Just Say No

I am the Grinch who stole Christmas. More specifically, I am the horrible person who signed up to be a Secret Santa for a foster child and then emailed the lady and backed out. I know. I’m awful.

Here’s what happened. I assumed that being a Secret Santa meant buying one gift for a child. I was wrong. They sent me a specific list of seven presents I was to buy for this kiddo. I thought, well, that’s an awful lot of presents, and I don’t agree with inundating children with stuff, but okay.

Then I went to Target, filled with good intentions and serious misgivings, only to find that the first item on the list cost $60. Sixty bucks! That is more money than I have ever spent on a Christmas present for anyone. I thought, well, maybe it’s a fluke and the rest of the list is less expensive. Nope. Turned out that item wasn’t even the most expensive gift on the list (the list of seven things, remember). I went home, hopped on the internet and totaled it up. Buying everything on that list, through the cheapest website I could find, would cost over two hundred and fifty dollars!!!

Oh, and the child who would be the recipient of this insane load of presents? He’s two. Two years old. Have you ever seen a two year old on Christmas morning? They have more fun playing with the wrapping paper than the presents. I have so much sympathy for a child who has been harmed and removed from his parents’ care. But spending a month’s worth of grocery money on a load of presents for a two year old is just absurd.

So yes, I’m the Grinch. The Grinch who thinks kids these days have too many toys and not enough imagination and space to play. The Grinch who thinks Americans spend money in agonizingly irresponsible ways, especially during the holidays. The Grinch who refuses to believe that spending $250+ on one kid's Christmas is wise or helpful.

I’m still searching for cost-effective ways to serve this Christmas. I’ll keep you posted!