Comments on: Why I Christmas Shop

By: Make Something Day - My Thoughts

Make Something Day - My Thoughts — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:06:45 +0000

[...] my grandmother knitted it. Call me heartless, but that's the way it is. I described my gift giving rationale last year. Basically I try to shop for that which is wanted/needed – not making something, or [...]

By: aamirka » Why I Christmas Shop

aamirka » Why I Christmas Shop — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:30:29 +0000

[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here's a quick excerptIn 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. … [...]

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:53:47 +0000

thanks Julie, i agree with you – giving is a good thing and something worth practicing

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:29:53 +0000

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.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:55:23 +0000

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.

By: christmas shop

christmas shop — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:33:32 +0000

[...] Why I Christmas Shop [...]

By: n0t_about_you » Why I Christmas Shop

n0t_about_you » Why I Christmas Shop — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:33:27 +0000

[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here's a quick excerptI 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. Tags: Christmas, Consumerism, Buy Nothing Day, Ethical Consumption, … [...]

By: Swinging from the Vine | I like giving gifts

Swinging from the Vine | I like giving gifts — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:01:15 +0000

[...] with Julie this year. I like giving, I like thoughtfully purchasing gifts and giving them. I like buying my [...]

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:00:48 +0000

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…

By: sonja

sonja — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:26:20 +0000

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.