The looming 4th wave of COVID infections and the massive rise in the cost of living gives us the opportunity to have a different kind of Christmas. An opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of this significant and most holy day, writes Gasant Abarder in a new #SliceofGA.
Abarder, who recently launched his book, Hack with a Grenade, is among the country’s most influential media voices. Catch his weekly column here, exclusive to Cape {town} Etc.
Black Friday has come and gone and had one tempted. Then it was Cyber Monday and retailers, not having had their stocking fill yet, kept sending badly marketed non-bargains on the socials to heighten the temptation.
As I deleted spam emails with specials without opening them, I reminded myself of one of the many sayings of my good friend Robin Adams: “Lead me not into temptation. I can get there on my own!”
Exactly a week after Black Friday it must have been Buyers’ Remorse Friday. Fact is, we shouldn’t deck the malls with piles of money (with apologies for this poor Christmas song pun). The petrol price is insane and the cost of electricity – even with Eskom continuing its rolling blackouts and a substandard service – doesn’t want to be left out.
To top it off, during the pandemic, the price of household goods has rocketed while salaries have either been slashed or remained static. In the worst-case scenario, millions have lost their jobs and breadwinners their lives.
It may indeed be the most vulnerable time of the year with a 4th COVID wave lurking. And everything is so dear. (Okay, no more cheesy puns or the editor of Cape {town} Etc is likely to fire me!)
If you’re lucky – unlike me – to have an end-of-year bonus cheque, then don’t spend it all in one place. Be smart about buying gifts – if at all. The extra cash should be spent settling as much debt so you can enter 2022 with an improved disposable income.
Of course, it is a time for family and for giving. And the best gift right now is quality time with loved ones. The 4th wave will keep those of us who adhere to rules at home and the opportunity to reflect on what Christmas is really about and whose birthday it really is. Hint: it’s not Santa’s birthday!
The commercialisation of Christmas often makes us forget the true meaning. Even if you’re not religious or of the Christian faith, it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. For a Muslim family like mine we observe and celebrate Christmas because our family is multicultural, with my wonderful in-laws having had a major role in educating me about the significance of the holiday.
But even growing up, my late gran used to have a Christmas eve occasion where each of her 33 grandchildren would go home with a sackful of gifts and a feast, courtesy of the goodies she bought and stashed every Saturday at Wellington Fruit Growers of Darling Street. She saved up the entire year for the event and it was the best fun ever.
In the same way, my parents certainly knew how to stretch a rand as we were growing up. We didn’t always get what we wanted but most certainly got everything we needed. My dad, a truck driver, and my mom, a sample machinist, used to split their monthly salaries into weekly packages in white envelopes to see them and us four kids through the month.
Now we have access to overdrafts, credit cards and revolving credit facilities. The temptation is real to splurge. Don’t do it.
Like our parents with much less, get creative. My kids often play with a toy for a few days before it gets discarded. This time, we’re going to teach them the real spirit of Christmas and giving.
A few ideas? Cook a pot of food if you’re by the means and let the kids help feed the homeless. Buy a few extra tiny trinkets and let them come along to drop them off at an orphanage. But mostly, forget about cash and spend time playing board games, watching Christmas movies or enjoying the many free and beautiful sights in our city.
This Christmas, the biggest gift we can give ourselves and our family is to stay safe. Stay at home and try to avoid getting COVID. If you haven’t been vaccinated, then get the jab as your gift to yourself. The best thing? It’s free.
Many are not by the means to celebrate Christmas the way they’re used to. Many are not by the means to celebrate Christmas at all.
If you don’t have the luxury of a bonus and still able to get by, then don’t fret. If you manage to stay healthy, alive and able to keep the bank account in the black, then you’re already winning. It may yet turn out to be the best Christmas ever.
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Picture: Unsplash