Buy Nothing Christmas
Within my theological and sociological circles, this is already old news. I think it is slowly gaining momentum, but I really don't think it will catch on, and reach a wider audience. I love the idea theologically AND economically. I have however not adopted it fully for these reasons:
- Perception - People already think I'm cheap. If I announce to everyone that I have ceased to buy gifts, that notion will only increase in popularity.
- Need - When December rolls around, I stop buying things for myself, so that I can have real things to write down on my Christmas list. I also put socks and underwear on my list, which are always welcome gifts, allowing me to put off doing laundry just a little longer. The things that I get for Christmas, I actually need, or I would at least buy them myself without the holiday.
- Present Reality - Christmas is already pretty low key materially at our house. I buy a $30 gift for one person in the family, and then, if I feel like it, splurge and get something for mom and dad, or a new baby in the family or something.
- Affection - It has been so hard-wired into us that we show love by giving. If I don't allow people to give me Christmas gifts, then some might feel as though I have cut off the avenue by which they show love to me.
- Stigma - I have views similar to some activists, but I don't want to be in your face about it, so I'm uncomfortable identifying myself with fringe groups for that reason. I know I should step out of my comfort zone sometimes, and when the cause is worthwhile, I'm sure I will.

When I write off the possibility of this working large scale, I am thinking about the kids that could not understand why they wouldn't be getting toys. I'm thinking of the family dynamics, the economics of it don't bother me. You might think this is because I am just a Mennonite pastor living in a theological bubble and unaware of those economic realities. I never studied economics in University, so you can write me off as an idealist, go ahead. However, I have spent most of my Christmas holidays in 3 of the last 4 years working at a retail outlet, and I talk to people everyday on all sides of the commercial jungle. Yes, Christmas shopping drives the economy, but that doesn't mean people will lose their jobs without it. Christmas shopping also kills the economy. Christmas stuff starts showing up in the stores around September, and right up until Christmas Eve, people line up to buy it. The week after, people are looking for sales when retailers blow out the stuff that didn't sell for Christmas. Then, for January, February and March, people don't shop. People lose their jobs because of Christmas. When the Christmas rush ends, people get laid off.

Our economy should be driven by real need for quality products, not marketing created desire and guilt ridden impulse shopping. Businesses survive when their products are good, their service is good, and they have a solid business plan, whether they are large corporations or independently run small stores.

Current economics will fail us. Buying crap we don't need, with money we haven't yet earned, will catch up to us all. Every day my uncle drives to work where they make 25% more cars than the company can sell. The union won't let the company make any fewer cars, and any decrease in production hurts a long food chain of smaller parts companies. An environment that allows and promotes that kind of thinking is what will destroy our economy, not a few religious idealists like me.

   [ posted by William @ 11:52 PM ]