Sick of Christmas materialism, staging revolt (value, national, money)
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Grew up competing, spending maxxing out credit to give relatives nice gifts
At this point I have a nice house, friends, animals and a full life. It is no longer necessary to spend 10-20k on Christmas junk that gets tossed in the garage 2 weeks later.
I wonder if anyone else has similar thoughts? I now travel with family to see other countries, it is much more fulfilling.
Holy cow, all I can say is that I can't believe anyone would ever max out credit cards or spend 10-20K on gifts!
Thankfully, my family and my husband's family has never been into the mega-consumerism for x-mas. We give to charities in our relatives' names (like Heifer International--you can purchase a pig or a mosquito net for those in malarial areas, or vaccinations for a child, etc and then they send a card to say this has been given in your name). I knit things for x-mas. I buy things with special meaning, but not at all expensive.
Don't get me wrong--I could afford to spend a lot more, but I just think we all have way too much STUFF so I much prefer to give to people who really need it. Even w/our kids, they only ask Santa for one or two things. By the time they get everything from all their relatives, they get quite a lot, but it's NOTHING compared to a lot of kids I know. My kids are THRILLED with what they get and at age 6, my daughter already asks Santa to please help people who don't have houses and things like that.
It doesn't have to be about consumerism and not being about consumerism certainly doesn't mean not having a great x-mas!
We mainly give money or gift certificates to a favorite store or restaurant for our relatives and friends. We buy actual gifts for our children (or give them money) because we know what they want. For each other we go on trips or buy something we really want for our home and we get each other small things - (inexpensive) jewelry, a shirt or two here and there.
Yes, Christmas (and all other holidays!) are over-commercialized. If I didn't have to celebrate the holidays I wouldn't. In fact, I am dreading Thanksgiving because I am not ready to eat a huge meal at 1:00 in the afternoon! After that, my family basically veges out in front of a TV set (I hate TV with the exception of DWTS, or any dance show and Kitchen Nightmares). That aint for me!!! I KNOW I must have been adopted because I am completely different from my family.
Grew up competing, spending maxxing out credit to give relatives nice gifts
At this point I have a nice house, friends, animals and a full life. It is no longer necessary to spend 10-20k on Christmas junk that gets tossed in the garage 2 weeks later.
I wonder if anyone else has similar thoughts? I now travel with family to see other countries, it is much more fulfilling.
I never spent $10-$20k on Christmas...ever...cumulatively...in my lifetime.
It's easy to complain about the commercialization of Christmas when you come from a background where you buy whatever you want, whenever you want it.
I make an effort to give to people, close to me, something they have been going without. I don't buy anything that I suspect won't be used.
Those who don't need anything I take out to for a meal or some sort of entertainment, or make/give some momento; a picture, collage, letter, or something of sentimental value to me.
We mainly give money or gift certificates to a favorite store or restaurant for our relatives and friends. We buy actual gifts for our children (or give them money) because we know what they want. For each other we go on trips or buy something we really want for our home and we get each other small things - (inexpensive) jewelry, a shirt or two here and there.
Yes, Christmas (and all other holidays!) are over-commercialized. If I didn't have to celebrate the holidays I wouldn't. In fact, I am dreading Thanksgiving because I am not ready to eat a huge meal at 1:00 in the afternoon! After that, my family basically veges out in front of a TV set (I hate TV with the exception of DWTS, or any dance show and Kitchen Nightmares). That aint for me!!! I KNOW I must have been adopted because I am completely different from my family.
Yes- I agree.
I am really sick of the media hype in this country about "must have" toys, iPods, whatever... etc.....It is nonsensical.
It is nice to just appreciate people and family at other times, in my opinion. Xmas has been ruined with commercialism. JMO.
Grew up competing, spending maxxing out credit to give relatives nice gifts
At this point I have a nice house, friends, animals and a full life. It is no longer necessary to spend 10-20k on Christmas junk that gets tossed in the garage 2 weeks later.
I wonder if anyone else has similar thoughts? I now travel with family to see other countries, it is much more fulfilling.
OMG...you must have been very competitive. What a waste!
I've never gone over $1K for everybody...and that includes giftwrap, cards, postage, bows and Christmas dinner.
No wonder you want to stop.
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totally agree
