(Nan’s Note: The holidays do not have to be an exercise in mass-consumption a la The Coneheads – ‘Consume. Mass. Quantities.’ The giving meaning of the holidays has gotten lost at the mall, and our society needs to rethink what it means and how to deal with it. I saw a quote today that may help put the holidays into perspective: ‘What would Jesus buy?’ Um… nothing. He would give of himself.
I wrote Creative Christmas Consumption just before Black Friday (what a hideous name for a supposedly joyous holiday event!) to address the shopping, giving and environmental issues, but it bears repeating. I found this article at Alernet this morning, and could not help but share it.)
By Sarah Sloane O’Kelley
The holidays can mean big expenses and lots of waste (not to mention the emotional costs). Here’s how to avoid all that mess.
Our American vision of the holidays is like a Norman Rockwell painting — cheery-faced family members surrounding a table covered with a feast of the richest foods imaginable, and a tree in the background covered with tinsel and lights and surrounded by brightly wrapped boxes in every size and shape imaginable. The turkey is always plump and moist, the gifts are always better than last year’s, and families become closer, having shared such abundance and joy.
Sadly, that’s nowhere near the reality for most of us.
Find out how to ease the environmental and emotional impact of the holiday season at Alternet.
