Yes, I hope people will read my post and see that giving unwanted gifts is not just a waste of their money, potentially insulting to the receiver, and a waste of the world’s resources, but it’s totally pointless. The whole point of giving a gift is to show that person you care and to brighten their day - giving garbage does neither.

Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy gift giving (and receiving!) but I just cannot believe the amount of wastage we willingly create every December. It’s criminal.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and giving others something to think about, Sue,
Steve

I really enjoy reading your words of wisdom. This article is very fitting for the season.

You and I are very like minded or should I say, Ania and I are very like minded. This year, as in past years, I have taken all the money that I would have spent on gifts for everyone and went to World Vision Canada and purchased medicines, books, goats, roosters and hens, seeds, and many other items that a Third World family would require just to live. Each member of my family receives a little card which is placed on the tree with the name of the gift that was given in their names. It has become a family tradition.

As all members of my family feel, I also feel that we have been truly blessed in this life. We must share these blessings with others.
In other words, we must stop wasting money on useless things, stop giving just because Auntie Bettie gave us a huge gift last year and instead start really giving…Give to those who face so many difficulties. Give so that they can sustain their lives and the lives of their children.
This type of giving does warm the heart and does bring a smile and it doesn’t fill the landfill sites.
Trust me, everyone should try it.

Blessings to all,
Sue

I’m afraid the other site you mention is down for maintenance at the moment.

Yes, people just don’t get the ‘don’t buy me anything’. I suppose it’s because so many people say similar things in other situations and are then devastated when people actually take notice of what they’ve said.

I do know what you mean about the latest T-shirt, etc - oh, I can’t abide the notion of having the have some piece of crap just because a load of people were gullible enough to make it ‘the’ fashionable must-have. Drives me spare!

All that said, I do actually enjoy Christmas. I enjoy getting and giving presents. I enjoy sharing it with my family. I enjoy the spirit of it. I don’t want to pretend otherwise. All I’d like is for people to spend more wisely than they usually do. Make it a ‘crap-free’ Christmas!

Thanks for sharing, Heidi.

Terrie, you ever get tired of those handcrafted Afgans, I know a Polish girl who’d be overjoyed to give them a caring home!

Yes, I can see why you value such gifts. There’s real love in something like that.

I’m afraid I have no idea what jerky is. Other than references to beef jerky in cowboy movies, I’ve never come across it - we don’t have it in England. I saw it in a gas station in Nevada this July and wondered about buying some, but somehow I doubt that would qualify as a true sampling!

Yes, ’stuff’ - how would the world manage without it? There’s a TV ad playing at the moment for one of our department/mail order stores - it shows a spaceship landing on another planet and giving the wondrous gift of ‘craving consumer goods’ to a civilization that appears to be living in harmony without greed, envy, or waste. As you can imagine, it’s one of the most horrendous adverts I’ve ever seen! And this is something to which corporations, the government, and the media want us to aspire!

You could weep, couldn’t you!?

Thanks for adding to the conversation, Terrie.

Hope you’ve both had a great weekend. Enjoy your week,
Steve

I did see some lovely Christmas cards though. The picture was by the creator of the comic strip “Mutts” (can’t remember his name at the moment), and the paper in the cards is made from organic sources and impregnated with flower seeds. So, you bury the card in your yard and in the spring, you have flowers. I rather liked those. A good deal more lasting and meaningful than something that will end up in the landfill.

As always, thanks for this thought-provoking post Steve.

(I went back and looked it up - you can get the “Grow A Note” cards at:
http://www.greenfieldpaper.com/asccustompages/products.asp?categoryid=3 )

I am a utilitarian and always have been. Although we no longer put up christmas trees, or anything else for that matter, we do still give ‘a little something’ to eachother, family and close friends. That little something has always been things that are useful or can be used for more than a season or a year. In other words, we have never bought into the ‘crap’ comsumerism and have never gone into debt to finance gifts.

This year I am giving the one gift everyone in my family and close friends hammer me to make year round (but I only make it once a year either in the summer or the winter)–I am making jerky, not a few ounces–by the pound! I do this once a year because it is expensive (on my budget–it is expensive!) but I enjoy making it for everyone and I know none of it goes to waste and it is always very much appreciated. It is made from my heart and with love–something that cannot be bought in Sax or Macy’s!

As for me getting ’stuff’–I made it known decades ago that I want nothing for Christmas. I do not want nor desire ’stuff’. If people feel they just haaaave to give me something I would much rather have something someone has made from their heart than anything sitting in a department store. They all know this so they do not bother with ‘crap’ items. I usually get hand crotcheted afgans or homemade candies or hand-sewn caftans (all other clothing options are out!). The candies don’t last long LOL but the afgans and caftans last for decades!

I still have the very last quilt my great-grandmother ever made. She made it for me as a gift. That was given to me over 30 years ago and it still keeps me warm and it keeps her in my heart.

Yes, if people are feeling a little philanthropic - and what better time to feel that way inclined - that’s an ideal opportunity to make a difference without it costing you one single penny!

Thanks for dropping in,
Steve

Thank you for being one of the sensible ones - you’ve brightened my heart today!

Thanks for dropping in.

Well, talk about preaching to the choir! Thanks, Carolyn. That’s great work you’re doing there. I can imagine the faces that will light up Christmas morning when gleaming bikes are presented to two tiny, deprived kids. That’s excellent. And the lengths you’re going to to ensure they’re safe riding/keeping them is great.

I do like family gift-giving, though, and will never give that up - I’ve always loved Christmas as my childhood ones were always so happy. Moderation and common sense are the key words, aren’t they?

Thanks for telling us about your wonderful endeavours.

Yes, no waste and nothing unwanted. You’re right, Sue.

Volunteering? If people have the time spare and the inclination, yes, that’s a wonderful gift for others who are often in desperate need at this time of year.

Thanks, Sue.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.
Steve