Materialism rant.

[Bertha Venation]

I don't know why, but lately I have been repulsed by the thought of buying things for myself and somewhat at buying things for other people.

I'm not buying any Christmas gifts for anyone except the great-niece and great-nephew (1 yr and 3 yrs respectively). It's partly because we can't afford to, but partly (at least in my case) because I can't stand the thought of wasting money on things.

I get emails with "gift ideas" and they make me sick. No one needs this stuff. Even emails from Land's End, where I buy some clothes -- I hate those. I say, "I have enough clothes" even though Mrs. V. tells me I need new clothes. I think don't need anything. I have clothes.

I used to covet things, and now that seems so wrong. The only thing I can see myself buying for myself in the near future is books, and even then I find myself going to our bookshelves for re-reads.

It's not just the economy or that we're broke. It's that I just feel that (for me) buying things is wrong. It's a waste. My money, what little is available, should feed someone, or clothe someone, or pay someone's vet bill.

This is not meant to solicit "good for you" posts, so please don't post that. I'm not something special; I'm not alone in this. I'm just ranting. Thanks for listening.

/rant

[LeftinOH]

1. I've been in the habit lately of 'gifting' things that I already own- such as

books, photographs w/a nice frame, vintage t-shirts that I haven't worn in years (nieces & nephews seem to love those) etc.. anything I feel that someone else may appreciate more than I do. No complaints so far.

[Steerpike]

2. Me too!

I became repulsed by the thought of buying things for myself when I realized I could not afford to buy the things I really wanted. It sickens me onto death...

[Richardo]

3. I don't buy material gifts for anyone in my family over 18 years old...

Thankfully, in my family we're all fortunate enough to have all the 'things' we need and many of the 'things' we want.

And I'm with you, I've let it be known I don't wany any more gifts from anyone. There is enough crap in the house as it is.

[Bunny]

4. You could have told me this BEFORE I hired the trucking company

to deliver that load of presents I got for you. :grr:



:D :hi: Richardo! :fistbump: :loveya:

[Richardo]

7. Ha!

Sorry about that, Bunny :blush:

How ever did you get an Italian Villa on a truck? :D

:pals: :loveya: :fistbump: :hi:

[Steerpike]

6. sigh

OK I admit I was being sarcastic. I love "Material Things". And, most of the stuff I covet is uber expensive.

A. My Wife
B. My kids
C. My house
D. My Car
E. Musical Instruments (anyone want to gift me a 12 string guitar or a mandolin?)
F. Art Supply

I was just joking about my sweet wife...

Boy I would love to own a Gibson J-200 or a Gibson Mandolin. A Martin 12 string would be lovely...

I think Musicians and Artists pay out the ass for "material things" otherwise were just blowing air.
It makes me so bitter I feel like a bug.

[Bertha Venation]

11. Okay, when you mentioned the instruments . . .

. . . I was reminded of something I do covet, but can and will never own.

The Jim Croce model Martin.

Sigh.

[Steerpike]

12. it's a natural sound

so sweet and clear...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. Me and the BF already agreed material gifts are mostly a waste

I'm no fashion maven. I buy what I wear when I need it. If I need an appliance I buy it when I need rather than wait for some arbitrary date.

Ditto the BF and his tools and cookware.

We've decided a romantic weekend skiing is how we will spend our holiday. Special time together is more important to us and if I understand this holiday thing it's supposed to be about the people that mean the most to you.

[EndersDame]

8. I am making donations to simpatico non profit orgs in people's name

I am going to make a donation to a no kill animal shelter for little sis

I am going to make a donation to an environmental org for my boyfriend's mom

I am trying to find a drama/arts oriented org for my brothers gift and so on

They will probably be around $5 I am poor :(

Oddly enough I am asking for instead of christmas presents for me is $$ to get my pup spayed and stuff i need for school

[Richardo]

9. I've bought Christmas presents for disadvantaged families before...

...I find that very gratifying, and it does a lot to restore one's 'Christmas spirit'.

[EndersDame]

10. Oh hell yeah you rock!

[LynzM]

13. Indeed.

I've done a lot of making/giving usable and eatible gifts, recently. Cookies, chapstick, body lotion, bubble bath, candles... feels good to give things that are more about the time invested than the money, and that people can use and appreciate in that way (or eat!)

:hi:

[hippywife]

24. Hey, you!

[LynzM]

25. Hi lady!

:hi: :loveya: :hug:

How's life?

p.s. - are you on FB?

[hippywife]

26. Life's okay at the moment...

and I'm okay with that. ;) How's by you?

No FB or MySpace or Twitter for this gal. You aren't the first to ask. I just don't want to go there. LOL

:loveya:

[LynzM]

34. That's good to hear :)

Glad you're doing ok! I am likewise ok, some days good, some days entirely too busy. Work's been very stressful lately, but at least I have a job, right? I'm balancing it with lots of music playing and hanging out with good friends. :D

LOL about FB... I can understand that... just feel like it's an easy way to get to know people better!

:loveya:

[Skittles]

14. you want I should kick your ass, Kim?

for just now figuring this out? For Christmas I buy things poor kids need - and that's all

[Drunken Irishman]

18. Will you buy me a new camera?

Mine broke. I need one. Thanks.

[Drunken Irishman]

15. I need a new XBOX 360.

I got the dreaded ring of death a few months ago and haven't been able to play it. I want that sucker for Left For Dead 2.

