With the winter holidays right around the corner many find themselves in the "shopping mode" that permeates the days leading up to the gift giving season. Some revel in the rampant consumerism while others must count each penny and make a pain staking decision of what they can afford to buy their loved ones. But is this the way it has to be? Do we have to buy each other things that will soon be out of date or even worse, tossed under the bed, out of mind?
I would love to say that I, for one, will be fighting the capitalist beast and foregoing gifts this year. But, the thought of not passing along a little something to those I love - to show my appreciation for them and all they do - is one that I cannot live with. I, along with much of the population, will be watching others tear through bright wrapping paper in order to get to their gifts. On the other hand, some of my gifts will be things that cannot easily be forgotten. Along with the ubiquitous articles of clothing and goodies, I will be giving donations to charities that recipients would support. Take that you big corporations!
If you are still looking for a different kind of gift, I urge you to do the same. Visit the websites below to find lists of charities that would appreciate donations.
Charity Navigator
The Hunger Site (click top tabs to find other resources)
Information on Charities
13 comments:
It's really hard to decide. The world today is greedy and always wants something, especially during Chirstmas. Spending money seems to be the only way to tradionally celebrate that holiday. Giving to charities is good and all, but this won't be acceptable to some.
Every kid seems to have that "gimme-gimme" feeling that makes you buy gifts for them. It's hard to decide whether to save or spend, especially during these tough times. Kids just have to accept the fact that times are changing and that not everyone can get what they want. So I'd much rather give to charities and know that someone is getting a good life rather than spoiling a kid who just wants something to get something new.
I really like what you are trying to do. I also believe we should give more to charities than spend on items that will be useless in a few years. But I believe we should still give gifts to the children in our families so they can have that "magic" of Christmas we all had at one point in our lives.
Giving donations to charity is such a great thing to do. It is so sad that some people can't afford to celebrate the holiday's like we do. I still believe we should buy gifts for the people we love, but also we should help people who aren't as fortunate as us. I once heard a quote that is very true about giving. It was, "Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege." I really like this quote. When you give someone something you feel good, I even feel better about giving a gift to someone than actually receiving something.
I believe it's not that important to give out gifts and I don't know why people expect them. It's definitely more important to appreciate the simpler things. I think a better gift is spending time with the people one loves instead of a tangible object. Besides, the object might be fun at the time, but it will get old. Other things in life never get boring and should be appreciated more.
Thats a really great idea, i totally understand what you mean about having to give gifts to your loved ones. I mean, i dont even have a consistant job, i babysit, and I buy gifts for my family and friends. Its tough having to reach into your walet and spend money on things people wont use in 3 months. But.... i do it because if i didnt i'd feel so extremely guilty. I really do like your idea though and me and my mom are checking out some of the websites below right now.
I feel that this always happens even I get gifts I never use or use for a little and just leave it alone. That's why now, I think a lot on what i should give and ask for Christmas for me now isn't so much about getting things because I have everything I need within reason (all of us want crazy expensive things we know we can't have.) Also it's good to give to charities all year round, but especially Christmas I can't believe how it is for those young kids and it really is sad.
I believe that things we receive from past Christmases that we don't use anymore we should donate those items to the Charity's. Also, I think everyone should donate at least one gift to any charity. If everyone would do that, that would be enough to give a child in need at least two or three gifts. Maybe even more! Today people in society are greedy and when they receive a gift, they will barely use it then just store t somewhere. Give that gift to a child who really needs it.
I am all for giving some money to charity, but what about the christmas tradition of giving gifts? little kids still believe that if they are good, santa claus will bring them whatever they want. its a tradition shared all over the world. and we shouldnt forget about it.
I'll never forget how magical waking up on Christmas morning was. Of course that's before I found out I've been lied to all my life. But as i was saying the true magic of Christmas is really that magical feeling of believing and the bringing family and friends together. Every year my family adopts a family and we give them all their presents threw an agency. I really wish I could see their faces when they opened their presents, but the parents usually always write us back telling us how great we made their Christmas. I really have to say there's no better gift then just giving to others. More people should try to donate to families as well. Those who aren't are really missing out, it's probably one of the greatest feelings in the world.
If we are really in the giving spirit we should donate to non-profitable charities. It would be a good alternative to spending hard earned money on toys and electronics that will be out-dated in less than a year. If we gave to charities like "Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation" the holiday season would have more meaning.
Today's society is so bent on getting gifts that they make it the center of the holidays. I too am some what guilty of that, when I hear the word Christmas the first thing that comes to mind is presents. So if we can give instead of receive, this holiday season would be much more enjoyable and more meaningful.
I applaud the fact that you choose to give to a charity instead of a person who will probably, like you said, end up forgetting about your gift. It seems like every year the spending epidemic only gets worse. For most people, the holidays have become a time for expensive gifts instead of family get-togethers, religion, and quality time by the fire drinking eggnog. It is a very admirable decision to give to someone who doesn't exactly have a lot. I really do wish that some people would come to their senses and realize the holidays do not have to revolve around money and gift exchanges.
Because I am a child, I guess I have a more biased view on this, but personally I don't think there is something wrong with buying gifts for your family, as long as it is within a reasonable price. This year the only thing I wanted was an electric guitar and an external hard drive for my laptop (and then my laptop broke so it doesn't even matter). Really the only thing I care about is spending time with my family. Well it's more like my dad's side of the family, I'd shoot myself if I had to spend time with my mom's side, but really all I want is that guitar and maybe some new shirts.
I think that donating to charities is great. Making other people's lives better is always awesome. Even those small donations add up over time. When I was younger I would bug my mom every time Publix had one of those charity posters in the line. I would make her do a dollar donation.
I think that this is a great idea! I always love helping out charities. I have been working with the Salvation Army's Angle Tree for several years now. When I am there I always give money to them for the dinner they buy for the families. It always makes me think when I see some of the things the kids want most for christmas. These little kids write that they want a new shirt or a doll. It reminds me that their is more than just gifts to the holidays. That more important that what you get is what you do with it. Like you said most things get thrown out or break. So I am being way more careful when I am shopping this year.
Post a Comment