I'm not cranky, just introspective
I'm so relieved that we no longer have to guess what our kids might want for Christmas. We are inundated each day with catalogues and store brochures advertising all the big shiny things kids should ask for, and I'm pleased to not even open them.
Yesterday's paper had an article about being a New Age Grinch by giving giftees florescent light bulbs and clocks made of old cd's. It seems that people in my area are less than thrilled with these new 'green' gifts but, for people with a conscience, the holidays can be problematic.
K's family, for whom Christmas is a bigger deal gift-wise than mine, solved this problem years ago by declaring that gifts should be homemade. We put aside the notion that gifts needed to be large and showy and delighted in the fact that we no longer had to purchase things like sweaters for 30-something siblings who had all the sweaters they ever needed. My side of the family doesn't exchange gifts for adults, which I like, but as the Birds have older children, I do realize that it is difficult to buy for us. This year I have suggested gift cards. My kids love to shop at Target or Barnes and Noble and they can choose anything from motor oil to the books they've been considering.
K and I used to worry about what to make for people, whether they would enjoy what we think they'd enjoy and if they'd realize how hard we had worked. But we've let those worries go too, the point is that we were making something for the group.
One year I knitted scarves, one year we made pickles, one year we made sausage. I can't say what this year's gift is - it's due here today.
And what to do for the cousins?
The boys are getting magazine subscriptions (recycle them, boys) and the girls are getting different versions of these. I had a woodcarver make something for the baby cousin - I found him on Etsy.
I'd like to think we are being as green as we can without becoming Grinches.
Yesterday's paper had an article about being a New Age Grinch by giving giftees florescent light bulbs and clocks made of old cd's. It seems that people in my area are less than thrilled with these new 'green' gifts but, for people with a conscience, the holidays can be problematic.
K's family, for whom Christmas is a bigger deal gift-wise than mine, solved this problem years ago by declaring that gifts should be homemade. We put aside the notion that gifts needed to be large and showy and delighted in the fact that we no longer had to purchase things like sweaters for 30-something siblings who had all the sweaters they ever needed. My side of the family doesn't exchange gifts for adults, which I like, but as the Birds have older children, I do realize that it is difficult to buy for us. This year I have suggested gift cards. My kids love to shop at Target or Barnes and Noble and they can choose anything from motor oil to the books they've been considering.
K and I used to worry about what to make for people, whether they would enjoy what we think they'd enjoy and if they'd realize how hard we had worked. But we've let those worries go too, the point is that we were making something for the group.
One year I knitted scarves, one year we made pickles, one year we made sausage. I can't say what this year's gift is - it's due here today.
And what to do for the cousins?
The boys are getting magazine subscriptions (recycle them, boys) and the girls are getting different versions of these. I had a woodcarver make something for the baby cousin - I found him on Etsy.
I'd like to think we are being as green as we can without becoming Grinches.
Comments
This is a easy make-it-yourself item, no?
Of course I know she would SO much rather have that card to Anthropologie but I just am holding out for as long as I can. I want to to hand people BOXES!
I refuse to give adults presents that have children. My favorite gift giving rule is friends of mine who do give to adults but since it is Christmas it has to be TOYS.
Hubby was thrilled with the red wagon he had never got as a kid, I adore my pink Etch a Sketch! Oh my head aches thinking of it all!!
If I do give gift cards, there's usually something with it, such as a gourmet food treat or a framed photo.
I am appalled to think that I assumed it was Tuvalu wit.
You may not be cranky, but I clearly am. Perhaps etsy is the answer this year.
I could go on about the appalling explosion of consumerism that happens at this time every year but I think I feel a blog post coming on...
What a relief I have to say!
And in our case we will incorporate a home made element into each of the cousin's gifts.