Something to ponder..

[Garp]

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Problem is, where do you start? How do you encourage people to look at things this way? A youtube video is a great start, but people will watch it and just go "Hmmm" or "Oh yeah.." then 30 minutes later it'll be out of their mind.

[Mark]

I like that, and whenever I go to the local Christmas Eve service I always put something in the 'pot', but I wonder if it might interest a bigger audience without the religious connections.

[Pebs]

I like that, and whenever I go to the local Christmas Eve service I always put something in the 'pot', but I wonder if it might interest a bigger audience without the religious connections.

I don't see why, Christmas is founded in religion after all. I don't really think that is 'too' religious at all. Food for thought indeed.

[Tak]

it might interest a bigger audience without the religious connections.

what he said ^^ Nice idea, but you don't have to believe in jesus to give to charity.

Christmas is founded in religion after all

True but some people disagree on which religion.

[NokkonWud]

The video itself is nice, but I don't really buy people tat, I buy people things I think they would appreciate or truly love, things that bring memories back or things that pave the way for new ones to start.

[Dee]

Believe it or not, I looked at my xmas spreadsheet from a couple of years back (yes I have to keep track :D), and I spent nearly £700 on presents. Which to me, is a lot. A LOT.

This year, I am going to email everyone saying I am not sending cards this year, instead I am making a donation to a charity.

[iCraig]

I try to limit what I spend, and always ponder "Do they really need that, or is it just a pointless stocking filler?" It's why I often simply get people "luxury" consumables such as chocolate, wine, beer, dependant on what they like. It's cheap, easy and at the end of the day, it'll only get bundled in with all the socks, DVDs etc etc.

For those close to me I get more thoughtful gifts more personal to them. The ones I don't mind spending time, and money finding the right gift that will make them smile.

[Feek]

but I wonder if it might interest a bigger audience without the religious connections.

Exactly. I saw it as a bashers fancy way to try and get more bashers bashing.

This year, I am going to email everyone saying I am not sending cards this year, instead I am making a donation to a charity.

This happens a lot at work, the last few years we've had a number of people sending out mails saying that, one of them was from a guy in my department and he openly admitted that it was crap and he sent the mail because he couldn't be arsed to write out any cards and that he wasn't going to make a donation to charity anyway. It was just a get-out clause for him.

Things like this don't encourage me to give at all, I give what I can afford and I see this in the same light as the bucket that some cinemas used to pass around before a film to collect for some charity or other while playing a sympathetic clip on the screen to make people feel guilty and put in a donation.

always ponder "Do they really need that, or is it just a pointless stocking filler?"

I'm exactly the same, I try and put myself in the other persons shoes and imagine that I'm them opening the present and try to gauge their reaction. If it's good, then the item gets bought and if I think 'wtf' then I don't buy it.

[Lynnie_pitch nee Leigh]

In school as part of morning reflection we are constantly asking kids to think of others and the majority do, especially at this time of year. We collect the shoe boxes for the Oxfam appeal and this year we got 202 boxes. Not many when you think that there are 100 - 200 pupils per year group, but it does mean nearly every pupil has contributed in some way. Whether they have done a box themsleves or added a teddy bear to their tutor box they have at least helped out and considering the bad reputation kids around that age have I think its awesome, especially when some of them can't even afford to.

We also make up hampers for elderly people / people alone at Christmas and they are given to people in our local community that really need something to let them know they are not alone. We get letters every year from people who get the hampers saying how much it meant to them as they have no family or friends to see at this time of year. its so sad but lovely at the same time :)

[cheets]

I am sick to death of hearing about I should give to charity, I personally don't go overboard at Christmas I dont like buying presents and don't see the point in it. I much prefer the spirit everyone is in and the parties and places you can go to, nothing better than a social gathering or a nice meal on xmas day.

I will give my sister money as I never know what to buy her and she doesn't know and she gives me money so we end up quits, strange.

[loki]

I suppose the video achieves what you want it to do in that you sit up and think about how much you spend on people and how much you waste on unnecessary and probably unwanted gifts.

For me I guess I am lucky in that our closest family is five minutes walk away from us and for most of the Xmas we will be spending it with each other, laughing, reminiscing and probably sheding the odd tear here or there. The spirit of Xmas is not entirely lost on us

[Tak]

I have always been rubbish with cards, be it birthday, anniversary or xmas - people know this (or should do) by now.
At work we have a poster for staff to write messages to colleagues on and a donation box for Macmillians cancer research instead of buying cards - its something that got suggested a few years back and we've just kinda stuck with it.

Gift wise for a few friends I deliberately buy silly things but never more that £10 each (normally its more like £5), a few others I'll give IOU's for a pint next time we're out. For Mic I give myself a max limit of £100 - some years I've come close, other years I've got bargains and haven't.

I would rather see something I think someone will like during the year and send it on to them rather than wait and buy tat just for the sake of it at xmas.

[vix]

Both Phil's and my Mum have been terrible for buying tat these past few years. We've just about trained my mum, and this year she can't get us anything anyway, and Phil's mum appears to have got the hint this year too as she is giving us money.

I only buy people what they want, unless I know that they are a bit like me and appreciate pretty jewellery, candles and stuff. We're seen as unimaginative as we will ask each family member what they want but, it's just to avoid buying rubbish for people for the sake of it.

This year there's nothing material I want from Phil so I'll probably end up getting nothing.

At work we donate our Xmas card money to the company charity, and this year are donating our secret santa pressie money to it too. I don't support the charity the company supports, so I wont be doing either :/

[Mark]

I'm useless for both really. Cards I'm afraid I tend to only send to close family and make a charity donation for the rest. Present-wise, I ask parents what they want (and they reciprocate). However, sometimes I'll see something I know they'll like and get it as an extra surprise.