As part of the Thanksgiving holiday, I took my family to see a new movie prduced by Morgan Spurlock called What Would Jesus Buy? The movie follows the theatrics of the Rev. Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping. I thought it would be good for my sometmes shopaholic daughters to learn a bit more about commercialism and it’s impact on our culture, our environment and our happiness. Is more stuff really the answer? How can we stop the Shopocalypse?
This movie, while quite funny, makes you stop and think. Here in America, not only do we consume lots of junk food, we also consume lots of junk. The parallels are clear: Clothing made in sweatshops in 3rd world countries by underpaid child labor isn’t much different from burgers that are made from industrial corn fed feedlot beef. When you start to consider where your food and your “stuff”comes from, you want to make different buying decisions.
This holiday season, instead of instead of buying things people don’t really need with money you might not really have, why not re-think your gift giving habits? Here are some ideas for gifts that can fit any budget:
Instead of store bought “gourmet” food products, why not make the people on your list some homemade soup or cookies? Spend a day with your kids baking or cooking those holiday gifts.
How about buying gifts of services from local sources. Here are some ideas:
- a massage or Reiki session from a local bodyworker
- some chartwork with an astrologist
- cooking classes with a nearby holistic health counselor
- acupuncture session or a private ChiGung lesson with a practitioner of Chinese medicine
- foot reflexology session
Tickets to a concert or a show can be a great idea which can give you special time spent with your friend or loved one.
How about giving the gift of your time? http://www.newdream.org/holiday/kit/gift_of_time_cards.pdf
If you must buy “stuff” think of how your purchases can build community instead of destroy it, consider buying from a local business instead of things from a big box store. You’ll save time, gas and unnecessary stress.
The list of creative inexpensive and eco-friendly gifts goes on and on. See more at the Center for a New American Dream website: http://www.newdream.org/holiday/giftideastaff.php
