“No one needs more shit in their life than they already have, and Christmas has turned into one big shit-giving day that leaves rubbish bins filled to the brim, and storage cupboards bursting at the seams.“
- Kate Hall
Not everyone participates in the over the top shit-giving of Consumer Christmas. Nor should they - it is ultimately harmful to the very Earth that we celebrate at this time of year. What has turned into a shopping frenzy once was a time that people celebrated the Earth's cycles and mutual support in small, sensible ways.
Some people still do that. Roughly about 10% of Americans do not buy any gifts on Christmas at all. Imagine how much money would be saved, resources conserved, and frayed nerves avoided if you were one of that small group of non-participators looking for alternatives to Consumer Santa's demands for you to buy, buy, buy.
When surveyed, 30% of people said they do not buy gifts for co-workers, and 67% of pet owners said they will not be buying gifts for their critters. 60% of people will also not be buying gifts for the service people in their lives, like hair dressers, cleaners, or baristas.
That does not mean we can't make giving part of our holiday celebration. But there are many ways to give other than running off to the mall, or going on line, to buy a brand new something or another latest doodad for that special person.
We can make them something. Perhaps you are artistic, or would like to be. This might be a good time to start. Take a photo, paint a picture, knit a sweater, or write and perform a song. Creativity, unlike the stock at the big box store, is unlimited.
Or give experiences, like a ticket for a play or concert. Buy two tickets and go with them. Make your own tickets that the recipient can cash in for things like taking a hike with you, sitting and having tea and biscuits, or volunteering at the food bank.
Consumables are always appreciated. Everyone needs food, which will surely be more appreciated than a plastic gag gift.
While not as exciting as the latest plastic toy, practical gifts such as the classic socks and underwear can go a long way toward helping family and friends cope with providing the basics for themselves.
Donating to a charity in the name of others can also be an alternative to gifting people that don't need anything.
I have always thought that buying brand new superfluous gifts just because Big Business Consumer Santa tells us to, is a weird warping of a special moment that initially started as an observation of an important day in the cycle of the seasons.
There is a reason that the Sun was once considered the one and only "God". Let us celebrate what our nearest star gives us each and every day by thanking it for the totality of life on Earth.
Then, over the coming weeks, let us notice the great relief we experience as the Sun returns, along with its precious heat and energy, without which everything would cease to be.
That is the origin of this special moment in our annual transit around the Sun. We made it through harvest, we will huddle together now till it gets warm again, and with each other, we will carry on and make our next annual trip through space even more special than the last.
I wonder how Big Business Consumer Santa would like that? Would he approve, or is he just the Grinch in a bearded and red and white disguise trying to destroy everything by turning our own greed upon ourselves?
Great post, we have always steered clear of junk mostly because my mom was such a consumer. Now I am decorating with all her stuff/crap. At least I did not buy it!
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of my childhood Christmases, which were low key affairs. A real tree, lights, mixed nuts, oranges, music, nativity scene, and a few wrapped boxes under the tree. And tinsel. Lots of tinsel.
DeleteThe lead up to what is now seen as the "big event" was full of anticipation and magic. The actual opening of presents was bittersweet because it meant that Christmas was coming to a close for another year.
The build up to gift opening was the real thing as that is what I remember the most. Shorter, colder days, and being snuggley and warm inside with my family. I have a hard time remembering a single actual gift, perhaps because the presents weren't the focus of my family's celebration.
'Not everyone participates in the over the top shit-giving of Consumer Christmas' - tell it like it is, Gregg!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, what has happened to people? I remember Christmas as a kid and it involved a few modest gifts stashed away at the top of my mother's wardrobe. Most of it was the things we needed - a bathing suit, pyjamas, coloured pencils for school, and usually one lovely gift that we would enjoy - eg a Meccano set or doll (even though I liked dolls I was always bummed that I never got the Meccano!) Our grandmother also gave us something we needed, usually a nice handkerchief or some coat hangers she had covered herself. Back then kids didn't expect pensioners to buy them an Ipad! We always felt so happy with what we got and enjoyed seeing golden Christmas beetles on the screen door, running around outside in the dark until late and cracking nuts from the shell.
