‘Tis the season to be jolly
FOR popular singer and actor Rory Booth, Christmas is one of the biggest highlights of the year for his family.
From the gatherings split across relatives’ homes to planning how to manage gifting, it’s a major deal.
He offers some practical advice on how to manage big family gatherings and gifting, without breaking the bank. Booth also shares gifting trends for the festive season.
“The big thing for the Booth family is usually spread across two families. We spend the first half of the day with my mom’s side of the family and the second with my dad’s side. At the centre of our double Christmas celebration is food,” he laughs.
“After church in the morning, we usually skip breakfast knowing that we need the space for the delicious Christmas cuisine that we’ll be indulging in. The eating trickles into the next day, while we fellowship with family and friends, some of whom we only get to see during Christmas. The highlight of Christmas is the quality time spent with them.”
Speaking on how to get around the stress of gifting, he said: “Our family always talks about gifting beforehand and we either decide on whether or not we will be buying gifts, or we set a gift budget that everyone must adhere to. Sometimes we even look at bigticket items that the whole family can benefit from and we chip in to make it a family Christmas present.
“The kids in the family are excluded from any gift debates and constraints.”
He said no matter what gift was presented, the age-old saying “it’s the thought that counts” comes into play.
“However, one can see when no thought was put into a gift. You don’t have to spend hundreds and thousands for a gift to be great. You just have to know who you’re buying for and it will make them smile.
“When you’re gifting, gift with love in your heart, failing which you just shouldn’t do it for the sake of gift giving.”