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So, I watched “What Would Jesus Buy” a few days ago and while it is certainly easy to look at “Reverend Billy” as an over-the-edge nutjob, I have to say that there are some serious points that the movie makes.

Basically, why can’t we show each other love without giving expensive gifts during the holidays?    I know we can!  But this is what we’ve been taught to do.  Let’s challenge this convention this year, shall we?

In these “tough economic times,” I ask one thing of everyone this year:  Feel no obligation to get anyone in my family a present.  If you come across something that strikes you and you think “my goodness, Andrea would love that!” or “I know that Timothy would really enjoy playing with that.”  then by all means, feel free to purchase it.  We will receive it with joy.   If, however, you can’t think of anything–please don’t feel bad!  We want for nothing (save a new car that will safely seat 5–but that’s ours to buy ).   Timothy has as much fun playing with a piece of yarn and BROKEN toys in the back yard as he does the brand new toys that he got for his birthday.   Bethany can still have fun with an empty soda bottle.  I might be the worst off and I still can’t think of anything that I especially want–and CERTAINLY nothing I need this year.

So, save yourself the trouble.   I am ASKING anyone that would feel the need to buy a gift for me (or a member of my family) to NOT feel that obligation.  We are not doing this to save money since we will still gladly find a gift of some sort or another to give to our friends and next of kin–and I’m not asking for reciprocation either.  I simply want you to imagine that we would be JUST as happy to sit and visit with you (anyone reading this) and have a nice meal as we would receive some tangible gift.  If you decide that you simply cannot accept my request to feel no obligation, but you can’t come up with something, then take a card and write in it : “One Nice Visit.”   It is possibly my favorite gift.   And all it costs is a little of your time.

Americans will, out of necessity, be curbing their shopping this year.   Maybe it will help us get back to things that matter more.