- Francis Pharcellus Church
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Yes, Virginia (and readers) there is a Santa Claus. The urge to give generously is the best part of the holiday. Unfortunately the pressure to give generously (as in beyond your physical or financial capacity) is the worst part. I thought we had reached a new nadir when a Walmart worker was trampled to death the day after Thanksgiving. To die a senseless death is bad enough, but to die because a mob of people wanted to save 19.95 plus tax on some item is indescribably sad.
This is not a new concept. I have written and ranted about it for years. I, like most of you - parents, partners, children, siblings, extended family, co-workers, associates and friends - want the 'best' for my children and everyone else on the long list of my personal human community. It's normal. But that 'best', that impulse to generosity and giving has been taken hostage by marketing forces writ large. There's a whole lot of advertising dollars dedicated to making you believe that the quality of love is reflected in the quality, quantity and expense of the gifts you give. That's not normal. Love is not a box set. And yet, advertising and it's messages and expectations get in. We consume. We shop. We over do it.
I remember every one of my vegetarian Christmas's when I had to battle the inexplicable urge to purchase and prepare a crown roast. In retrospect, it seems I had dangerously overdosed on Martha Stewart.
I have a couple of questions for you. Take a moment and think about your favorite holiday memories. Take a moment and think about your favorite holiday gifts over the years. Which ones do you remember? Why?
Admittedly I do not possess the best memory, but I really don't remember most of the gifts I've received over the years. Do you? So, at the risk of appearing humbugish - I suggest gifting people with stuff they don't even remember seems like a waste of resources. How about this? - buy less, consume less. And please don't replace the urge to give with exhausting yourself in other ways - do less. Remind yourself what this holiday is about. Even if you are not a Christian celebrating the anniversary of a glorious birth, there is still love, generosity and devotion. And remind yourself too, that the spirit of love, generosity and devotion doesn't have to be poured out all at once in late December. We have access to it all year long.
See you in church!
This is not a new concept. I have written and ranted about it for years. I, like most of you - parents, partners, children, siblings, extended family, co-workers, associates and friends - want the 'best' for my children and everyone else on the long list of my personal human community. It's normal. But that 'best', that impulse to generosity and giving has been taken hostage by marketing forces writ large. There's a whole lot of advertising dollars dedicated to making you believe that the quality of love is reflected in the quality, quantity and expense of the gifts you give. That's not normal. Love is not a box set. And yet, advertising and it's messages and expectations get in. We consume. We shop. We over do it.
I remember every one of my vegetarian Christmas's when I had to battle the inexplicable urge to purchase and prepare a crown roast. In retrospect, it seems I had dangerously overdosed on Martha Stewart.
I have a couple of questions for you. Take a moment and think about your favorite holiday memories. Take a moment and think about your favorite holiday gifts over the years. Which ones do you remember? Why?
Which ones do you think your children or partner, or parents or siblings or extended family or co-workers or associates or friends remember? Ask them. And if they do remember, ask them 'why'. I do not recommend this with anyone who has received a commercial fruitcake. They will probably hit you with it.
Admittedly I do not possess the best memory, but I really don't remember most of the gifts I've received over the years. Do you? So, at the risk of appearing humbugish - I suggest gifting people with stuff they don't even remember seems like a waste of resources. How about this? - buy less, consume less. And please don't replace the urge to give with exhausting yourself in other ways - do less. Remind yourself what this holiday is about. Even if you are not a Christian celebrating the anniversary of a glorious birth, there is still love, generosity and devotion. And remind yourself too, that the spirit of love, generosity and devotion doesn't have to be poured out all at once in late December. We have access to it all year long.
See you in church!
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