Posted on 12/11/2019 8:23:26 PM PST by mkleesma
I consider myself a minimalist. Too much stuff gives me all kinds of stress, from ecological to financial. Im a big believer in experiential gifts and spending time (together), not wads of money.
But Im buying my kids presents this year.
They're tangible, need to be unwrapped and aren't just experiences or vouchers. And Im feeling good about it. Its not out of guilt or peer pressure, or any of those other powerful emotions. There is a method to my consumerism.
First of all, when I say Im buying my kids presents, I dont mean a pile of plastic, electronics or toys. I am not anti-toy in the past I have purchased Lego sets. Pored over the Maplelea Doll catalogue. Become well-versed in BeyBlades and My Little Pony. But this year, my kids seem to have enough of those items. They didnt even appear on wish lists. And so Ive changed my approach.
So for Christmas I decided to gift my kids items that they need and that appeal to their sense of adventure: excellent day packs, perfect for carrying essentials whether exploring a national park or a city.
I also researched to find ones made by truly ethical companies that employ fair trade practices and that help the workers, not risk their safety. I even found neat packs that are made from the remnants of other products. The rainbow pattern for each is individual and based on the preferences of the worker, not a blueprint. My kids and I will talk about the unique and creative process behind these bags, and how it is important to support ethical and sustainable manufacturers with our all-important buying power.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
Agreed but, as you point out, there is a lot of apparent eco-baggage as well.
Speaking personally, I as a gift giver and as a conserving conservative, look first at the desires and then find appropriate matches that encourage individualism and responsibility as much possible.
We should not surrender the concept of *conserving* to the LEFT, it is a vital part of OUR political DNA. I take joy in minimizing my use of most things AND it ALSO is quite rewarding to my bank account which is a talking point in my conversations. I live a Christian concept of being a good steward of my talents which is ANOTHER poke at the atheistic LEFT who ignore where this concept originates!
God Bless all & a Merry Christmas to all!
No bows & arrows?
“A football is not a very good Christmas present.”
Yes indeed... “Aye, Aye, Aye...”
Handgun, extra ammo, survival knife, water purifier....etc. Probably not
Darn right!
Amazing what a little KClO3 and table sugar can do! And the method to combine them was published in the paperback version of the guide to amateur rocketry. You could get a little far off the straight and narrow!
That collection may be a bit much for five year old kids. When the kids are grown, they can get their own survival essentials. Mom is setting the table for them for later.
Once my stepmom gave my sister and me (the other stepdaughter) umbrellas for Christmas. We felt about them like you felt about getting socks.
Good grief. The Left has gone completely berserk.
Police were involved in my youthful experiment that led to the loss of my chemistry set ;)
The left has BEEN completely berserk for decades.
It’s never been this bad.
Its like spreading cancer.
It actually is social cancer.
Or mass insanity.
Oops! We lived 3 miles out of town on 10 acres and it was very secluded. Noise and smoke was not a problem as long as the house and barn did not catch on fire!
My boys are grown, 1 is married with a 2 yr old, the other seperated with a 18 yr old who goes off to trade school when school starts. Both are getting Air Fryers. Eldest is a Type 2 Diabetic, so it should help him, his son is also overweight. I got him ear/speak buds so he can drive a 30 yr old car without being given tickets, and he gets a NRA knife.
Youngest will have a healthier 2 yr old and maybe a slightly slimmer wife with a Airfryer. 2 yr old gets learning toys and clothes. His wife will get a gift card so she can get what she wants or needs.
Kathy Douglas, the girl next door, was willing to be Dale Evans, but only if I would also play in her playhouse and be the Daddy.
Forgot to mention those.
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