The last couple of weeks a realization has hit me… when I don’t go into stores, I want for little (this goes for wanting to buy things for my children). Our lives are full, we all have what we need and more. As Christmas approaches I have ventured out into the stores on a few occasions and BAM! “Oh, the kids would like this and that… isn’t that pretty… this would look great on the table…”
Commercials seem to have this effect on my kids, when they get to watch television they suddenly want EVERYTHING. There is nothing I see advertised that I then think, “oh, I want that”. For me, its a touch and feel kind of thing, which is why I also don’t do much online shopping.
Get me into the mall and my head starts spinning. Suddenly all the soft fabrics, shiny boxes and brightly colored toys grab my attention. It becomes an internal fight to NOT buy.
I know I am not alone here, so my advice to you is to stay out of the stores. It’s hard to stick with a handmade holidays pledge if you browse the aisle at Target or meander through a shopping mall. Stay home. If you feel the need to shop, hit a second hand store or a small crafty shop.
Better yet refill your coffee mug, sit back and breathe. That’s so much better than fighting the madness at the mall.
Photo from Dreamstime under RF-LL terms.
Too true! There was such a change in my son the day he first realized that the commercials he always wanted me to fast forward through on a recorded show was actually showing toys! Suddenly he has more wants. Rats!
Seriously, one of the things I do is shop as little as possible. I try for one trip a week, me alone. If my hubby or the kids come along, I know there’s going to be begging.
My own defenses against impulse purchases have gotten pretty good. Saves a lot of money, a lot of clutter, and is much better for the environment.
For the holidays this year I have much of my extended family looking at simplifying. More used items being passed around, more activities being given as gifts. I think it will make things very special.
Well, I have in-laws and my own family asking what I want for Christmas, as well as the holiday secret Santa thing at the office.
I have requested first and formost that anybody who wants to get me anything instead make a donation to a human rights or environmental organization. They get to feel like they’ve given something, I don’t have to find the room to store more junk, it doesn’t involve a gift card to a store that has gone under, and somebody we don’t even know gets the benefit. Everybody wins.
When giving, I tend to send care packages of home-baked goodies, some fair-trade chocolate and coffee, and a couple of items the recipient can actually use — even if that means getting mauled at the mall a little bit. Kids are a different story, although hubby and I have a tradition of going for the cheap and very fun toys for the large family of brothers’ and sisters’ kids. We get things like balsawood fliers, small games, etc that they can play with as soon as they are opened. If you’re looking for something a little more for your own kids, game software is also a good option. There are a lot of titles out there, can be ordered online, and keeps the young’uns entertained for hours.
It helps to remember that you can keep holiday traditions without going bankrupt or getting gunned down in a parking space firefight. Decking the halls with popcorn and cranberry garlands is something I used to do with mom when I was a kid. Paper snowflakes on the windows and origami birds on the tree are always traditions that I will cherish.
Making your own cards on the printer and mailing them out is cheap and fun. Not to mention there are all kinds of holiday memories made in the kitchen — Yum! We also go to a local living history settlement that does great holiday stuff, and take in the lessons and carols at one of the bigger churches downtown.
Cheap or free, no mall headaches, no consumerism. These are the things that I really love about the season.
We are also big fans of homemade goodies… we can jams and make cookie mixes in a jar. Everyone loves food!
Thanks for all your great ideas!
better yet donate to a worthy cause. they are really hurting for contributers during this economic downturn