The Final Word: How have you made your Christmas consumer free?
December 5, 2007
(According to the Helping Hands Club)
Mason Judy
The question of buying is not one that bothers me. I know that I love my family and that I could easily give them nothing without any negative repercussions. I would rather bless them with a gift than spend my money on myself. The past couple of Christmases, I have attempted to get gifts that are all ethically manufactured and distributed. While this is a broad and increasingly ambiguous designation, I have tried to do my best. Shopping second hand and buying used media has been my primary method. It is a good way to find unique and interesting gifts while also supporting organizations that use the money positively. I have never bought wrapping paper; although this may be “old news” (pun intended) old boxes and newspapers work just as well. Throughout my childhood, my family celebrated St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6. On occasion we would go around to various people’s houses who my parents knew were in need and leave gifts on their doorstep. Christmas giving can be a benevolent blessing or a stressful burden and in the end it seems doing what is both sincere and ethically responsible is what is important.
Wes Armstrong
For several years I found myself having a rather pessimistic attitude towards the stressful nightmare that Christmas has become. I kept asking myself the question: “Why should I worry so much about finding the right gifts to give to people who have more stuff than they need and enough money to get whatever they want?” So I stopped. I told my friends and family that I didn’t want or need any stuff for Christmas anymore, and that they wouldn’t be getting any from me. Instead, the resources that I would normally be putting into gifts for them would be going towards people who actually needed it. On Christmas, my friends and family received cards that outlined who was benefitted on their behalf. Water purification projects in rural Africa, emergency food supplies for war torn countries, gardening supplies for villages; the opportunities were many and wide. And for anyone who really wanted to get something for me, I told them to do something similar. I understand that there is definitely still something to be said about giving someone something that they actually need, or giving them something small just out of appreciation for them, but I feel that the majority of Christmas gift exchanging is just done because it is expected of them and they don’t know of a better alternative. Also, I’m still a big fan of old fashioned acts of service and manual labor as gift alternatives. Because when it comes down to it, some people really would get more use out of a helping hand than a new tie.
Krista West
For me, Christmas has been on overhaul the last few years. When I was first challenged with the ideals of “buy nothing Christmas” it came to me as a flash of freedom from the chains of consumerism. It was soon afterwards that I began to put on a new set of chains: the chains of simplicity. I found myself stressing about what I was going to make for my family, because whether buying something or not, Christmas is still about giving and communicating love. But when I really understood the heart behind the concept, I was freed by it. This Christmas, I’ll be knitting a few things for my Mom and sister, painting a few things for my Dad and brother, but most importantly making my own Christmas cards. Making Christmas cards allows me to give the gift of my time, as well as a special message to the people I care about; all while keeping things simple and within my limited budget. Simplifying Christmas opens up the holiday to the things that are important to me – love, peace and relationship. Sometimes the idea of simplifying Christmas can be overwhelming, but that isn’t the point. Do what you can and resist the temptation to get caught up in the distraction and disillusionment of a Christmas powered by the craving for things. May your Christmas be full of the simple, yet powerful, peace of the season.
Now you go...
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