tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post496047552673064437..comments2024-03-28T01:51:22.367-03:00Comments on Not Buying Anything: Boxes Of Shit For SaleGregg Koephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-56316293670549991662019-11-22T20:21:51.986-04:002019-11-22T20:21:51.986-04:00"The more you spend, the more you save!"..."The more you spend, the more you save!"<br /><br />People are waking up to the sleaze and corruption. Resistance is not futile.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-54173182350058737332019-11-22T20:19:14.580-04:002019-11-22T20:19:14.580-04:00We celebrate not celebrating consumer Christmas. A...We celebrate not celebrating consumer Christmas. And we celebrate others doing the same. Happy Solstice.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-14010159845298229572019-11-22T19:15:27.035-04:002019-11-22T19:15:27.035-04:00I just recently received an email from my credit u...I just recently received an email from my credit union telling me that I should shop with my Visa debit card this holiday season, because by shopping online and using my Visa, I'll be entered in a sweepstakes to win $10,000. I passed another advertisement today that a local bank had up that went to the effect of, "need more money this holiday season? Well, come on in and get a loan or pre-approved credit so you can participate in the orgy of over-consumption for Christmas!" <br />When I see those kinds of messages it makes me shake my head, then makes me angry, then makes me sad, that they prey on people's desires to follow the status quo and feel accepted, that they have to spend massive amounts of money on cheaply made goods that will probably be returned, thrown away, or left to collect dust, when they could use that money for so many other good causes in the world. Or, they could save it. I don't know what's worse...when they use subtle manipulation in all the ads to urge people to consume non-stop, or when it's blatant and basically telling you to take out a loan or go into debt just because it's Christmas. All of it is sleazy. I just feel that they amp it up into overdrive during the holiday seasons and that just feels extra slimy and corrupt to me. Not that it's ever acceptable at any time, but ironically, I feel like people should be disgusted at the patent greed and exploitation that's displayed, especially during a time that's supposed to be about love, togetherness, family and sharing. But instead it's become "normal", and it seems most people just follow suit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-4980906078581572062019-11-17T15:28:21.682-04:002019-11-17T15:28:21.682-04:00My wife said today casually "shall we not bot...My wife said today casually "shall we not bother about Christmas this year", lol, my eyes lit up. So happy I don't have to sit round a plastic tree. We haven't had real Christmas diner for years, we don't drink alcohol, have no TV and haven't brought presents for years - so why bother at all.<br />Peace,<br />Alex Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-26553597918035674102019-11-17T13:43:24.716-04:002019-11-17T13:43:24.716-04:00Hi Marla (and everyone),
I'm encouraged that y...Hi Marla (and everyone),<br />I'm encouraged that your gentle encourage to your family member who buys you things is working by her giving more practical gifts. My boyfriend's family is similar - they ask what we want, we tell them one or two practical things, and we get those, but they also buy much more. Thankfully most of what they get now is food -- local cheeses, nuts, cider, etc. We feel pretty good about giving and getting food items. We are hoping that within a couple more years we will not exchange any gifts with them, and just share the day together, as Gregg says, laughing and being grateful for the companionship.<br /><br />Along the lines of the article, I found this quote recently: "Some people see Black Friday as a much-needed break for their wallet. I see it as retail outlets showing the customers the full weight of their contempt. The frenzy to buy cheap crap from China, the human downgrade of people fighting with each other over items they can probably live without, to me, is an insult." Henry Rollins<br /><br />Thank you to all here who bring kindness and sensibility to the holiday season, and who remember what is is really about - love, laughter, friends, family. <br /><br />-Mary<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-54120295086709798362019-11-17T11:25:29.912-04:002019-11-17T11:25:29.912-04:00It's been several years now since I opted out ...It's been several years now since I opted out of the gift giving business. Still there is one family member who insists that my life won't be complete unless she buys me something. I smile and say thank you, even though I've pleaded with her to stop. At least she buys me practical things now. This poor person still thinks shopping is a pastime worth pursuing on an almost daily basis. Her home is overflowing and I would imagine her credit cards too. Gentle encouragement seems to be working. We must be patient with those who still are distracted by the retail giants. I know a better more peaceful life awaits.Marlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04823027336359766111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-29138702748417885562019-11-17T09:02:43.679-04:002019-11-17T09:02:43.679-04:00That is funny. And those are some very practical g...That is funny. And those are some very practical gift ideas. I especially like the idea of making things to give. When I taught in an elementary school, our lost and found was always overflowing. That must be one place all those winter things go. Snowdrifts also harbour mitts and things until spring.<br /><br />Thanks for the laugh this morning - laughter is one of my favourite gifts to both give and receive.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-76062191594578328482019-11-17T03:45:44.114-04:002019-11-17T03:45:44.114-04:00Something you want, something you need, something ...Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read, something from Santa. Christmas stockings, always had a new hair brush, ( I raised three girls who could never find a hair brush but with 3 new ones every year we were set, always down to one by Christmas),An orange,some nuts, candy,lip balm, hair ties (see hairbrush story), bobbi pins (ditto)new tooth brush,razors for legs,tights, socks, undies. Something to wear was always new flannel jammies, worn to death by the next year.Also I usually knitted new hat, scarf and mittens always lost by the end of the season. Wear do all those winter things go that kids lose?Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.com