Don't Let Materialism Corrupt Your Holidays

Photo credit flickr.com user megreen

There is no denying that materialism has consumed the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a night that is dedicated to family and friends and being thankful for what we have.  After sharing this symbolic meal, we shuffle out to get started on our shopping. You might be shopping for Christmas gifts, but let’s face it, even doing that we often get ourselves a few gifts as well. But when we live in such a consumer structured society, how can we as individuals break free from that?

For starters, we could actually take the time to be thankful for anything and everything we have. Sure, everyone shares what they’re thankful for around the dinner table but when’s the last time you actually stopped to think about all your blessings? Don’t think of all the problems you have, or everything you still want, just think about what you already have. Not only can this instantly improve your mood, but it brings you back down to earth. By making the time to actually be grateful for what we have, we can focus on getting Christmas gifts for our loved ones that actually matter. Not so we can just cross them off our list.

Take money out of gift-giving. Tell your friends, and your family ahead of time that you do not want to exchange gifts that cost money. Write notes, make cards, burn CDs or have fun with arts and crafts like you did when you were a kid (or if you’re like me, you still might). Maybe it’s childish but presents like these will probably outlast anything you can buy for someone and it will be worth more even if you didn’t pay a cent for it.

Adopt an endangered tiger, or sponsor a child in someone else’s name. This is especially useful for those that already have everything they could possibly want or need. You can still present your friend with a gift, and at the same time you’re helping a good cause. Whatever happened to “it’s the thought that counts’? Well, here’s a chance to exercise that adage.

The internet is overflowing with websites that are waiting to give you an opprotunity to help someone who might not have as much as you do. Break the pattern of consumerism this holiday season and really give some thought to what gifts you’re going to give this year and what gifts you’re going to ask for. Imagine sending out a wish list of gifts that will benefit someone else. How would that change the society we live in? 

Here are some sites that make gift giving easy and self-less:

1. Samaritan’s Purse- Gift someone with exactly what they need.

2. World Wildlife Fund- Help our environment by helping the wildlife. You must know at least one animal lover!

3. World Vision- Enrich the future one child at a time.

There are so many more websites for organizations with causes much more specific. Just type your interest into the search bar and I’m sure you will have more than one option to choose from. Make this holiday season different, for you and for others.