cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/72158896
This Christmas, instead of buying each other more stuff, why don’t we agree to put that money toward people who actually need it? Donate to a food bank, a shelter, a local charity, or help someone in your community who’s having a rough time.
We keep the dinner, the time together, all the good parts. Just skip the obligation to buy something because someone is buying something for you. And if you’re struggling yourself, there’s no obligation to give money either. A tradition that benefits the poor instead of making the rich richer.
Anyone else up for this? How would you bring it up with your family? I tried and got a lot resistance. Seems like a no brainier to me.
Edit: we are all adults
In our household we try to spend time together, have some good food, take photos to remember. We’ve talked to various family about not sending gifts to different degrees of success. One person really “gets it.” One launched a big guilt trip. And various others ate in between. I’m fine with rocking the boat. The vast majority of stuff that gets sent out way isn’t anything I want or need. I have other things to do in life than shepherd random items that I never asked for.