Interesting take on the Season of Shopping

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Less than three years after spearheading an anti-Christmas consumerism initiative in Winnipeg, Aiden Enns says the idea of buying nothing for the holiday season continues to grow.

"I think there's a segment of the population which is frustrated with the amount of shopping in general and feel overwhelmed at Christmas," he says. "They're taking back the ability to make meaning with traditions."

This year, Enns' group Buy Nothing Christmas, is tackling the issue of overspending and Christmas mayhem long before plastic Santas and red and green tinsel invade stores across the city. By offering craft workshops in October that teach people how they can make gifts for their loved ones, Enns says people can create something unique that expresses their appreciation for someone else.

"People should come down to regain a sense of wonder of the season, and that happens through creativity and thoughtfulness," he says.

Enns says the idea started four years ago, while he was working at Adbusters in Vancouver. When Buy Nothing Day kicked-off at the onset of American Thanksgiving, Enns thought it might be a good idea to extend the concept to the entire Christmas season.

After years of worrying about what to get his parents and siblings and if he had enough money to pay for it, Enns says he felt Christmas was more about consumerism and less about the spirit of the season.

"I'd worry," he says. "I would run out and shop and it was stressful, very stressful."

Since then, the Winnipeg group has been involved in everything from singing alternative Christmas carols around local shopping centres to putting on its first play, A Christmas Karl, last year. Enns says the group ran the first Craft Share Fair on Oct. 15 at the Winnipeg Winter Club, and expects more people to register for the next event at the end of the month. Workshops are lead by local artisans, who teach everything from making wreaths to making homemade drums.

Lynda Trono, one of the original organization members in Winnipeg, says she has a problem with how much the average person spends, and that she prefers to make her friends and family bread as a gift. She says crafts and homemade items are a great way to simplify gift giving, and says the workshops show that it's possible to make significant gifts without spending a lot of money.

"For years I have tried not to make Christmas a consumer festival," she says.

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/media/WFP_craftshare.html

[Peikko 1,575]

Gotta admire people who swim against the tide

[pedroh 21]

that's pretty cool i think

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gotta admire people who swim against the tide

There's something priceless about a gift that was handmade by the person who gave it.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm for it. Getting something store bought that I don't want/like is a complete waste of money.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I think it's a *great* idea, too, but it comes down to time or money. If you don't have money but *do* have a lot of time, it would work for you...if you don't have the time to sit and make all that stuff, then it's really no good either. Nice idea though! M.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Gotta admire people who swim against the tide

I don't admire them, I swim with them. I almost religously avoid stores (other than the grocery store - gotta eat, you know) from Thanksgiving until about a week or two into the new year. You won't find me anywhere near a mall. I'm only seen inside a mall a couple times a year as it is but those couple of times are most certainly not in the holiday shopping season. It's madness out there and I ain't going to be part of that.

[Fandango 1,439]

Is there no such thing as a middle ground? Jeez!

Yeah, like I have time to handmake gifts, lol.....Where's my chisel?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Is there no such thing as a middle ground? Jeez!

Yeah, like I have time to handmake gifts, lol.....Where's my chisel?

Of course there is. But which method of gift giving is droned into us every Christmas Season? The one that says, "Buy, buy, buy..." It's refreshing to know that it's not just old fashioned grandmothers that make gifts for their loved ones these days.

[Fandango 1,439]

Is there no such thing as a middle ground? Jeez!

Yeah, like I have time to handmake gifts, lol.....Where's my chisel?

Of course there is. But which method of gift giving is droned into us every Christmas Season? The one that says, "Buy, buy, buy..." It's refreshing to know that it's not just old fashioned grandmothers that make gifts for their loved ones these days.

Who's droning and why do you care? It's like this: sure companies will make it about the consumerism of it all...you can make Christmas about whatever you want...you and your loved ones know what you are all about. It's not evil to buy gifts for ppl you love & I think this group is full of chit. The implications are that if you buy anything, you're buying into the whole 'consumerism' evil empire is ridiculous.

Why are they politicizing their beliefs? Bottom line they are attn whores because they coulda done what they wanted to do without alerting the press or forming organizations to 'spread the word' People will celebrate how they want, and if Suzy Q down the street wants to hock herself up to her eyeballs, then that's her choice. That Linda Trono...who the fluck is she to have a problem with what other ppl spend?

Self-righteous azzholes.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Is there no such thing as a middle ground? Jeez!

Yeah, like I have time to handmake gifts, lol.....Where's my chisel?

Of course there is. But which method of gift giving is droned into us every Christmas Season? The one that says, "Buy, buy, buy..." It's refreshing to know that it's not just old fashioned grandmothers that make gifts for their loved ones these days.

Who's droning and why do you care? It's like this: sure companies will make it about the consumerism of it all...you can make Christmas about whatever you want...you and your loved ones know what you are all about. It's not evil to buy gifts for ppl you love & I think this group is full of chit. The implications are that if you buy anything, you're buying into the whole 'consumerism' evil empire is ridiculous.

Why are they politicizing their beliefs? Bottom line they are attn whores because they coulda done what they wanted to do without alerting the press or forming organizations to 'spread the word' People will celebrate how they want, and if Suzy Q down the street wants to hock herself up to her eyeballs, then that's her choice. That Linda Trono...who the fluck is she to have a problem with what other ppl spend?

Self-righteous azzholes.

whatever...sheesh.

[Fandango 1,439]

Is there no such thing as a middle ground? Jeez!

Yeah, like I have time to handmake gifts, lol.....Where's my chisel?

Of course there is. But which method of gift giving is droned into us every Christmas Season? The one that says, "Buy, buy, buy..." It's refreshing to know that it's not just old fashioned grandmothers that make gifts for their loved ones these days.

Who's droning and why do you care? It's like this: sure companies will make it about the consumerism of it all...you can make Christmas about whatever you want...you and your loved ones know what you are all about. It's not evil to buy gifts for ppl you love & I think this group is full of chit. The implications are that if you buy anything, you're buying into the whole 'consumerism' evil empire is ridiculous.

Why are they politicizing their beliefs? Bottom line they are attn whores because they coulda done what they wanted to do without alerting the press or forming organizations to 'spread the word' People will celebrate how they want, and if Suzy Q down the street wants to hock herself up to her eyeballs, then that's her choice. That Linda Trono...who the fluck is she to have a problem with what other ppl spend?

Self-righteous azzholes.

whatever...sheesh.

I take it you don't agree

[mawilson 2,133]

Hey Christmas is about shopping. Even the word "Christmas" has been replaced by "holidays"!

Anti-shopping is anti-American!

Those who are about to shop, we salute you!

[Mags 112]

Hey Christmas is about shopping. Even the word "Christmas" has been replaced by "holidays"!

Anti-shopping is anti-American!

Those who are about to shop, we salute you!

You've fitted right in. Gonna go shopping this Sunday?

[SoL. 0]

I think it's a personal choice and not everybody has time to do that kind of stuff (I have two jobs so I have limited time). Some people take it too seriously and get all stressed about it. I don't, I actually enjoy the fact that I am finding something special for someone special

I already made a list for all the gifts I'll be giving and started my shopping. I think it's more about giving a nice detail, not spending your whole salary (yea, some people do that too).

If they have a good idea and believe in it, that's OK, but they should not try to make others (us) look like shopping junkies because they are against Christmas shopping.

Happy Holidays!

edi