Christmas has never been a big consumerist deal for me.

Growing up, Christmas was all about Jesus. Growing old, Christmas has always been primarily for my son, and a time of year to share friendship, family and fun. I don’t think there’s ever been a present over $100, and everyone brings a plate to Nana and Pop’s for a traditional but not ostentatious Christmas lunch. None of us are rich, but we are in spirit and as whanau.

There’s never been a Christmas tree higher than 1ft, if one at all, with decorations that were 90% off last Boxing Day. And lights – well – with foster kittens and energy-saving Greenies, they weren’t even an option. But the house is buzzing – humming with both furry and human love and kindness. Far more precious than twinkling lights.

Santa’s fun, but he’s not real, and my son’s known that since he was old enough to understand it. He hasn’t ever received everything he wanted for Christmas – but that’s ok with him because he always gets 1 or 2 things on his list and was brought up to never expect it all.

We don’t brave the Warehouse and malls in the week up til Christmas getting grouchy with crowds and desperate to find a car park. My presents come from TradeMe, are hand-knitted or sewn with love and intention, or collected throughout the year.

While most spend this time of year madly shopping, planning 4 course dinners and hoping their soufflé shows up Auntie Mary’s from last year, we chill out. And even if I landed a job with a great pay check, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Because Christmas isn’t about money, it’s about love and companionship, about sharing and caring.

Which is why I get really frustrated with what I see happen to our poor and vulnerable at Christmas.

The HomeDirect trucks are doing a fine trade down my Housing NZ area street this month. The extra they add onto what they sell is obscene – and when it’s the only way you can get presents – what else can you do but get into insane debt?

Likewise, the lower tier lending companies do a roaring trade at this time of year, with their equally obscene interest rates, penalty payments, and now open threats of violence and retribution.

More lonely shut-ins, recluses, the sick, and the elderly will suffer alone through yet another Christmas after being long-forgotten, or given up on. Many Christchurch citizens face another Christmas of uncertainty and hopelessness. Christmas is also a popular time of year to shut down businesses or lay off staff – leaving families in total crisis after years of loyal service with nothing for Christmas.

And as usual, the food banks are dry, the shelters are full, and more than ever will turn up to various charity free Christmas lunches and dinners across our lush, produce-laden ‘paradise’. And it’s even getting so bad out there that food banks themselves have been robbed and cleaned out. This Christmas is going to be tough for many of us.

For those of us who can make their Christmas’s a bit cheaper, a bit less commercial, a bit less big deal – please consider it. You might find it far more rewarding.

Do you have an elderly neighbour you’ve noticed never has any visitors? Time to set another place at the Christmas table. Instead of stuffing ones face then collapsing to sleep off the food, why not tidy up then head down to the City Mission and help hand out dinner. Kids that have an avalanche of gifts? Consider teaching them to pay it forward. Doing a massive Christmas shop? Buy a bit less for you and a bit more for the food bank. Hearing fights in a house down the street that are getting louder, more frequent and violent as Christmas nears? Wait til the perp is out and go ask – are you ok? Have space in your home and enough love in your heart to foster kittens or puppies for the SPCA at our busiest, most crammed time of year? Ring your local shelter or rescue organisation.

These aren’t exactly new suggestions. But they say in politics that when you’ve said it 400 times, remember many are still hearing it for the first… so if this blog can get even one more Christmas time volunteer I’m a happy gal.

If wishes were real and actually made things come true, my Christmas wish this year is that this lovely family get to spend this Christmas together – Mum, dad, and the 3 kids. Loving each other and spending precious moments together. Just for one day. Many more would be great too – but please universe – give them Christmas.
This family’s heroic struggle certainly puts Santa, fairy lights and expensive presents into perspective, doesn’t it.

I hope you have a great Christmas and enjoy spending your holiday with those you love.