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.