"The Holidays" are approaching. Christmas mania is in full swing. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, now is the time to buy.
It seems everyone wants to sell me something and hoping to save me money by doing so. My friends and family need to know I love them, and that love needs to be shiny and/or plastic, most likely "made in China" and sent to me with "free" shipping from California. Stockings are being hung by the chimney with care with hopes that an Ipod will soon be in there. Never am I so repulsed by the consumer culture than in the month of December. The constant bid and beg for my dollar, makes my fist even tighter around it. It makes me question, "What is this thing worth if they want it so badly?"
They have teams, agencies, analysts and psychologists all working together to figure out what/who the consumer is, they want to understand us, so they can take our money. They are working like little elves around the clock to create the perfect toys we won't be able to resist. They are creating a need in us, that previously did not exist. This is called manipulation. Are they doing it to make our lives better, do we really need this "new thing" to be happier? I would say maybe I do not. I feel like so many people are broke right now, myself included, that the need is strong. We want to be able to buy things for the people we love, we want them to be happy, we want to be happy even if it is only for a day. I bet my kid would love a play kitchen for $151.00 from Toy R Us and I would love to see her face when she opens it...But, why would I spend that much money just for that one moment? She has true simple joy everyday, it doesn't need to be bought. Why am I trying to buy joy? It feels like trying to buy air, when it is already all around me. So, here I am wondering if I could do better. Be more creative, thoughtful, and joyful by consuming less. What if instead of spending countless hours out shopping this month I stay home with my family and be with them?? CRAZY! I am 33 years old, I own a home, I have a really wonderful husband, a crazy happy baby, and one stinky cat. I have enough. I want less stuff and more joy, so from here forward I am anti-consumer. I will make Christmas this year, after all isn't the thought that counts. I feel a little crazy and wish I thought of this 6 months ago, with Christmas being in 4 weeks and all. Also, I am not a crafter. Carolanne Ingalls I am not. I have desperately wanted to be a crafter but historically I lack the follow-through it takes to make baby clothes, quilts, jewelry, candles, soap, scarves, etcetera. So, this is going to be personally challenging and potentially embarrassing. I am counting on the nonstop holiday stimulus to keep me angry motivated enough to succeed and books from the library and other peoples crafty blogs for the know how. It won't be easy, but it feels right.
