Christmas 2007
Yes, I am talking about NEXT Christmas! LOL The thing is, I cannot abide the rampant commercialism that we're subjected to, seemingly from halfway through the summer! Even if I didn't have any Christian beliefs I would find it annoying. It's just not right! This year I have made some changes but I've still overspent. ;o( One of the changes I made was to go down the route of buying adoption/charitable gifts for some people. I've bought a goat, some chickens and some library cards (for Ethiopian children) via World Vision, I've adopted a donkey (Miss E wanted an animal sponsorship again since sponsoring a seal at the Sea Life Centre in Oban) and a vegetable (not any old vegetable but a traditional British variety) and planted a tree in the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland. I'm not sure of the reception some of these gifts will get but I'll know soon! :o) It certainly made me feel good to know that I hadn't spent my money on something the recipient wouldn't use/didn't need or want but I suppose their reaction is also important too!
Next year I'd also like to make more presents but that requires organisation of course! And that's why I'm starting now! :oD I don't object to spending money (although I'd like to spend alot less!) but I'd like to put more thought, time and love into my gift giving. :o) Last Christmas I had a conversation with my mum about having a vintage/frugal kind of Christmas this year and talked about the possibility of only buying gifts from charity shops. Most folk know I'm a sucker for charity shops, car boots, junk shops et al and I pick up alot of stuff for use in my artwork via these avenues but I think I will indeed try to use them even more this year BUT still trying to ensure that I stick to my rules. There's no point saving money that way if you're buying crap that is still unwanted by the recipient! LOL I think it would be a good way to pick up raw materials for gifts though, for instance, I like the whole gift in a jar thing so I could keep my eyes open for nice jars and the required items to go in them.
I've cut down my Christmas card list quite dramatically this year and am wondering about cutting it further next year and making a donation to charity instead. Not really certain about that one but wouldn't we save alot of trees if we all did that??
Other things I'd like to try are:
* using an extra freezer to make and freeze food
* making my own crackers (or some version of)
* using more natural materials for decorating
* devising more home entertainment (we're having a wee concert this year on Christmas Day!)
* saving towards the cost of Christmas during the year to ease the shock to the bank account come January!
Ok, that's enough Christmas talk for now!
Next year I'd also like to make more presents but that requires organisation of course! And that's why I'm starting now! :oD I don't object to spending money (although I'd like to spend alot less!) but I'd like to put more thought, time and love into my gift giving. :o) Last Christmas I had a conversation with my mum about having a vintage/frugal kind of Christmas this year and talked about the possibility of only buying gifts from charity shops. Most folk know I'm a sucker for charity shops, car boots, junk shops et al and I pick up alot of stuff for use in my artwork via these avenues but I think I will indeed try to use them even more this year BUT still trying to ensure that I stick to my rules. There's no point saving money that way if you're buying crap that is still unwanted by the recipient! LOL I think it would be a good way to pick up raw materials for gifts though, for instance, I like the whole gift in a jar thing so I could keep my eyes open for nice jars and the required items to go in them.
I've cut down my Christmas card list quite dramatically this year and am wondering about cutting it further next year and making a donation to charity instead. Not really certain about that one but wouldn't we save alot of trees if we all did that??
Other things I'd like to try are:
* using an extra freezer to make and freeze food
* making my own crackers (or some version of)
* using more natural materials for decorating
* devising more home entertainment (we're having a wee concert this year on Christmas Day!)
* saving towards the cost of Christmas during the year to ease the shock to the bank account come January!
Ok, that's enough Christmas talk for now!
posted by artfulzebra at 1:41 PM
2 Comments:
This is me catching up again - must have lost my blogarithm updates in my moving about lolol. Great ideas re Christmas, I have been thinking a lot about it, well pressies in general and want to make all my gifts in future..well, I make most of them now for friends, but my girls are not so keen lolol. Rik is ok, Kerri not so much so. Have some persuading to do there, but hey ho not bad going methinks. I love the idea of charity shops shopping too. Here's hoping you manage it all - and I think now is exactly the right time to be thinking about it :)
I have some folkies who wouldn't appreciate hand made or charity shop finds but it might be a case of them having to like it or lump it if I get my stubborn hat on! LOL
Maz x
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