Have a Rampant Consumerist Christmas!

Actually, if you expect this to be a rant against this "alarming" trend, you better go find another blog.  This is one point where I differ from what seems to be the rest of the liberal, radical world.  Because I'm not alarmed by the consumerization of christmas, for a few reasons.  First of all, we should all understand by now that xmas has no religious meaning for me.  So I don't feel a beautiful religious holiday is being destroyed by greedy fuckers.  To me, xmas is about relaxation and family, and getting and giving presents does nothing to destroy that part of the message.

Secondly, of course I'm alarmed when thousands stampede at Wal*Mart on Black Friday.  But I'm alarmed when anyone shops at Wal*Mart, because that store is anti- everything good in the world.  I wish people wouldn't shop at big box retailers; I personally spent very little money at them this year.  I think I can trace possibly 50 or so dollars to those places.  Which, out of all the money I spent, is very little.  I spent a lot of money at smaller, independent shops and quite a bit more at non-profit type organizations.  (I would come right out and tell you which npo I spent the most money at, but it's my secret source for xmas ornament gifts.)  I don't have any qualms when spending money at these types of stores.  I *want* to support businesses that give me options other than the big box uglies.

Thirdly, I *want* to give presents.  I don't want to give orgies of presents, but I want to find something that is perfect for the person I'm giving it to.  I want to find something that means something to someone.  My sister and I work really hard to find *good* gifts for my parents.  They may not be expensive all the time, but they're something meaningful.  I never buy just to buy.  I love receiving thoughtful gifts; I especially love giving thoughtful gifts.  There's nothing like the expression on someone's face when you've gotten them something meaningful.  And I don't view gift-giving as a proper substitution for expressing my love for people.  The people I give gifts to know how much I love them.  I don't think you can have any sort of relationship with me and not know where you stand.  Gift-giving doesn't express my love; I love to give people I love neat things.

I realize that not everyone has this depth within when it comes to giving and getting, but that won't stop me from celebrating xmas in the way that I see fit.  Whenever I read about families that stop gift-giving completely, I'm surprised.  I'm surprised because whatever you feel about it, giving gifts is one way to learn generosity.  Even giving small gifts can teach that.  And of course, I'm always for giving homemade gifts.  S often does, being that he is such a brilliant photog.  He's got ready-made presents for lots of different occasions.  Last year, I made a cross-stitch for S's mom.  But I think that's just an example of how I think gift-giving should be about the receiver of the gift.  No matter the cost.  You can spend a little, or you can spend a lot.  Doesn't matter, so long as your heart is in the right place.  There's nothing noble or nice about only spending a little money on everyone out of principle.  Not if that person won't like the gift you've given.

Am I evil now?

Comments

[C]

I don't think you are evil. I tend to agree with some of what you say. I think that most of the time families use it as an excuse because they simply can't afford to buy xmas gifts. The American Society is very materialistic and no matter how many people sya and think "it's not the doller value that counts, it's the thought", the way the media protrays xmas presents, it's all about the doller value. And when you don't thave the means and feel like the world around will either make fun of you or simply put you down and show off, you may find other reasons to explain you limited present buying. Does this make any sense?

[Manogirl]

Yes, but I still think it's ridiculous rhetoric. Like I said, it's not about how much or how little you spend, but how the gift touches the receiver of the gift. No one should have to take a defensive position, either, about how little or how much they spend. Anyone who makes fun of people who have smaller Christmases or shows off to the same people is a crappy person anyway. I hope that's not the impression I'm giving.

I guess I'm just saying that not giving gifts at all isn't a solution for the out of control materialism of American society.

I tend to agree with C. For some people they really want to give thoughtful gifts but just don't have the means to do it. It's a very hard thing to admit to someone that you just don't have the money to buy gifts and homemade gifts still cost money for supplies. (This coming from someone who has told her family and friends that they will not be receiving gifts this year.) But I do agree that not giving gifts out of principle isn't a solution for materialism. I think a lot of people forget that they best gifts aren't ones that can wrapped up with a bow. Okay, I'll stop before I start sounding too cheesy.