An Excess Of…Gifts.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, opinion, politics, question

In just ten weeks millions of gifts will be exchanged around the world. Before that, in less than two weeks, much money will be spent on ephemeral trappings associated with Halloween. More money will be literally sent up in smoke as fireworks a few days later. And, all over the world, regardless of creed, chosen deity, or secular event, people will spend time and money celebrating various festivals, giving gifts, decorating floats, visiting far off shrines and so much more.
Celebration of these, usually, annual events often results in the giving of items people neither need nor want, but nevertheless expect to receive. Doesn’t that strike you as odd? Or has the machinery and persuasive power of capitalistic PR completely convinced you of the need to be part of these activities of excess?

I hear the howls of denial and justification, the taunts of ‘spoilsport’ and worse. But I ask the question for good reasons. Many readers will need no explanation about questioning traditions, customs and rites that have been celebrated for millennia in some cases. But many more will be outraged, disgusted, irritated, or simply confused by my awkward questions. So, the following explanation is for them. Those who’ve reached the same conclusions as me need read no further: you know what you should do.

Gifts are given for a variety of reasons, some of which are laudable. These include love of the recipient, acts of generosity in providing stuff for those without, simple acts of kindness. But, let’s be honest here, many gifts are given out of an underlying feeling of duty, a wish not to seem mean, a desire to be thought generous, the need to keep up with the Jones’s, because it’s the done thing, a need to fit in, or any number of other reasons. What is rarely considered is the effect these millions of parcels speeding around the globe has on the environment and the atmosphere. How much fuel is burnt, how many finite resources are consumed, how much waste is created as packaging and in unwanted gifts thoughtlessly tossed away?

We’ve reached a watershed moment in the history of our species. Quite simply, right now we need to stop consuming anything we do not need to live. That sounds stark. But we face a stark choice. Either we alter the way we think and act immediately, or we subject our children and their children to a world of diminishing returns, diminishing resources, increasing extreme weather events, starvation, and war. Is that future worth the warm feeling you get by sending your love in the form of a material gift, when well chosen words may please just as much, or perhaps even more?

11 thoughts on “An Excess Of…Gifts.”

  3. We don’t give gifts and haven’t for a long time. As Darlene pointed out, gifts when I was small were always things I needed with a few small fun things included. I agree that it has now gotten totally out of hand. I have heard people say that we “need” winter celebrations to help the stores survive, and I heard that argument this time last year as a reason for not shutting down as the covid numbers skyrocketed. Many people’s thinking around this is totally lopsided and our environment can’t sustain the habit, but I don’t hold out much hope. If people are willing to put themselves and their loved ones in danger in order to go out and buy presents, then I don’t think much will change their minds.

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    1. I had a similar experience as a child, Lynette. I agree it will be difficult to change the habits and traditions of so many people, but we must try, or the world will be in dire straits. The whole basis of capitalism is one of continual growth. And any scientist or mathematician will tell you constant growth in impossible in a finite area. It’ll take a time for this message to get through, though.

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  4. You are preaching to the choir! I am making most of the gifts this year that I will give. Our little family will, hopefully, be in town at Christmas, and just being together means everything. Gifts are not necessary, to be in the spirit of giving. We used to make pizza for our kids and their friends who didn’t have family in town. We have made up to 15 pizzas to fill their bellies, and have had 10 or 15 or more kids in our house. We asked them to bring their favorite topping and got several cans of black olives, which no one wanted on their pizza. From then on we said don’t bring anything, it is our treat. They all were young and broke, going to school or just starting working. It was wonderful and exhausting. All-day they played games and we all laughed and looked forward to another day the following year.
    We bought stuff when the kids were little, but usually only one large gift and several small ones. Many gifts were homemade. I think going broke or running up a big credit card bill for anything that is not necessary is not good planning. Our kids survived without having the latest thing every year. For several years we made Christmas trees out of cardboard covered with aluminum foil and homemade ornaments from felt and sequins. This year is out 60th wedding anniversary and the sneaky kids have planned something, but won’t spill the beans. I know it isn’t a cruise, because we don’t have passports. It will be interesting.

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    1. That sounds wonderful, Brenda. Real generosity.
      It always makes me smile when kids spend more time playing with the cardboard box that contained a present than they do with the gift itself. So easily satisfied; shame many parents don’t take note of such simple ideas.
      I was the third of four children to parents who didn’t have a lot. One Xmas, when I was five years old, Mum and Dad had offered a place to an orphan girl, expecting to have someone around our age. The girl who came was 12 or thirteen and very difficult. Unfortunately, that Xmas Eve I was rushed off to hospital, with a high fever, in an ambulance. I remember hearing the bell. It turned out I had Scarlet Fever, at that time a notifiable disease. I spent 6 weeks in hospital, and the Xmas guest had to remain with us all that time, until the house was fumigated and I was allowed back home, where I spent another 6 weeks recuperating. Mum and Dad were not best pleased with that outcome!

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  6. When I was growing up the gifts we got were always something we needed, like a new winter coat, a pair of jeans or new shoes. Or something hand made. I love giving gifts but I do believe it has gotten out of hand. Now everyone on the list, which has been shortened considerably, gets a book. ( and not always one of mine)

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    1. So glad to know I’m not alone on this. My husband’s family was big on parties with lots of food. Not so many gifts.
      My parents used to go in debt to give us 5 kids a nice Christmas but I was very aware of the problems it caused my parents the rest of the year.
      For this reason, I often have years when I don’t buy a single gift. When I do buy gifts, I try to make sure it’s something needed.
      I do love those after Christmas White Elephant parties. It’s amazing how some people’s junk really is someone else’s treasure.
      Wishing everyone love, peace & joy in the coming months.
      Sherrie

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    2. Me, too, Darlene, at least when I was a small child. Things got a little better materially when I was in my teens. But there was never any excessive giving.
      I like the idea of books: a way to spread knowledge, ideas, and entertainment.

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