What if you…..
committed to eating no factory farmed meat? Could you do it? What if you could change your eating habits just one day a week?
refused to buy any wrapping paper this year? Would anybody really mind if their gift came in a cloth bag?
ate one vegetarian meal a week? Rice and beans and macaroni and cheese are vegetarian.
took one day and claimed it as car free? Could you not drive at all for one day? How about two?
turned off the television for one day? What would you do with your time?
gave a used gift to a relative? Would you be embarrassed or proud?
spent not one damn dime for a full day? How about two days? Could you? Would you?
instituted a family night for playing games or reading aloud? No media allowed including telephone.
turned off the power for three hours. Could you manage? How well?
I am just thinking here. These are all thing I suspect will be necessities in the future and I wonder about practising now. I think that adrenalin gets you through a crisis but after a few days boredom and frustration set in. That was what I saw during our ice storm last year. At first, there was a big rush to get squared away and then people got angry and started to complain and point fingers. If many of the behaviors a crisis makes necessary are ordinary, that would be less of a problem.
I think that a lot of unemployed people are going to have to have leaner holidays this year. I am willing to bet that depression will be a major problem for people living with a new reality. If that’s you, prepare now by turning off the television (the better to avoid commercials) and getting your family on board with creating new rituals. Plan a carol sing, a sledding party and family jigsaw puzzle night. Get the kids in on the deal and make them part of the process. They will be less likely to mind if they know what to expect.
This new reality will not be easy but it may turn out to be a gift. I, for one, appreciate a simple holiday. It’s less work and more fun. I won’t let any economic Grinch steal my joy.
November 16, 2009 at 8:30 am
I got a great idea from a wise mom on my ethiopian adoption yahoo group. This year, instead of the voluminous lists for Santa that my kids often start composing in mid-July, we are only asking for (and accepting!) “giving lists.” We want each of the 4 kids to focus only on what they will be giving this year to family and friends – mostly handmade, some “coupons” for services performed, special stories or poems, the odd purchased gift. Plus, we are having the kids themselves do “Secret Santa” with each other, so they can use their allowance to buy one special gift, rather than a bunch of cheap junk from Target.
Since the presents from Paul and myself will be leaner than in years past, we do not want the sense of disappointment that can come from the kids getting less than they are expecting. We hope that by turning the focus onto the giving part of the holidays, and by refusing to get all involved in “well, you can get me the Wii station, and then Nana and Papa can buy us the game and the controller . . . ” etc, then maybe (just maybe!) some of the more meaningful aspects of the holiday season will come through this year. Wish us luck . . . we have a couple of teens and tweens!’
Kate
November 16, 2009 at 8:52 am
My husband was sick with the flu all weekend and we had to cancel plans for Friday night, Saturday morning,Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. I told him that this was one of the best weekends (except for his illness) that I have had in months. I was able to read, take a walk, do some mending, write out half of our Christmas cards, cook healthy meals..just do what I wanted without looking at the clock. We actually sat in the same room together and talked about everything from health care to buying our Thanksgiving turkey. In a way this weekend was a gift for us..I am looking forward to more like it this winter – without the flu part.
November 16, 2009 at 9:18 am
This is a good (no GREAT) idea! I often promote practicing an emergency, but practicing dealing with boredom is another idea worth exploring.
We participated in national “lights out” and had a wonderful time, maybe we can do that once a month.
November 16, 2009 at 11:38 am
My connection to christmas has always been a tenuous one (not being religious) I would vote for there just not being one in our house. Not sure that it is possible, I wish it were.
We have also cut birthdays down to a homemade cake at home (no presents). The kids understand (the 3yo doesnt know the difference).
I am sure there are millions of others out there, similarly long term unemployed, who will, I hope, choose to not take on MORE debt at a time when it is deeply misguided.
Buying LOADS of presents was never our style so its not hard to let it go. Its a bit harder to cope with dealing with a holiday that the dominant culture makes very high stakes.
November 16, 2009 at 11:48 am
What great ideas you constantly come up with! This article is such a parallel subject with the piece that I ran today, that it’s scary.
Cutting waaaaaay back on Christmas shopping will not only become mandatory, but will also represent a long awaited return to sanity.
Buying rolls and rolls of paper, ribbons, bows, boxes … and then throwing them all away is just plain irresponsible, not to mention costly.
I can’t help but throw in my mantra…live simple, live free, and live well.
Best to you Kathy, Mike
November 16, 2009 at 12:04 pm
For any of you who have missed Mike’s King Of Simple site, go visit. It’s a gem. I catch up about once a week and then spend on hour. It’s a breat of fresh air.
November 16, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Yes, yes, YES!!! A simple Christmas… and may it be an inspiration for us all toward a more simple life!
November 16, 2009 at 1:18 pm
waaaaaaah! Wrapping presents is a favorite in my house! How about I give up fruit cake and keep the wrapping paper????
