I cannot believe how many people buy into the nauseating commercialism of this holiday. Every store you walk past, it’s buybuybuy the love of the people you care about. A diamond braclet for Mom, a 42″ LCD TV for Dad and iPods for all the little kiddies. I love the family and friends aspect of Christmas but absolutely hate the constant guilt thrown at those of us on low incomes. Worse yet, a majority of people just exchanged those fucking plastic gift cards so it’s not even personal anymore.
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
Welcome to xmas in NA. Gotta love the Yuppies and their casual attitudes towards conspicuous spending…really helps bring out that xmas cheer.Fucking Yuppies and their crippling credit debt, hope they are forced into bankruptcy this year.
Let’s bring back mumers and homemade gifts!
I enjoy buying my family and friends gifts, even if they are expensive. It makes me feel good to make them feel good, and if I can afford it, why should that bother anyone? … and assuming people who have nice things are buried under credit card debt and on the verge of bankruptcy is a little simplistic, at best.
Right on! We’re back to bashing “yuppies”. Has anybody seen my Benetton sweater? And while I have your attention, does anyone know where can I get a battery for my Swatch?
If you can afford it, fine. If you can’t, homemade gifts can work well. I’ve been making Christmas puddings for over 20 years and they always seem appreciated. And if not, they make a great doorstop.
Saying that you feel guilty indicates that you wish you could buy ‘expensive gifts’ but can’t. If you don’t like the commercialism of Christmas in NA than don’t take part in it. Some people do take joy in buying something for someone else. I realize it is not for everyone but just because you don’t think it is doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. So sit back and enjoy all the other great things that come along with the holiday season. Just don’t buy anything.
Call me a non-conformist, but in my family we got one gift for Xmas as a rule and it wasn’t anything big either. That’s when I was a kid. Then when my brothers and sisters grew up and had their own kids, it was a huge competition over who could buy the most expensive gifts. Needless to say it all got way out of control and I backed off buying for their kids. Some years later when my kids were born, they didn’t ever buy them a thing for Xmas. All the better IMHO :). We bought for our own and had more money to buy them better things. They didn’t get spoiled either. Each got one big gift (about $100. value) and a few things they really needed like clothes. Maximum Xmas for the our kids was $300. each. It’s really not about who’s a yuppie and who is not, it’s more about good old common sense. When the madness gets out of control, the wise take stock and back off. Basically speaking, I’m not a good consumer and damn proud of it!