My Sentiments Exactly

[ravan]

ebonypearl brings us bipartite rant about whiny Christians and Christmas gifting. Go read it.

While I celebrate Giftmas, I do resent the pressure to "give, give, give". Yes, it's how the stores make their year end money. But I give all during the year, as cash and inclination occur.

This year's gifts are mostly homemade, and consumable besides. It's more fun that way.

Comments

[jemyl.livejournal.com]

I agree and have rebelled much against the gifting all at once. I buy things throughout the year, except for the perishables, of course. Then I have the fun of finding all my treasures to wrap and present, not an easy task since our place is set up only to make things easier to take care of Bill.

Your older acquired sister, J, has got that whole side of the family doing something I don't think many other families do. We take a book, DVD, tape or CD that we have enjoyed and likely will not read, watch or listen to again and gift it to another family member whom we believe will really enjoy it. For Bill and I, we also sometimes find a "treasure" which we want to pass on to that particular family member "eventually" and gift it to them now so that they can enjoy it longer. Almost all of our gifts are small remembrances rather than expensive bling, bling which means nothing and are more often than not handmade or homemade. The exception is the food gifts or specialty items we order drop shipped as a whole family gift. To me, the greatest gift is time with any one or our children, be that by phone, visit or even a dvd, cd, or long distance minutes. I have begun a challenge to myself to see how many nice gifts I can prepare without spending money in December. My goal is to spend less each year and at the same time, make the gifts more meaningful to the giftee.

[ladyqkat.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. I am more inclined to give a gift as I can afford it and when the inclination hits. Giving gifts just because advertisers scream "Buy! Buy!" and people try to guilt trip you just doesn't work with me.

[anarchys-savior.livejournal.com]

Christmas isn't that special to me any more. I don't really want anything except money so I can buy clothes. lol And because I worked for the govt and made min. wage over the summer, I have no money to buy presents for others. Oh well.

[dubhain.livejournal.com]

The older I get, the less fond I am of Giftmas.

I don't like the hype, the constant bombardment with Giftmas music (some of which I actually used to like, until they kept moving the "season" (i.e. "buying period") back before Thanksgiving (and now it starts before Halloween, for godssakes!) I hate the way people turn into complete asshats from the stress of desperation-shopping and financial worry. I also hate the way the increasingly bitter, frustrated and angry people drive like they're out for blood and just aching to lay some of their spite off on any convenient target.

They say it's the thought that counts. I'm perfectly fine with sending a card, and thinking good thoughts in the direction of those I care about. And I take no offense whatsoever if they decide to do that instead of sending gifties my way.

I do like the lights on the houses, if done tastefully, during the darkest time of the year. That I do still like. As for the rest...well...there's a reason we permanently disconnected our television (save for DVD/VHS) and avoid the malls this time of year.