Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas time

Driving through town Christmas is all over, lights, decorations, Christmas music, you name it the holiday is out by force.  I have to wonder if the holiday is out by force or if retailers are out by force.  Those out by force are companies who desire for us to consume more and more to buy new things because we are out of style.  Their message is clear, "if you want happiness, buy this".  Shopping has made us to believe that we aren't truly living unless we have the new ipod, wii or clothing from that cool store in the mall.  The American dream is more like the Walmart dream, or the American Eagle dream.  Christmas has become a day of stress, of shopping and pressure of buying, not family.  Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of selfless deeds, good hearts and generosity that comes out for Christmas and great time with family.  I would just rather see the later than the former.  The question of Christmas is "what do you want for Christmas".  Want.  Is what we want driven by our hearts and love for those around us or is it driven by what society deems as needed?  With advertisements at a record high and name brands dominating society, it is hard to not want what they have.  Lets want more for those in need and less of those things that rot in your closet or becomes out of style by spring anyway.  How much of what you received for Christmas last year you still have?  Is it being used or just taking up space?

If you are having a hard time figuring out what to get that person on your list consider these few ideas.
-Take them out for a meal and quality time.
-Give a gift in their name places like a local soup kitchen or local charity
-Donate through these organizations that bring education, clean water and ways of making a living for people across the globe who are enduring extreme poverty that can leave them sick, hungry and in need of help.
-Buy your gifts from places that do not use child labor,  pay workers fairly, have fair working conditions and do not destroy our planet in the process of making those items.  Sometimes those gifts we give are paid for by those who made them through their sweat, pain and hunger.  Check out places you get your gifts.  When possible always buy fair trade.