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

31. Is this your first RROD?

Why don't you send your system to get fixed? All the info is on their website.

[Roland99]

16. I've been that way for a few years

I only get new clothes when I have to (after holes or something appear in shirts or pants).

Haven't bought a DVD all year (although I did splurge for myself and ordered a new plasma TV for Christmas as I had to sell my old set earlier this year...first gadget purchase for me in 2 1/2 years)

[Ikonoklast]

17. I find as I get older, 'things' have lost most of their appeal to me.

It's just 'stuff'.

And when all is said and done, 'things' don't love you, hold your hand when you're lonely, make you soup when you're sick, miss you when you're away, laugh at your lame jokes, or care if you live or die.


People are important. The rest...not so much.

[Drunken Irishman]

19. Yeah... people are important. That's why I'm buying everyone a Russian bride for XMAS.

[pokercat999]

21. And I so wanted that Filipino bride I saw advertised at

was it Wal-mart or maybe Target?

[Eurobabe]

20. I purged and donated things

for the first time in my almost 50 yr. old life this past fall. It felt great!

So my response to my family when they ask what do YOU want for Xmas is: NOTHING! I didn't spend 6 week thoughtfully clearing stuff out to re-accumulate "unnecessary things."

Having lived abroad for a few years, I see so much waste here, it is sickening.

[Odin2005]

22. Why do you hate America?

:sarcasm:

[hippywife]

23. That's where we've been for a long time.

We like to live simply and try to do that as much as possible. There's nothing we need so we seek out people who do need and do what we can for them.

It makes life so much less stressful and gives it more meaning.

:hug: to you.

[Brickbat]

27. Once I started reading the "made-in" label of everything I own, and really taking a minute to think

about the person who may have made that shirt in China or Bangladesh or wherever, and what I would be supporting if I bought it...well, let's just say I started buying a lot less stuff.

[triguy46]

28. 72 ways to simplify your life. The simple living manifesto..

This is a very good way of thinking, now just tone down the angst, anger, frustration, take a deep breath, think blue. Simple is better.

http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/

[Flaxbee]

29. I understand completely.

I was in Big Lots earlier getting a few things and heard this commercial come on over the radio about how 'your kids are probably already giving you their Christmas lists! Big Lots will make it easier!' and I thought, Blech! Why does anyone buy stuff for the holidays?

And I mean this even for kids. A few nice gifts - A FEW - and no cheap shit from China, thank you very much. How about holiday traditions instead, cooking together or quilting or building a ham radio or something the kid will enjoy and attach memories to?

I love books, too, but we have so many I just really want to reduce, reduce, reduce. I used to think I'd love to have bookshelves groaning with books, but now? I don't want to have to dust them all. Or move them all. Give me a few books I really cherish, and then I'll support the local library. These days, I quite frequently buy books from Goodwill, or our local flea market.

I want a pair of black corduroys, and a few pairs of comfy, warm shoes (I've worn my other ones out).

But I'm really, really rejecting things, and have been for the last year or two or three, even. I feel better for it. I don't want stuff.

I was just thinking - speaking of vet bills in your OP, Bertha - I'd be THRILLED if my sisters gave me 3 months' worth of Advantage or Frontline rather than a gift certificate to Amazon. THRILLED.

Money should go for food, shelter, and kindness. And a new pair of shoes every once in a while :)

:hug: to you and Mrs. V.

But Bertha - don't neglect yourself. Don't. The pendulum swings, and you'll get to a point again where it feels good to buy yourself a new sweater (or whatever it might be that makes your heart sing) every once in a while.

[KT2000]

30. there are different ways

of apporaching this. One year I got people only things I found at the thrift stores. That was actually fun and since there was humor with every one - I think people had fun with them. Each was a couple/few dollars. They were all useful too.
Last year I gave nothing and felt kind out of the fun of the season.
This year I found some medical grade hand sanitizer wipes that are handy for the glove compartment and purse - and this year everyone is paranoid about catching something.

I know where you are coming from and I agree that it is sickening. It is good to have fun though.

[grasswire]

32. I find the anxiety of the retailers repulsive this year

They are pushing a lot of CRAP real hard, real early. I looked at the Christmas aisle in a local store and thought to myself that the Chinese workers must think Americans are absolutely stupid and crazy. Everything was gaudy, and cheap, and of questionable use. The Xmas ornaments were particularly ugly and shoddy.

What does a Chinese worker think, when making a piece of trash for our consumption? "Sucker!" Is that it?

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Sheltiemama]

35. I'm not in a buying mood lately, either.

Just things I have to have. I had to buy a gold crown, a new hard drive and a new ceiling fan, but those were either medically necessary or replacements of things that died.

[Lorien]

36. No, your not alone at all. I can't stomach stores or catalogs any more

and the freelance work I do that pays better than anything else is product design-especially for toy and collectibles. So I depend on others wanting to buy useless crap to stay afloat. I don't like it. I'd like to find more "honorable" work. I think we've all been so bombarded with commercialism-heck, Thanksgiving is barely even given a nod, it just goes straight into Christmas from Halloween- that we've reached our limit. We can't take it anymore. I'd like to believe that there will be some sort of Great Awakening that will lead to a far less selfish, materialistic culture for all of us. I know it's a lot to hope for, but something good has to come out of such bad times.