Consumerism and Christmas
| November 9, 2009 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Uncategorized |
As a religious holiday for Christians, Christmas should be about Jesus’ birth. It’s the only birthday I know of were everyone but the person with the birthday gets gifts. We rush around buying gifts that are often useless and unwanted. Credit debt goes through the roof and often you hear people say they are glad it’s all over.
If you are a Christian shouldn’t at least some, if not most, of the gifts go to Jesus? And you may wonder how you give gifts to Jesus but think for a minute. Wouldn’t it make him happy if you gave to others? Help at a food bank, sponsor a child that wouldn’t normally get anything for Christmas, donate to good causes as gifts, and so many other things.
Even if you aren’t religious (or at least not a Christian) Christmas should be fun, happy and about the people you love. Most of us have to much stuff so give of yourself. Bake your friends and family some cookies, knit some scarfs, spend time with your loved ones, and make memories not debt. You likely will forget what people give you each year but you will remember what you did with them.
Last year my brother and I, who both have far more than we need, “shopped” for each other at our local alternative gift market. Were either of us sad we got less stuff? No, we were just as happy if not more. Added bonus we made our parents very proud of us. Also we ended up picking the same “gifts” for each other, which gave us a nice laugh.
So if people ask you for gift ideas ask for time with them, donations to good causes, or at least handmade gifts (even if they are bought). Make this Christmas about love, caring for others, fun, laughter, and memories.
