Update: You see, this is also why toy buying scares the crud out of me…
This year, I’ve been having a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the prospect of Christmas Shopping. My dilemma is: I don’t want to do any.
Actually, no, that’s not true. I don’t want to buy crap.
Not that I do, anyway. Or at least I hope I don’t. By ‘crap’ I mean petty toys or such that never get used. Or beauty products that are going to get banished to the backs of cupboards. Or something wildly inappropriate or unnecessary.
So I’ve been doing some reading. And then the other week at the OXFAM book sale, I picked up off the table a brochure of all the alternative presents you can buy for people; presents that will make a difference. I’m sure you’ve heard of them: $10 for a chicken. $25 to pay for an impoverished child’s school fees for a year. That kind of thing. I thought that would be an answer.
So I asked my sister what she thought when she was visiting. She said, “Sure – get me something like that.” Awesome. I think my mum and dad will also be cool with it.
Then I asked Adam if he thought anyone in his family might be okay with the idea too?
“Um……..” he said diplomatically. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
Because Christmas can be so fraught with tension and expectations; jealousy and desire. I’m the same. I always say, “Oh, don’t get me anything this year”, but I’m the first one under the tree, shaking the present to see what’s inside, suddenly seized with the present-gobbling-gremlins. And I wouldn’t want to deny kids the pleasure of opening a present from us. So I won’t do anything radical there, but I think the case becomes slightly different when you reach adulthood.
I just wonder at what point can you start asking people: “Can you sacrifice a little something for the bigger benefit of others?”
And just so you know – my sister’s present to me will also be an OXFAM one.
What position do you have on the whole Christmas Present plethora in the world today?
For the scoop on what other Aussie Bloggers are doing this year, go here!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that’s a fantastic idea! Good on you! And it’s in the true spirit of the holiday, I’d wager. I’ve tried doing something like that, but I have relatives who don’t listen, so no matter what I say, I end up with sweaters I’ll never wear, or little knick-knacks that are destined to gather more dust than use. Sigh. But if my girlfriend and I ever get married, I think I’m going to request that instead of wedding presents, that people make donations to charities, instead.
I haven’t really extended my thought process regarding presents to the extended family. I just do the obligatory presents (although generally still thought out and with fingers crossed that they like them).
However with my girls its different, every year i ask them to select a present for a child of a similar age group to them that we can wrap and donate to a local charity.
This usually results in them picking the best present that they want for themselves and crying profusely that they need it when we hand it over, but as time goes on they are getting used to the idea and especially my 4 year old is starting to get the gist of it.
I still spoil them too much, but as they get older i hope to extend our little tradition and for them to be happy to cut back on their receiving a little and honestly get the idea of spreading a little christmas value.
FANTASTIC. I have given the Oxfam unwrapped for years (World Vision also has a version). My family loves it. I have two big kids (25 and 23) who proudly display their gift cards year round.
When I got married in March, we gave my family and his family gifts – sort of like the bride price in reverse. I gave some of his family Oxfam Unwrapped. His 30 yr old brother cried while he hugged me tightly and said it is the most useful present he has ever received.
I think people either get “doing for others,” or not.
For our kids, it is a wonderful way to instill empathy and civic duty into them from an early age. Research supports that children with advanced empathy are least likely to grow into perpetrators of any sort. I listened to that research and I have grown two very nice big kids (let’s not talk about the little kids at the moment!!!!!!).
Great post Misc (and thanks for the link too).
We do this at work instead of Secret Santa. We all put in $10 and then pour over the catalogues to see what we can get then put pictures of them under the tree. Last year we had over a hundred people join in.
I make donations to the Autism associations on behalf of the adult members of our family and then give them a bottle of wine.
Kids get presents.
WOW – I’m so totally inspired now. Such great stories….!!
I’ll post more on this in the weeks to come, I think!
Tag! You’re it!
We make home made things for the adults and we ask for nothing in return. We have been getting the OXFAM donations from my in laws and their family for years.My mum is the one who usually spoils me
As for the kids. I am the same. I don’t want to buy a whole lot of stuff that will be broken or lost or both by Boxing Day. It’s so hard though because they are children and children love toys.
We were going to skip toys this year and take them away instead but it was not to be so I have the stress of what to get for them. Am procrastinating like mad.
The kids do a couple of things to teach them the gift of giving. The first is that they go through all of their toys and donate to St Vincents. They can’t be broken and must be in good condition, so they can either be given to someone or sold for money to help others.
The other thing we do is buy gifts for a child (a boy) of equal age to William (our son who died). This year we will be buying for a three year old. It teaches the kids so much but also connects them to others too.
H! Sorry I haven’t commented recently, but my Google Reder did not show any contributions, as you had moved.
My husband ends up with Oxfam unwrapped gifts for everything – birthdays, father’s day, Christmas. This year will be no different. Since our son was born we give something in his name as well as sending gifts in the shoebox appeal. I think it’s a great way to celebrate the holidays!
Boy this post hit home! I feel just as you do!
I think giving to those in need is a great way to celebrate Christmas. Wonderful plan.
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