The Christmas Fulfillment Curve

In the Tightwad Gazette Amy Dacyczyn wrote about what she called the Christmas  Fulfilment curve. She first learned of this idea in a book titled Transforming Your Relationship with Money, which was written by Joe Dominguez. 
The theory behind this idea is that when we spend money on basics like food, shelter, and clothing, we receive the maximum fulfillment for the money we spend. Beyond basics however, we receive less fulfillment as the more money we spend to fulfill our needs begins to drop off. 
Amy wrote about this fulfillment curve in reference to Christmas morning. She wrote about parents who overshot the peak when it comes to gifts. She says that, “spending beyond this peak fails to add significantly to your holiday experience”.
This reminded me of a story...

The Christmas when Bailey was two years old, my sister sent her a Blues Clues kit, which was a very simple gift of a notebook, crayon, and three paw print felt cutouts. It was similar to the kit used on the television show, Blues Clues, which Bailey loved to watch. 
She was so excited about that gift that she wanted to play with it and not open any other gifts. But we were spending Christmas morning with my parents and tradition called for us to continue opening gifts.
I wish I could go back in time and change that. If I could I would have let Bailey play with that to her heart’s content. There would be time later to open the other presents she received that day.  
See she had reached the fulfillment curve with that one simple gift. Sometimes we don’t need the “WOW” factor when it comes to gift giving. Sometimes a small simple gift and being with family are the only gifts we really need.

Belinda ~ Living within our Means ~ My Linktree