Thoughts on Christmas

I have been thinking a great deal about what an affluent society we live in. We often live both personally and as a society beyond our means, not only financially but in relation to the limited resources of this world. I have been thinking of what lessons our lifestyle is teaching our children; “If you want it just have it,” “have it now,” “don’t wait” and “I deserve whatever I desire.”

I don’t think this attitude of entitlement is going to serve us or future generations very well.

How to Celebrate

These thoughts have led me to ponder the celebrations in our family (i.e., Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Mother’s & Father’s days). What is the actual meaning behind these celebrations? Is it merely a token exchanging of material gifts or something deeper?

Our family is blessed to have the means to provide for all our basic needs and many of our wants as well, but a single read of the newspaper or watch of the TV news will attest to the fact that many in our world don’t. Should I therefore give up all the comforts of my life to help those less fortunate? Or maybe a start is to live more simply and sustainably so the resources can be used more equitably?

Questions

This year I have decided to ask myself some questions before purchasing any gifts, they are as follows:

• Will this gift show real care, love and thoughtfulness to the recipient?
• What will happen to this gift in the long term once the receiver has finished with it – will it be able to be passed on, will it be recyclable or will it be landfill?
• Is it well made and of lasting quality?
• Are there materials that are environmentally damaging in its manufacture?
• Have those who made this been fairly paid and treated?
• Is this affordable and within my means?
• Is a material gift actually necessary?
• Does this person actually have a need for this gift?
• Is the packaging excessive?

The more we have, the more we want, and the less satisfied and content we seem to be. This doesn’t make us happy. Do we want to give our children momentary happiness or life long happiness and contentment?

• Gifts of time or experiences are often more memorable and long lasting.
• Homemade is special.
• Books, items of wooden, cloth or other natural materials are often longer lasting and more likely to get passed on to the next generation. (Think what sort of toys you see most on curbside collections.)

For adults who don’t really need anything, thoughtful, homemade or small useful gifts are great.

The Heifer Project and World Vision have useful gift catalogues to help those in developing countries.

Giving should come from the heart and not obligation or duty. It sure can get tiresome and stressful thinking of something to give in a society where many don’t want for anything. None of us ever has too much love though, do we?

I also wanted to let you know where we are coming from the next time you get a jar of jam and a goat for someone in Uganda from us.

Michelle Gates lives in Melbourne, Australia.