There’s nothing that sets my teeth on edge more than xmas shopping. I hate everything about it – the lines, the crowds, and most of all, the pressure of spending too much money on gifts i know people are going to chuck to the back of their cupboards. Of course if I was like my mother and did all my xmas shopping in October, I wouldn’t have a problem, but the fact is, it’s the 17th and I haven’t set foot in a store and I know it’s just going to get worse.
I’m all in for showering kids with fairy dresses and toy trucks, but for friends, family, and inlaws, Brian and I are taking a different tack this xmas.
We’re donating to charities: the moon bears (all those stories of draining bear bile makes me so sad), the Catholic Relief Service, offsetting our carbon, and of course Lola.
The average US family spends $1000 a year on xmas – although with economic downturn, this year it’s more like $700. I think Christmas is about giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, which then gives us a chance to be grateful for what we have.
So if anyone wants to avoid this
by giving this
go to www.friendsofbonobos.org .
Donations made here are
Mar 1st Baerbel W USD 70.00
2 Comments
Amen. My friends and I have been exchanging donations for the past couple of years and I love it. That includes Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, you name it – I don’t buy stuff – http://www.storyofstuff.com/?gclid=CPKZgO7oqJACFReQGgodzkud6g – I adopt animals or donate. (My only family member is my Dad and he plays along, too.)
s.
Me too! I haven’t wanted to step one foot in a store! My family has been fortunate not to need anything! I told my husband I want him to give a donation to one of the charities on this site!(just need to figure which one) and that’s all I want!!!!!!! I hope Wildlife Direct gets blessed with many donations from people all over the world! Thanks for all you do!!!!!!