Sting's voice came on during a radio commercial today personally inviting me to visit the site http://www.redefinechristmas.org/. I loved the idea--to ask loved ones to donate to a charity of your choice instead of shopping for a present for you-- and thought I'd share it with you. If you, like me, dread having to shop during the holidays, but mostly dread all the contrived hype that surrounds them, you'll probably be redefining christmas this year.
This solves one problem for me (having to hint at what I do or don't want or having to act happy when I don't like a present) but opens another can of worms. Three weeks from the Iowa primary, the "charity" I would most like to "sacrifice" presents for is actually a presidential campaign. Can I, in good faith, ask friends, loved ones and relatives to donate to the campaign of a candidate that they may or may not themselves be supporting? ... I'll have to try it and let you know what happens. My gut instinct is that if the holiday's spirit is one of generosity and hence self-effacement, then the least those closest to you can do is honor your deepest wishes, especially when they are free to choose the price tag.
This solves one problem for me (having to hint at what I do or don't want or having to act happy when I don't like a present) but opens another can of worms. Three weeks from the Iowa primary, the "charity" I would most like to "sacrifice" presents for is actually a presidential campaign. Can I, in good faith, ask friends, loved ones and relatives to donate to the campaign of a candidate that they may or may not themselves be supporting? ... I'll have to try it and let you know what happens. My gut instinct is that if the holiday's spirit is one of generosity and hence self-effacement, then the least those closest to you can do is honor your deepest wishes, especially when they are free to choose the price tag.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Technorati: redefinechristmas
2 comments:
Great idea. Every time someone buys a gift they are supporting someone's political agenda--(No kidding!Check out the The Blue Pages: A Directory of Companies Rated by Their Politics and Practices by PoliPointPress, Carol Pott,Editor). At least if they're giving to your choice candidate, they'll know whose agenda they're backing.
Thanks for that insight, Peace culture!
Post a Comment