“It’s just not the holidays without them!” exclaims an Old Navy modelquin in a 2009 holiday commercial. She is referring to alpine hoodies, without which, in the modelquin world, Christmas apparently just isn’t Christmas. Every year during the holiday season, Americans are inundated by advertising, convincing them they need to spend more and get more than they ever have before. This commercial is a typical ad of the holiday season, created to make consumers think they have to buy the advertised product in order to be happy.
Since the turn of the millennium, Americans have spent an average of $794 on Christmas gifts, according to Gallup Inc. Last year, however, Americans spent about $639 on Christmas gifts, a low number due to the nation’s economic recession. If last year is any indicator, the holiday spending of 2010 will be much the same. To get consumers to buy their products, companies must continue to come up with innovative ways to draw appeal. Perhaps the most well-known tactic of American industry is to go for those who have the most to spend and the least to save—teenagers.
Teenagers are widely regarded as having the most disposable income. Allowances, first jobs and almost zero monetary responsibility open up the wide world of spending to America’s young people. They are being targeted at younger and younger ages, and good money-management skills are being taught less and less often at home.
What’s a youth pastor to do when his or her kids are being assaulted on every side? Especially at Christmastime, kids easily can get sucked into the allure of extravagant spending. After all, it is everywhere; but if kids aren’t taught about the importance of money management while they’re young, they will grow into a debt-ridden, credit card-dependent generation. So how do youth pastors equip their kids with the right tools to fend off these Christmas come-ons?
American industry knows exactly what to do to draw in teens. Kids are growing up faster and faster, thanks to the influence of companies that insist that it’s cool to be an adult. Gap has been running a commercial starring a group of preteen girls, shaking their hips and loudly proclaiming to their parents that they need new clothes. At the midpoint of the commercial, the cute little girls yell, “Not gonna wear it anymore!” This commercial seems to say that if a child complains and pushes enough, she is bound to get what she wants.
There are few Christian organizations that facilitate education for teens on biblical stewardship, but there are some. Crown Financial Ministries exists to teach people everywhere “to learn, apply and teach God’s financial principles so they may know Christ more intimately, be free to serve Him and help fund the Great Commission.” There are also some secular organizations such as Money Savvy Generation, which was founded by Susan and Michael Beacham in 1999 to help parents and teachers give youth a better understanding of fiscal responsibility and a basis for money-management skills.
Money management is a great skill to have during Christmastime. The Barna Group, often called “the leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture,” has researched the effects of Christmastime on Americans. For many Americans, the holidays have become an especially difficult time of year—depression, isolation and alcohol consumption all increase during Christmas. As George Barna puts it, “We transitioned from being a land of the free and the home of the brave to now being the land of the indebted and the home of the self-indulgent. We also shifted from a land that believes you can be all you can be to get all you can get.”
Beware of the Christmas come-ons, which can lure students into a superficial frame of mind. This in turn can lead to depression and low self-esteem, among a host of other struggles. It is not just about good stewardship when it comes to finances; students need to be taught about self-worth, as well.
Jeff Lexvold, director of Middle School Ministries at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn., sees the pressure being applied to his youth. In an effort to keep his students’ minds on the true point of Christmas, Lexvold has chosen to get the group involved in the Advent Conspiracy, a movement created to re-establish the true importance of Christmas. Lexvold has been showing videos from the Conspiracy’s Web site to his youth group and received a lot of positive response from his students.
“I’ve even had parents calling, asking me why their child suddenly doesn’t want anything for Christmas! That’s the true power behind this movement,” says Lexvold. “Worship fully, spend less, give more, love all” is the slogan of the Advent Conspiracy, and Lexvold thinks it perfectly sums up the true meaning of Christmas.
Lexvold’s advice for other youth pastors: “Be simple. Educate your students with Bible verses, reminding them what it’s all about. Jesus would want everyone cared for.”
Money management expert Dave Ramsey created a four-part Bible study called Generation Change that aims to “teach your students about money from a biblical perspective.” Says Ramsey, “the pressure to be accepted in today’s stuff-centered world drives teens—and perhaps even their parents—to throw money away on things that don’t matter, all in an attempt to ‘be somebody.” Parents, teachers and pastors must work to instill good money management skills into today’s youth.
If today’s youth fall into the trap of materialism, it will inhibit them from learning about the full measure to which their God can fill them. American consumerism completely has overtaken the reason for the season, and even the most devout Christians can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.
Luke Trouten, Youth Pastor of Northwood Church in Maple Grove, Minn., has a word of caution for youth pastors: The Christmas season is not the only time teens struggle with fitting in and measuring up. “The problem with only teaching about generosity or materialism during the holidays is that we can get the idea that we only have to be concerned about it during the holidays. Creating a culture of generosity and contentment takes more than a few Sundays in December.
Students who know they are loved and are relatively secure in their identity are less likely to use fads and trends to define themselves. As with so many things, reminding the students how valued they are will keep them from seeking value in trivial purchases.” Trouten suggests getting the students actively involved with a charity during the holidays. His students donate money and do the shopping for needy families that need help at Christmas. “Helping a family that is hoping for socks and underwear under the Christmas tree helps to put things in perspective.”
Perspective may indeed be the key to helping students manage their money and maintain their self-esteem especially during the holidays. Christmas can be a particularly hard time of year for teenagers, a time when they need to be reminded they are loved and accepted. While learning to manage their money well is an extremely important life tool, students also must understand the value of their own lives in the eyes of their Creator. Lead by example; teach students that Christmas is not about money. Showing them that happiness is not measured by money or possessions will have a profound impact on them, a reminder that inside of them they already have everything they need to fend off Christmas come-ons.
