Having moved beyond Christmas and the season of 'over consumption', February is a month of birthdays in our family. Four family members share the 1st (Dad and his two brothers who are identical triplets, and my lovely cousin). Another cousin celebrates on 3rd, my darling daughter on the 15th and my grandmother on the 24th (a special 80th this year)! I am always stumped with the same problem of what to buy the person as a gift. I refuse to believe that there are many things that we actually 'need' these days that we don't already have or that we cannot purchase, when we do. The number of times I have bought Dad something which I consider to be really unique only to be told 'I've got three of these!' Really, what is the point? How do we get out of this consumerist mess that we have got into?
On a daily basis I hear friends talking about how they are literally down to their last pennies, yet these same people wear designer clothes, eat out several times a week etc etc Why?
Somehow we need to return to the age where it was 'cool' to be be different, the time when houses contained the minimum amount of 'stuff', where people reused (to many of course this is the 'norm').
I visited a lovely couple today who are expecting their first child very soon. They are obviously thrilled about their imminent addition and it was lovely to share that joy. That was until I was asked to view the nursery and the 'things' they had purchased. The fancy pram, designer outfits, luxury furniture, the list is endless. I am not raving because I am jealous in anyway. I could have had these things too had I been that way inclined. But I decided that these things weren't necessary. Second hand was good, less was definitely more. I felt a little lump that formed in my throat as I viewed with a rather false sense of enthusiasm. I wonder how many of those lovely little outfits will ever be worn and will she realise that baby grows are by far the easiest and most comfortable item of clothing? I suspect not. How could I tell them that they could save themselves a huge sum of money, without appearing rude? Well of course I couldn't and wouldn't to someone I don't know too well...watch out sister!
I'll leave you with this thought.....as we go about our day today, how many of the things that surround us could we do without and would we feel more liberated without those items?
I speak from my rather cluttered bedroom that doubles up as a study....I think tomorrow I shall see if I can answer my own questions!
Go Kim!I totally agree, I want to have 12 months of either making the gifts I give or purchasing it from the charity shop, but feel awkward and embarrassed about the recipients possible reaction - especially as they do buy designer clothes etc (I think I can safely say I shall never be seen in a pair of Jimmy Choo's)! Don't get me wrong I was VERY materialistic in my teens but now I am a mum I appreciate the simple things, and try to encourage my daughter and hubby to do the same.
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