Oma: Wish List Vs. Shopping List

The twelfth month has begun and in a few days, the festive season will set in. Christmas came early with the black Friday sales, as most stores tried to attract the attention of prospective buyers with discounts and promos. I must confess that they were very tempting offers but my credit card refused to be tempted because, I am not an impulsive shopper.

I grew up with an accountant who made me write a list for everything that I ever wanted. Now, it has become a habit for me to use a list as a guide for all that I do.  I start by making a wish list (it contains all that I need and all that I want) and begin to sort them out in the order of importance, stating my needs first.  Eventually, I build a shopping list out of the wish list which makes the wish list, a major guide for me.

A wish list is a list of things that you long for, which you may or may never get. For instance, a teenager could wish that he could own a Bentley. It is a wish and he or she could have it or most likely, never get it. If his parents were some wealthy folks, the teenager could request a Bentley as his or her next Christmas gift and the teenager’s parents will oblige him or her. But if your parents are still struggling to pay rent and are not sure if you will be having turkey for Christmas, that wish stays at the point where it was thought out from or could manage to move an inch further by getting out from your mind to a piece of paper or memo pad and forms your wish list.

On the other hand, a shopping list is a more factual list that you put up having your available resources in mind. The shopping list is an accurate shopping guide which everyone is advised to follow judiciously to avoid running into debt especially as the festive shopping begins. A lot of stores will tempt you with some outrageous offers but your ability to stay disciplined will enable you to look beyond the sales and focus on things that you truly need.  Life is beautiful when your wishes come true but it comes with a heavy cost when you go all out to make a wish come true and neglect what is needed.

For this Christmas, I have drawn a wish list since the beginning of last month with over ten items on it. However, my shopping list features only two items. Until I have been able to get these two items, I have no plans to look at the items on the wish list. This is a very difficult decision for many to make but you can. All you need to do is, constantly remind yourself that, though the new year is a new digit, the responsibilities which you had before the festive seasons will still be there. The income which you had before the festive season is still the same except your company chooses to promote you on the first day of the new year. Everyone will also be as broke as you are if they have also spent the festive season shopping like you did. These thoughts will help you to remain within your budget for your shopping list.

Besides the shopping and the wishes earlier stated, my ultimate Christmas wish is to be able to provide for as many as I can. There are lots of people who are not sure what Christmas would be like for them. I must do the little I can to see that I put a smile on the face of someone. Only then can I be truly satisfied for that is the reason for Christmas. Christmas is a time to show love, a time to give and a time to heal. No matter the amount of concerts we attend this season and all the goodies we get ourselves, if we fail to touch a life, our Christmas will be incomplete. There are a number of groups out there with charity activities for the season. All you need to do is join the resources you have with any of these groups and make a difference in the life of someone.

What is on your wish list and  what will make it to your shopping list?

Photo Credit: Dreamstime | Alanpoulson