So when I go into the shops and see trolleys overflowing with god-knows-what plastic crap I just wonder, what's happened to us? It's enough to bring on another 'Buy Nothing Year'. My last one was in 2007 and it really is amazing how much you can do without. I am happy to see a growing number of vloggers attempting low-buy or no-buy years in 2019 and 2020.
Less is the new black :-)
Madeleine
Madeleine- "Back then kids didn't expect pensioners to buy them an Ipad!" How true! My grandmother made us pajama's most years and I'm sure she struggled to buy the fabric. The other grandparents gave us socks and a few dollars. My sister's grandaughter is getting as much from her grandparents as her parents. I know my sister and her husband don't have the money, but do it anyway. I'm giving some secondhand or "vintage" gifts and a few consumables.
DeleteMarla, how lovely that your grandmother made pyjamas for you. My grandmother made all of our cardigans - I never owned a shop-bought sweater until I left home!
DeleteMadeleine
Thinking about doing a buy nothing year is a great way to start 2020. Or a buy only used goods year (does NOT work for toilet paper). I wonder if people are managing to link over-the-top lifestyles with global changes, like the worst fires on record?
DeletePeople want to know, "What can I do?". Buying nothing, or next to nothing, is worth trying. It may not stop the changes right away, but it will make one feel better overall in short order. It is worth trying, because buying everything does not seem to be working.
I don't participate in all the frantic buying that most folks do with Christmas. I try to buy consumables or hand make something that can actually be used around the home.
ReplyDeleteMadeleine - I'm inspired, perhaps a "No Buy" year would be something for me to participate in this coming year!!
Linda
Linda, if you go for it you'll have to let us know. My only hesitation on doing another no buy year is that I love books, both fiction and non-fiction , and our country library doesn't have a lot of current titles. But maybe I will go for it anyway...
DeleteMadeleine
I have a problem with buying clothes (nearly always second-hand) but it has still left me with very cluttered wardrobes. I have kept a no-buy of clothes since 1st September and I would like to continue it through 2020. It has also helped me to be more mindful of other buying like home goods etc, which has greatly reduced. I have a lot of fun making outfits from what I have, mending, altering etc. So if a total no-buy seems too much, you might consider a no-buy of one category of things (like me with clothes) and see what other pesky consumer-type addictions tag along with it and go away! Clare
DeleteLinda,
DeleteI am sure there are many others that would be interested in a No Buy Year. It would be fun to discuss that further here. Consumables are great as gifts - nothing left over!
Madeleine,
DeleteOn one of the big moves Linda and I did we sold off an extensive book collection. It was hard to let it go, but life is much lighter now, and there is less to dust. Now we are more settled, and we miss them. If we had them now, we would be enjoying them.
How about a "No Buy Except Books" Year? Any kind of No Buy effort is a good one.
Clare,
That is what I am talking about. A No Buy in one area is likely to spread to all other areas when one sees the results.
It is alright to start small. The changes that Linda and I have made have taken us decades. It was a slow process, but worth working towards.
Slow and steady, if we still have time for that.
I'm attempting another no buy year in 2020, and this year many Christmas presents have been hand made. Beeswax wraps, berry jam, lemon honey...not to mention whiskey soaked Christmas cake :)
ReplyDeleteAlso am giving plants and cuttings of plants. I was given some delicious home made Christmas shortbread from the lady I clean for and they are amazing! Can't think of a nicer gift than one where someone has spent time and effort making something.
Hand made gifts I find more meaningful. There is more of YOU in the gift if YOU made it.
DeleteGood luck with your No Buy Year in 2020. A worthy effort.