This morning at church I heard about a pastor named Michael Slaughter. He is a very non-traditional minister in a particularly traditional denomination- The United Methodist Church. Slaughter’s church is Ginghamsburg Church and he challenged his Tipp City Ohio members to spend less on Christmas gifts and more on helping others. In particular Slaughter believes (as I happen to believe), that we spend WAY too much on gifts - about $900 on average. As we put up our tree tonight, I was stumbling over presents sent or delivered by family. My wife and I come from large families so we haven’t scratched the surface. Despite my plea to have money donated in our honor to a charitable cause, or to send money or gifts for our  local Dreams for Kids party, the presents will continue to arrive. The people who love us simply want to buy us gifts to show us that they care. Though we instituted a parent one present and stocking rule this year to cut down on excess, the kids will hardly notice a difference. Plus, I’d say that there’s a strong possibility that one of us will break under the marketing machine and buy something our kids really “need”. Americans are just programed to spend and I am, after all, a proud American!

It’s simply ridiculous how much “stuff” we give and receive during the holidays. Slaughter supports cutting whatever you spend on gifts in half and giving what you would spend on gifts to efforts like “The Sudan Project“. Check out their web address to see links and other cool ways they are making a difference. I’d like to hear other ideas that people are doing to spend less and have a bigger impact. What are you doing different this year? What traditions do you or your family have? Do you think Slaughter is off base? Do you think I am the Grinch who Stole Christmas or Mr. Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life?” Should I be banned from Christmas? I think some in my family think so!

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com