November 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm
What if you…..
committed to eating no factory farmed meat? Could you do it? What if you could change your eating habits just one day a week?–Two years ago I committed to buying only antibiotic/hormone free milk; last year I comitted to cage free eggs; next year will be the year for free range chicken.
refused to buy any wrapping paper this year? Would anybody really mind if their gift came in a cloth bag?–I can see what we can come up with.
ate one vegetarian meal a week? Rice and beans and macaroni and cheese are vegetarian.–We’ve done this for years.
took one day and claimed it as car free? Could you not drive at all for one day? How about two?–I can do the one day car free & sometimes 2 but I work 32 hours a week & have to drive.
turned off the television for one day? What would you do with your time?–>We are 5 years TV free–no cable, no dish, no reception where we live.
gave a used gift to a relative? Would you be embarrassed or proud?–Not going to happen.
spent not one damn dime for a full day? How about two days? Could you? Would you?–Many days of No Spending, not a problem
instituted a family night for playing games or reading aloud? No media allowed including telephone.–Yea for the no telephone!!
turned off the power for three hours. Could you manage? How well?–Interesting idea, 3 hours a week shouldn’t be a problem; will give it a try!!
Love your train of thought!!
November 16, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Could you reuse the paper?
November 16, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I could commit to reusing paper LOL. Normally we reuse it in one form or another…usually for coloring or painting or other fun after-Christmas art projects.
But I’ll still give up the fruitcake
November 16, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Re: the paper
I get the end-of-rolls from our local newspaper. Great craft paper for kids and we wrap with it and use stamps or crayons to spiff it up a bit.
November 16, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Since I was the one who did all the wrapping in our family (and oh how I hate it) I decided to make cloth bags for everyone for their gift.
They had to give them back if they wanted a gift the next year. That was 22 years ago. And I don’t miss it a bit. You just stuff the present in the sack tie the top tight with an elastic band and then put on a bow or ribbon over it. We even laid out bags for Santa to use and the Kid didn’t know any different. It actually takes longer to get that elastic undone than it rip open the paper. And I can truly say I have saved a few trees and saved tons of money.
November 16, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Wrapping paper: I can’t remember when I’ve bought it last.
If you have kids, get them to cut out old magazine pages and tape together until you get a piece large enough for the gift. (They can even find pages in the magazines with pictures that the gift receiver will like!) Similarly, you could use kids’ artwork or all those workbook pages you don’t know what to do with. Or use your paper Whole Foods/Local Co-op shopping bags tied with string.
We celebrate St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6, when the kids get most of their gifts, a toy and a few treats. There is no expectation of the gifts being wrapped!!! I think the stores have hijacked how our holidays should be celebrated, let’s ignore them and do it our own way.
For Christmas, they get something that will be needed for the upcoming year (somewhat of a larger purchase) that I know I won’t be able to get second-hand. In other words, I don’t buy anything extra, but giving it for Christmas serves a double purpose.
November 17, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’m pleased that I do pretty well on your list. I’m planning to introduce a “no TV” (or computer/internet – the bigger deal in my household, as my husband is addicted) day and evening soon. We’re going to start with reading A Christmas Carol aloud and singing Christmas carols over the next few weeks. We haven’t turned off our power yet, but everything else on your list I’m doing, if imperfectly.
Kathy, I have a question for you. A week or two ago you mentioned that you had found a new source for buckets and/or lids. Did you order some, and was it a good experience? I’ve been putting off this type of investment, but would like to increase my grain inventory and need to get some good buckets.
Thanks!
November 17, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Q – committed to eating no factory farmed meat? Could you do it? What if you could change your eating habits just one day a week?
A – We found local, grass fed beef at the Farmer’s Market this summer and buy our beef only from him. The eggs are also coming from the Farmer’s Market. The beef seller plans to come into town Saturday mornings all winter long.
Q – refused to buy any wrapping paper this year? Would anybody really mind if their gift came in a cloth bag?
A – I don’t do cloth bags, but I do use old paper bags, newspaper (especially the comics), old packing materials and all other kinds of things to wrap paper in.
Q – ate one vegetarian meal a week? Rice and beans and macaroni and cheese are vegetarian.
A – we have done this for years since realizing that we did not want to eat only vegetarian. Half time vegetarian works just great for us. The twice-baked potatoes from “Once A Month Cooking” is another great vegetarian recipe.
Q – took one day and claimed it as car free? Could you not drive at all for one day? How about two?
A – probably not; something to think about and / or work on. We do have about 2 days a month though that we go nowhere for the entire day, so I guess we are already working that way. We also double up on a lot of trips – we seldom go out for just one thing. Even on the way home from work, I stop and do errands along the way.
Q – turned off the television for one day? What would you do with your time?
A – read, call up friends & family, play with the dogs, walk, garden, on and on. We love spending summer nights after supper sitting on the deck and visiting, waving at the neighbors, and throwing the ball for the dogs.
Q – gave a used gift to a relative? Would you be embarrassed or proud?
A – no; have had too many problems with gifts in the past. I found it easier to just not give gifts than to meet unrealistic expectations (remember – I was already in trouble, so further trouble was not an issue for me).
Q – spent not one damn dime for a full day? How about two days? Could you? Would you?
A – do this all the time. I brownbag my lunch and snacks; get gas about once every three weeks; groceries the beginning of the month. Not a problem for me.
Q – instituted a family night for playing games or reading aloud? No media allowed including telephone.
A – yes, see answer above about no TV. The dog entertainment center is a great way to spend time together. You never know who is going to get to the ball first or get stepped on in the chase!!
Q – turned off the power for three hours. Could you manage? How well?
A – totally turn off power? no – don’t want food waste. Go for three hours without lights, heating / air conditioning, gadgets, etc. – yes, especially in spring and fall during the day.