(By Kirsten Gorton) – Let’s face it. Our society is completely consumer-driven. If there are any doubts, take a look at the way Americans celebrate Christmas. Our commemoration of the season can be summed up into one word: shopping. Averaging the past ten years, every American spends an estimated $1,000 on Christmas gifts each year.* Here’s how it works: the media bombards us with advertisements, offering products guaranteed to bring that warm, fuzzy feeling for the holidays, and we inadvertently develop OCD (Obsessive Consumer Disorder), subsequently agreeing that the one important way to celebrate is to buy and buy and buy.
The problem with our commercialized Christmas is that the true meaning is lost. Santa Claus and the anticipation of presents becomes the central symbol of Christmas, and the expectation of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel is no longer at the heart of it all. The issue isn’t only that we have lost focus in result of our overindulgence, but that we are overindulging at the expense of the poor. You see, we don’t have any idea how the majority of these products are made; we don’t know whether or not they were made halfway across the world in a sweatshop where workers are compensated unjustly. So how does this kind of consumerism surrounding Christ’s birth reflect His teachings?
1 John 3:18 says this: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” This passage speaks of the importance of our actions; after all, they speak louder than our words. We need to ask ourselves this question: What do we say through our gift-giving? Sure, the purpose is to say to that person near and dear to our hearts that we appreciate and love them, but what are we saying about the poor, our environment, and the inequality around the world? We must say through our gift-giving that we care for these things the way Jesus does.
The Possibilities: 25 Alternatives
So what does this kind of gift-giving look like exactly? Below is a compiled list of twenty-five alternative gift-giving ideas for creative, eco-friendly and fairly traded:
Homemade gifts: Think about the most meaningful gift you have ever received. Chances are, it’s a homemade one. That’s because homemade gifts show appreciation and love through the evidence of time and energy spent, which means a lot more than dollars spent. They are also unique and creative, specially made for one person, instead of produced for the masses.
1 Vinyl Record Bowl
2 Collage Box
3 Notebook
4 Photo Cube
5 Magic Duct Tape Wallet
Instructions for any of these crafts can be found at craftsandrecipes.weebly.com. Check out one of these sites for more ideas and how-to guides: craftster.org, mindbites.com, diynetwork.com
Baked goods: Everyone loves a good dessert during the Christmas season, especially Sunday school teachers! (Unfortunately, I don’t think any of my 1st Grade Sunday school students are reading this.)
6 Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream
7 Fudge
8 Chocolate-covered Pretzels
9 Chex Mix
10 Trail Mix
Recipes for any of these items can be found at craftsandrecipes.weebly.com.
Check out one of these sites for recipes: foodnetwork.com, 101cookbooks.com
Love in Action: Give to the Salvation Army! Our Central Territory’s World Mission Bureau has a new initiative this year called “Love in Action.” Here’s how it works: You give money toward a specific need in another country and that donation is given in your friend or family member’s name. Think about how awesome that is! Your donation turns into a gift for a loved one and for someone who needs it most.
11 Uniforms ($30)
12 Mobility ($50)
13 Food ($35)
14 Mosquito Nets ($15)
15 Farm Animals ($30)
To donate, visit www.loveinaction.centralmissions.org.
Fair-trade products: Buy fair-trade products and bless the hands of those who have made them! Though some of these gifts may be a bit more costly, the money that you give will support fair compensation for the labor put into these cool gifts.
16 Doodlebook Frame: $16.50 (www.lumens.com)
17 12 oz. of Delicious Peace Coffee: $10.50 (deliciouspeace.com)
18 Kikoy Notebooks: $10.99 (amaniafrica.org).
19 Chocolate: $8.50 (chocolatebar.com)
20 Recycled Silk Sari Drawstring Bag$5.95 (thehungersite.com)
Visit any of these sites for more products: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com, globalexchange.com
Green Gifts: Do something for the environment and help a friend or family member reduce their carbon footprint! There are plenty of options to choose from.
21 Mikado Bag: $8.50 (envirosax.com).
22 Non-Planner Date book: $20 (fredflare.com).
23 Microwave-safe Porcelain Coffee Cups: $18.98 (ochelly.com)
24 Colored Pencils: $10 (fredflare.com)
25 Chesapeake Bay Candles: $9.99 (hesapeakebaycandles.com)
Visit any of these sites for more products: greengiftguide.com, peacefulcompany.com
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*Americanresearchgroup.com/holiday
