The Rant of the Season

I go to a lot of garage sales with my 80 year old parents who just LOVE to do this on Saturday mornings.

It really gives you a good look at all the useless stuff that we gift to each other because the retailers guilt us into it.

I haven't done any shopping this year. It feels a little weird, but I have ruined Christmas for myself in years gone by. While everyone else was sitting by the fire, I felt I needed to be in the mall.

PS I think re-gifting is a great idea.

Great rant for the season!

At one point I had most of my possessions in a storage space while I was between houses. It was a revelation to realize how little of it I really needed on a day to day basis.

We don't need more stuff - the delight in a gift is always short lived, but the glow from spending time with friends and loved ones stays with us forever.

Joann, wonderful ranting post!  I like to give (and get) consumables:  coffee, wine, cognac, cookies, chocolate.  Really, what more does any one need? 

One of the items on my son's Christmas gift this year is "3 large cardboard boxes."  He wants to build a fort out of them.  Am I proud to see that on the list!

Our office is having a Yankee swap party, where each attendee brings something from home that they no longer want.  It can be new or used, a regift or just something that does not fit that person's style.  Should be a fun exchange.  I agree with you - no new stuff.

Hi Joeann -- Giving of oneself at the holidays, whether it's making food, desserts, or one's time, is what makes things special.

Joeann,

Behind you all the way!  Amen and Amen!

kp

I was just talking with my extended family about the gift exchanging and all the 'stuff' we collect year after year.  It just causes clutter and / or guilt (if you need to donate or re-gift).  I love that idea of giving gift cards for a shared experience.  Last year I made photo books and it was a big hit, especially with my neices.

Yes in this economy we realize our STUFF is just sitting in corners and places being unused and we are gathering up a carload to donate.  It's a good reminder to be grateful for what we have but that what we have is not what makes our lives, it's the people in them that we spend time with that makes life rich.  I am ever so grateful and have way too much STUFF, does it come with age that we get wiser or what?  I have always loved my stuff but seem to be outgrowing it as you said.  Hummmm.

Great post! I enjoy giving and receiving gifts as much as anyone, however, when I step back and look at what is going on, I get so turned off by all the commercialism, and "gotta have the latest greatest gadget" mentality that seems to overtake so many people this time of year. The last couple Christmases I have tried scaling back a little on the gifts and tried sharing more about what the season really means to me and trying to give it a more personal touch.

I agree with you! For me the winter holiday season is not something to "buy a gift and get it over with."  But rather memory building that makes it all worth it.  Something to share and make the moment meaningful with your loved ones.  Thank you for sharing! Great post!

I agree Christmas has lost some of it's meaning with the stress of what to give someone.  I like your ideas.  My children are all grown, but I remember the day when my wife would count the presents to make sure they were close in number and the kids would tear thru them and then look around like, "thats it".  Thanks for sharing

Joeann,

Thanks for showing us the way!  What a wonderful feature! Your rant is really not a rant... it is about a lifestyle change and as the world evolves I think it is the perfect message to get back to balance!  I am a big fan of "re gifting"  I am another big fan of doing SOMETHING with the person like going to a show,movie, spa day or dinner.  I have long taught my kids and grand kids to give gift certificate books which they make and include things like a back rub, helping with projects, putting away the ornaments things that they really don't want to do but will make the other person happy!  So the really learn what giving is! 

Have a wonderful Christmas filled with special memories!

Some of my favorite gifts to give are pictures and baked goodies.  My sons love to bake with me so it just adds to how much fun it is.

I love the flavor of a rant that has not a clue of toxicity! This is an elegant rant and we can all take a lesson. Have fun, Joeann, creating your calendars and certificates ...Many of us have watched for years as you get underway with your special gift-giving celebration. I know your family and friends enjoy your calendars all year long. It is a precious tradition and a beautiful way to let people know how special they are in your life.

I'm writing poems and attaching the verse to photos I took ... I've done this on occasion but never made it part of a Christmas gift-giving project. Here is an example: A Reinvention Chorale I created in Hawaii last year.

This year I will invest time in poetry as a labor of love.

I am not a fan of re-gifting as it will undoubtedly come back to haunt you one day, but I do believe in home-made gifts.  One of my favorites that I have received and still use 15 years is a fellow REALTOR gave me hand woven potholders (not the kids craft pot holders) and they are the BEST I've ever had.   I have made many, many gifts - chrocheted items, (I have a great afghan that can be made in a couple of days if you keep at it and it is gorgeous, heavy and warm) cookies, candies, this year fruit cakes that are GOOD - (Alton Brown - free range fruitcake), ceramic items for years, wreaths and other decorations.  I usually make one or more wreaths or afghans to raffle off.   This year a wreath for my church and in past years for our scholarship fund at our local board.   I donate to a worthy cause which differs each year - this year for Breast Cancer and our local REALTOR board collects toys for a child at our installation banquet in November.  This year, having lost my dog on Nov 8th, I am going to donate (unused food and $$$) to our shelter in her name.  One thing that I would like to do is voluneer at a homeless shelter.  We don't have one in our area so I give $$$ or food to the food pantry. 

No matter what you celebrate - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza - it doesn't matter, just make memories.  They are the best gifts ever!

I'm with you!  I LOVE Christmas.   Our favorite tradition is making candy together.  Fudge, coconut bon-bon's, toffee, cookies.   My son and I started this when he was little and we continue on to this day.  He's in college now and I actually think he looks forward to it more than I do.  The best part is the three of us sitting around the table with bowls of frosting decorating our cookies.  My poor husband is just terrible at cookie decorating but somehow his cookies always taste the best!!!

For my family (I have seven brothers and two sisters) I did something a little different this year.  Our mom is suffering with Alzheimer's. She still knows us all, thank God, but who knows for how much longer. The thought occurred to me that none of the kids have a recent picture of her.  So, I called a photographer friend of mine. We took mom and her two dogs outside this fall and did a photo shoot.  She had SO MUCH FUN.  I have to admit, the smile on her face and the joy she experienced that day is greater than ANY gift that could be purchased at a store.   That day in October was my Merry Christmas!

I can't wait for all the kids to receive a Christmas picture of mom and her pooches!

Merry Christmas!

What great ideas... Boris and I both try to make the gifts that we give at Christmas to family and friends. 

But my question is how to get rid of the STUFF - I am ashamed to admit that when Boris and I moved two years ago,it took us almost 8 months of packing and moving.  It was horrible.  It was during this move that I discovered things from my childhood had found their way into my home.  After 30 years of marriage and the military lifestyle - you'd think we wouldn't have much.  Ha!

Maybe we need a blog on how to get rid of that stuff to be able to unclutter and breathe going into the future. 

Joann, keep doing what you do!  You're my hero!

I have gotten and received gifts from Heifer.com.  This international aid group helps people help themselves. It is hard for any of us to understand what an animal can mean to a family in need, for themselves and for their families.  The stories are inspirational and will never be forgotten.  I know I remember who gave me that gift long after I will forget another gift!