How the GFC affected our Christmas

As this is the Christmas season, I thought a post of giving and receiving might be relevant.

I am experiencing this whole thing from a different perspective this year. I have always been the generous one, inviting people over for dinners and buying little gifts or doing things for the people I love.

But this year is different. This year, due to the effects of the GFC, my hubby's business went bust. This meant an immediate cut in income and it happened in late November. Talk about timing.

So this year, our Christmas was a little different. All unnecessary gift giving has been put on hold indefinitely, and even our gifts to each other has been cut off except for a very minimal budget which is just enough to get a little something under the tree.

There was no gingerbread houses, no twinkle lights to decorate the house, and no big Christmas day turkey roast. No new Christmas day outfits, and the only holiday we are taking is a few nights camping, just to feel like we are getting away for a bit.

But despite it all and despite the fact that I really love Christmas and shopping and buying people big fantastic awesome presents, I am learning all this extra stuff is not really important. Wow, I feel like I should be in a cheesy Christmas movie or something! But really and truly, that's not what its all about.

All our friends and family have been amazingly outstanding in this time and really come through for us, surprising us with bags of groceries, or slipping $50 dollar bills into our pockets, or giving an interest free indefinite loan so that we can pay our mortgage. And this is from people who I know don't have a lot to spare themselves. I am continually astounded by the generosity of people, and truly humbled. I am learning the art of graciously accepting gifts, and have realized the importance of relationships and friendships.

So here's me hoping you had a very Merry Christmas, no matter what your financial circumstance, and hope you have kept in perspective what the true meaning behind the season really is..