Why I Christmas Shop
In light of recent blog posts and Buy Nothing/Make Something days I feel like I need to state this as a confession – I Christmas shop. Of course there are a few of you who read this blog who might not understand the dilemma. For you, buying gifts for friends and family at Christmas is just a natural part of Christmas. But in this missional/justice oriented subculture (of which I am obviously deeply committed to) I feel like Christmas shopping is a sin I need to confess to committing. Kinda like how I still use disposable diapers for Emma.
Let me clarify. I am very much against rampant consumerism and greed. The American mindset that more is better and “I want, I want” is disgusting and displays more allegiance to an economic system than it does to way of Christ. A recent Walmart commercial displays this dichotomy as it has a mother of twins saying, “Sure, peace on earth sounds great, but unless I buy two of everything there is no peace in my house.” The greed and need to buy just for the sake of getting something doesn’t sit well with me. I didn’t go shopping this past weekend, so I guess I participated in Buy Nothing day, but I didn’t end up making anything either. Basically I lounged around and watched many episodes of Gilmore Girls and The Office on DVD with my in-laws.
So while I can eschew forms of extreme consumerism, I’m a bit more uncomfortable with some of the messages I’m hearing in the emerging/missional camps this year. The recent round of ridicule of Brian McLaren for his request that people buy his book reveal attitudes of judgementalism towards anyone who spends money on anything. Personally I’m not a huge fan of utterly rejecting the economic system. I’m more for engaging with it thoughtfully and ethically. Which is what led to this confession. This Christmas I am buying gifts. I am not just giving charity. I am not buying only Fair Trade. I am not making my gifts. And I am not going Dark for Darfur.
I like giving gifts. I especially like giving practical gifts that people will use and enjoy. Sure I will give charity, sure I’ll limit how much I give, and sure I’ll buy Fair Trade when possible. But I am also going to do my best to give gifts people want and need. I talk enough about Fair Trade that I assume people know that I am very very supportive of the concept. But I don’t see the need to buy fairly traded home decor gifts that people don’t really want or need just so that I can buy something fairly traded. Similarly I sew a lot and run a small quilting business. But raggy quilts aren’t everyone’s style, so I’m not going to clutter someone’s home with a gift they don’t like but feel obligated to use and display. To me to buy fair trade or spend time making something (that isn’t needed or wanted) just to be able to give something is more consumeristic and wasteful than ordering them a book they really want from their Amazon Wishlist.
So yes I participate in the cultural norms of the season. I don’t reject the trappings of the holiday or fear them unnecessarily. I guess you can say I try to participate in them in moderation. I give gifts, but attempt to do so thoughtfully. I’m not obsessing over decorations, or parties, or cookies (although I have in years past). I have no problem enjoying the cultural traditions alongside the religious roots. And I am trying to not let everyone else make me feel guilty because of it.
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julieclawson(at)gmail(dot)com 
Sounds good. I have no problem with people celebrating Christmas, even if they do so with gift giving.
I don’t personally celebrate Christmas, but that’s mostly because my family didn’t celebrate it for most of my childhood and I saw no reason to begin after I moved out on my own since it wouldn’t have the same meaning to me that it does for someone who grew up celebrating it.
Julie, because you already sew, you might enjoy this blog: http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/ . It’s called Sew, Mama, Sew and she’s posting a list of tutorials every day for the month of November. They are themed, e.g. today is fabric boxes. The other day was winter warmth, so she had scarves and mittens. I’ll be shopping too, fwiw, and making some things. Some things will be FT, some things won’t. But like you, they will be thoughtfully purchased with the recipient in mind. I don’t have time to make quilts for everyone, but maybe I can make oven mitts or something like that. But I do the best I can do with what I have. It’s all I got.
Julie, I agree — all things in moderation. And do I really think I’d make it past Christmas morning alive with 4- and 5-year olds if there weren’t some “normal” presents under the tree? Seriously, I’m trying to make myself aware of the issues of consumerism and justice in my life — thinking about how I prepare for Christmas is part, but by no means all, of that process. As it happens I’ve always hated Christmas shopping and feel awkward about gift-giving in general, so maybe it’s a spiritual discipline for me to put a little more thought into what I give, no matter where it comes from. Anyway, I find the conversation helpful…
I so agree with you, Julie. We have in the past been overly caught up in the consumerism but after some soul searching this year in all areas and evaluating the “too much stuff” problem, we have been having discussions about how to go about celebrating Christmas in a way that focusses more on Christ and time for us to be together and less on what we get. Being a parent of three (6,4 and 2) I also believe that we do have to do this in moderation. So this year we are greatly scaling down and getting our children things that are of actual value for their development as little people vs. buying whatever toys are on sale. I have my older 2 working on Christmas lists but with a twist. What they will make/buy for others. We want to focus on the giving vs. getting this year. So far, they are quite excited to be a part of the “giving” to others and have been quite insightful about what they think others can use.
Sonja – thanks for the link
Jenn – It’s amazing how much depth kids do have when we give them the opportunity. They have a lot to teach us.
thanks Julie, i agree with you – giving is a good thing and something worth practicing