I have to thank Theresa for posting on her blog about Buy Nothing Day. It's something that we just discussed about in one of my classes when we were talking about the concept of social marketing. I know that too many people will be out in the stores the day after Thanksgiving hoping to shop for Christmas gifts that people probably don't even need, thus take a minute and think about engaging in "Buy Nothing" day instead. A lot of people can't afford much of what they buy in the "spirit" of Christmas, but what if instead of buying we just enjoyed the gifts of time with each other? Time is the greatest gift of all. What if instead of buying an object or something for someone that will sit around and gather dust, we instead took them out to enjoy an experience? What if instead of spending all this money on things we don't really need....we gave it instead to others who could benefit from it? I'm not against giving....I'm against giving just to give and against shopping just to shop.
This year my siblings and I are not giving gifts. I'll get something for my nephews and something for my parents as I figure out more what they need. I will be adding on to a blanket for my nephew and buying something warm for my father. However the best piece o
f the holiday season will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. Last year I was so saddened to see so many items under our tree when I knew that so many others go without and when I had explicity asked to receive nothing. For me the season is one of Thanksgiving for everything I already have such as the love and support of family and friends, my education, a warm living environment, clothes that fit and function, food. And the Christmas season is one in which I am reminded of the lessons that came due to the birth of the Savior and the number one lesson He taught us was to love God and to love others, especially those without. So I hope to spend my holiday season in moments of gratitude and of love-for both of those are gifts that do not require purchasing. May you enjoy the momentum of the season!
f the holiday season will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. Last year I was so saddened to see so many items under our tree when I knew that so many others go without and when I had explicity asked to receive nothing. For me the season is one of Thanksgiving for everything I already have such as the love and support of family and friends, my education, a warm living environment, clothes that fit and function, food. And the Christmas season is one in which I am reminded of the lessons that came due to the birth of the Savior and the number one lesson He taught us was to love God and to love others, especially those without. So I hope to spend my holiday season in moments of gratitude and of love-for both of those are gifts that do not require purchasing. May you enjoy the momentum of the season!
2 comments:
A thought provoking post. I agree with you. I avoid shopping during holiday sales. It's too easy to get pulled into the group mentality and buy unneeded things. When our children were growing up we had a 'formula' for Christmas. The boys would get three gifts: an item of clothing; something educational (usually a book); and a toy (which was also usually educational - like Legos). They knew the plan and liked it. Well, maybe sometimes they didn't think they needed the clothes (!) but they sure loved the educational toys and books! So many children have so many 'things' that they never develop their own creativity and imagination. They miss so much.
I'm really looking forward to the Buy Nothing Day(s)! I really want to concentrate on the deliberate act of non-purchasing on those days. Sometimes I will have a buy-nothing day almost by accident, but I don't have enough deliberate buy-nothing days.
Our family switched to non-present based Christmas celebrations a couple of years ago, and while it was uncomfortable for some, it has endured. We now spend much more time socializing with each other than just watch each other open gift after gift. It was really an embarrassment of riches. The money we used to spend on presents, we now donate to the food bank and to the humane society.
Happy Holidays one and all!
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