Comments on: Are Christmas presents really the problem? http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/ Erika Carney Haub's musings on life and God from South Central, L.A. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:30:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Chris http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-88622 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:27:23 +0000 http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-88622 Very good point. I generally am not one who enjoys much the "consumer" aspects of Christmas at all, but actually do like the giving especially of things unique. My issue is primarily with the excesses in spending, which you'd think I wouldn't have any issue with considering we are also quite frugal any other time of the year... I wrote about this topic a few weeks ago (<a href="http://ccjjharmon.wordpress.com/2007/11/10/christmas-and-gifts/" rel="nofollow">Christmas and gifts</a>) and we probably will be doing a few of them but did end up buying some things (in particular, some candles) for cheap. Very good point. I generally am not one who enjoys much the “consumer” aspects of Christmas at all, but actually do like the giving especially of things unique. My issue is primarily with the excesses in spending, which you’d think I wouldn’t have any issue with considering we are also quite frugal any other time of the year…

I wrote about this topic a few weeks ago (Christmas and gifts) and we probably will be doing a few of them but did end up buying some things (in particular, some candles) for cheap.

]]> by: john page http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-88300 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:26:28 +0000 http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-88300 Great post. If you want to give, give. Awareness of crazy consumption is helpful of course. In our family, we try to give something that is unique to the person. Great post. If you want to give, give. Awareness of crazy consumption is helpful of course. In our family, we try to give something that is unique to the person.

]]> by: Paul http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-87485 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:50:53 +0000 http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-87485 Hmmm good thoughts :) I think that that christmas, as a practice of giving, of chosing presents for others, of having to stop thinking of self for awhile and practice generousity and bringing happiness into the lives of others is a great thing. After all presents are part of the christmas story - it is what the wise do - whether that's a God in giving themselves so generously or wise men who turn up to bring a prophetic blessing... Of course there is a negative, consumer crazed side to be aware of but presents in and of themselves strike me as a v good thing still... Hmmm good thoughts :)

I think that that christmas, as a practice of giving, of chosing presents for others, of having to stop thinking of self for awhile and practice generousity and bringing happiness into the lives of others is a great thing. After all presents are part of the christmas story - it is what the wise do - whether that’s a God in giving themselves so generously or wise men who turn up to bring a prophetic blessing…

Of course there is a negative, consumer crazed side to be aware of but presents in and of themselves strike me as a v good thing still…

]]> by: PTL http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-87481 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:39:41 +0000 http://erika.haub.net/are-christmas-presents-really-the-problem/11/#comment-87481 I tried dropping much of the gift giving one year in favor of simplifying the holidays. Also, recognizing that there really is very little that I need at my age, why put the need to buy something for me on someone else for Christmas? My Christmas felt really empty - I missed all that joy of trying to think of that special something for my loved ones, and had spent too much time thinking of "simplicity". I still choose to be aware of not "overspending" and staying out of the "consumerism mentality", but have given myself permission to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the season of giving!!! After all, the ones I give to are my most loved ones in my life, and I give what I can to the rest of the world throughout the rest of the year. But for me, Christmas is my opportunity (in addition to birthdays) to say "I love you" to the ones who are nearest and dearest to my heart. I tried dropping much of the gift giving one year in favor of simplifying the holidays. Also, recognizing that there really is very little that I need at my age, why put the need to buy something for me on someone else for Christmas? My Christmas felt really empty - I missed all that joy of trying to think of that special something for my loved ones, and had spent too much time thinking of “simplicity”.

I still choose to be aware of not “overspending” and staying out of the “consumerism mentality”, but have given myself permission to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the season of giving!!! After all, the ones I give to are my most loved ones in my life, and I give what I can to the rest of the world throughout the rest of the year. But for me, Christmas is my opportunity (in addition to birthdays) to say “I love you” to the ones who are nearest and dearest to my heart.

]]>