Christmas Trinkets

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Christmas Trinkets
5
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 8:10pm

I was thinking this morning at work during a lull in the craziness: When did it get so important to have to buy such extravagent gifts for the holidays? Why do we feel bad if we can't give an exciting gift or get one? Isn't a pretty little trinket good enough to let you know I am thinking of you? Does it mean more if I give you a plasma TV? How does it mean more? And don't we really get more anxious about what we have to give or recive really based on advertising? And why should we expect to receive so much from others? If gift giving wasn't part of Christmas, wouldn't the holiday mean as much?

Just on my mind.......................Littlesbigs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 8:18am

Agree, agree, agree.

There was a time (I'm told) when kids used to get excited about receiving an orange and some candy in their stocking.

I've seen a book at the library I've been meaning to check out--something about the "invention" (ie total commercialization) of Christmas over the past 50 years.

I was defintely limited to giving small, carefully picked out 'I love you/I'm thinking of you gifts' this year, but I am more satisfied with them than if I had been able to go on a spending spree at the mall!




iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 4:24pm

Yes! Remember a Little House on the Prarie episode where the girls got sugar and mittens and they were thrilled? Or that Waltons Christmas? (not as in Wal-mart, hahaha!) They got simple things and were happy. I'm happy with small things.....But I never get what I really want: WORLD PEACE!!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
Fri, 12-03-2004 - 7:10pm

All I want is to be able to have some real greenery in the house. I'm actually HOPING that I don't receive material things this year. My moving van is rented for Dec. 20-22 and I know I'm going to be giving stuff away before I move (for the THIRD time this year).

Christmas of 2000 was very, very materialistic with the most lavish presents, and it was also the WORST Christmas I remember. Emotionally it was terrible and uncomfortable, and ever since then we've been scaling it back.

I work for a radio station and so I see how Christmas is really just another marketing opportunity (radio revenues derive from the commercials).

I want Christmas to be simply a time to relax and enjoy the company of other people and enjoy the season with greenery and decorations. I don't want it to be about things anymore.

R.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Sat, 12-04-2004 - 7:57am

I told a friend that for Christmas this year I wanted her to make me a coupon for some of her time to go have an adventure...I don't need stuff this year either. The concept of time for myself and a nice cup of tea and a cookie and maybe a drive around town to see the decorations to be my holiday is all I want.

Of course, I am going shopping this morning with my SO's family who have these lavish gift-giving Christmases that I never had before ...makes me uncomfortable....and I don't know what to get them, so I am going to take notes as we shop. I may not buy a lot today.

Littlesbigs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-1999
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 6:56am
I was just thinking of memorable Christmas gifts I have received over the years and why they were so terrific. It boils down to the fact that the person thought about who I am and my lifestyle when choosing or making the gift. In each case the person set aside their own tastes and concentrated on what worked for me. In most cases the gifts had been handmade and were fairly inexpensive. We have a rule in our household that gifts do not have to be big , expensive, or even new... they just have to be cool and reflect that you thought about the person. In our family most of us shop all year. Not only does it spread out any expense and allow us to find bargins, but it gives us a chance to find really cool gifts in unusual places.