Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM
Why I don't want anything for the Holidays
I know, I know, the economy is in crisis. "WE MUST BUY STUFF to get the economy going again! " the masses and the media cry. but for me, what i really want for the holidays this year is experiences. Take me out to the zoo! or aquarium, or botanical garden. Come over and play board games, sit in front of the fireplace with some cocoa! Let's go on a hike in the Sandia's or walk our dogs in the Bosque. Let's have a tea party, or knitting party, or baking party. Give me your recipes, hugs, stories, ideas, your love. Let's walk around the neighborhood and look at holiday lights! let's go watch a dollar movie and sneak in our own popcorn.
If you MUST buy a physical item, get it locally! Support OUR economy and the people and businesses at home. Go to local restaurants if you must dine out. Shop at Thrift Stores, the salvation army and antique shops. Make your own cards instead of giving Hallmark your hard earned money. Make pie, cakes, and non-perishables for gifts. CRAFT! trade services with people! make coupon books for massages, home-made lunches/dinners, honey-do lists, breakfast in bed.
Get creative! You will enjoy your time much more then in a store. Shopping does not equal happiness! Remember the PEOPLE in your life (not just what they want for the holidays) and spend TIME with them, not just money.
and turn off your T.V. and computer! there's more to life then a glowing screen*.
and speaking of that....
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4 Comments
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Comment by Amy on November 30, 2008 at 8:12pm - At some point we're going to have to figure out how to keep the economy healthy without continuous massive overconsumption by the populace. In our house, we certainly do not need more "stuff" and most households I know are the same whether they admit it or not. I am all for the free market but this whole idea that we must BUY BUY BUY to keep the economy afloat is not something sustainable. Many people have been living on credit for many years and now that supposedly the era of "easy credit" is over, economic recovery is going to take more than just exhorting people to spend money. I don't have any brilliant ideas but I do know in our house we are planning for a modest Christmas and I know many others are doing the same. One way or another the economy will have to adjust.
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Comment by Cupcake Pharaoh on December 1, 2008 at 11:46am - totally. and christmas is such a consumer scam anyway. i don't need to buy people crap to let them know that i love them.
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Comment by Cupcake Pharaoh on December 2, 2008 at 8:48am
- At least you didn't get trampled to death or shot. Ahh the Christmas spirit
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© 2009 Created by chantal
A few more ideas - have a party to assemble tamales, spend an afternoon rummaging through photo albums with family members and labeling photos, volunteer for a nonprofit organization, handwrite and mail a letter, give coupon books for babysitting services or running errands.
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