Holiday shopping is upon us

BY: FAZAAD BACCHUS

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in the old man’s hat! Well, it is that time again, the time when carols ring and your worries are put away for a little while. Gosh, how I miss the parang though! In as much as a white Christmas is beautiful, the Lara Brothers blasting away in St James is quite the moment to behold. And don’t forget how many Christmas cards you looked over just to find the right one for your special friend (you know I mean the girlfriend).

But of course, my articles are meant to be financial in nature, so enough reminiscing of Christmas cards and the good old parang days. Let’s talk about life in Canada and shopping galore. This year again you will be spending money on toys, new toys, and as customary the many gift exchanges from offices to home. This is a season of spending! It brings good feelings, and no one should take that away from you. But my article is to advise you on spending wisely.

The first rule is that if the gift is cheap, it is quickly used up or quickly forgotten. But how can Grandma afford to buy four expensive for her four grandkids? It’s just too much! And normally those four kids will each receive gifts from both sets of grandparents, and their parents. This means that each child may end up with three or four gifts! This is wrong! Each child should be given one expensive and good quality gift where the money is contributed by all giving parties. This way the child does not favor one parent or grandparent over the other and cherishes his gift.

It’s hard to buy what you want, it’s what the in thing is for kids. Could I tell my child that a tablet is not good for him, that he should run and play? I would like to, but all his friends have one. But still I must choose carefully, what games is he playing, and how is he interacting with his new toy. Is he learning to value it, or is it just another commodity? These values that we teach kids about their toys are priceless, the values and the sacrifice that goes into buying things for them must not be taken for granted.

Here’s an idea, take your child to the bank and open a savings account for him. Let him see the first deposit is from you, let him hold the book knowing that his money is in the bank. Teach him that when he does chores at home, he can earn money to deposit into his account. Let him know that at Christmas time and at birthdays he will have an extra special amount again so that he could deposit in his account and you will see the value of such an action over time.

Little things mean a lot and charity begins at home. Teach a child values when he is young and when he is old, he will not depart from it; some of you are very familiar with this verse. I urge you to spend quality time with your family this Christmas and give your children the gift that is greater than all, your love and time.