gift was somehow a symbolism of thanking and appreciating your loved ones that was being shown just once in a year. As much as I wanted to consider my kindness and love to them as my gift, I couldn’t help myself to feel ashamed.

I had 17 more days to save and to know how to earn more money. This year, I became more money-conscious, that I asked myself if I was also a victim of lacking in budget or was it really the goods and items increased its prices.

I hope that before the Christmas, it will rain money so that I could have enough to give them gifts they wanted, and for one day I would be their Santa.

                                “It’s the thought that counts…” (Still quotation of poor ones…)