Here goes….I’m going to out myself as the GRINCH!! Yes, I am a grinch when it comes to the ever increasing commercialization….the corporate robbery….of Christmas.
Even as a child, the whole thing seemed rather disingenuous and my mindset grows ever more determined to back out of all the folderol completely. I have been berated, shunned and, I’m sure, talked about behind my back as well. I’m anti-social, an atheist and a whole host of other names in the mind of people who don’t get my mindset. I was even told once that I was psychologically scarring my children by not going with the crowd.
I don’t care what people say. We’ve been sold another package of goods with respect to celebrating Christmas and for the same reasons that has made our food system about everything but food. It’s just another sham to suck the money out of your pocket!!
It’s so hard to resist, the guilt and shaming around gift giving is way off the top and you have to have a hard, hard shell not to cave. I saw this link come across my newsfeed recently and it underscores even more, why we need to rethink this holiday. Santa’s Real Workshop: The town in China that makes the world’s Christmas decorations.
You don’t have to give up celebrating Christmas….but like everything else on this EOM journey, I think you are compelled to question the impact of your choices. You vote with your dollars in a conscientious way with respect to your food purchases and I think the same level of care is required when you shop for anything else. Know how your purchasing decisions ripple out into the world and let that dictate where your money goes.
Christmas for me is about the 3 F’s….family, good food and fun!! I hope all of you wonderful EOM’ers have a season blessed with the 3F’s!!!
Kathy Parsons
8 Comments
Awesome TammyG!! It’s a process just like any journey and a step in the right direction is so empowering!! Initially, I tried to get others to join me in the process but the backlash was too strong so I just broke away finally and lived with what felt right to me.
Well said Kathy, I’m with you on this and have been for many years. I’d personally add friends to that list of “F’s” Happy Holidays to all 🙂 Let’s share the love.
You are so right Sylvia!! Friends definitely fit in the “F” list!! LOL!! Glad to know there is a clan of grinches to hare the journey with!!
Definitely how I feel also. I have been hassled for my choice to avoid gift giving as it is something that I think is not part of the intent of Christmas. Be nice to each other is the only present I want.. 🙂
<3 that Mary-Anne!! That's the best gift ever!!
Well said! We didn’t even have a tree this year. When Miss 6 asked me why I said ‘because I can’t see the point in cutting down a tree just for everyone to look at for a day’. Christmas has become too much more about money and not enough about family. We are pantheists so there is no religious meaning to the holiday for us but we’re given the holiday (through society) so we celebrate it in our own way for our own reasons.
That sounds perfect…Giving it your own meaning and building those memories with your children!!
Kathy, you have summed up exactly how I have been feeling more and more each year. I have to admit that I am still allowing myself to be sucked into it for fear of being judged harshly, as you mention in your blog. Not next year! I am going to let all friends and extended family know my position and those who choose to judge can piss off!