Jane Powerson a slimmer Christmas
One of this season's profound ironies is that we commemorate the barely-provided-for birth of a child in a simple cowshed by spending as if there were no tomorrow. I know, that sounds horribly holier-than-thou; nonetheless, Christmas has been almost lost to a welter of consumerism. The pressure is immense, partly thanks to our economic model, which requires constant growth to survive - with the month of December being the big feed that keeps many businesses from starving. Moreover, the spiritual side of things hasn't been served by rebranding it the "Holidays", as some PC people do in the US.
I'm not suggesting we give up Christmas, although there are some who do, such as the Christmas Resistance Movement (www.xmasresistance.org). As it happens, I like Christmas. But it can put a near-intolerable strain on pockets, relationships, time and energy - which is a strange state of affairs during what is meant to be a season of joy and contemplation.
As for the drain on this planet's resources, it comprises a long catalogue of profligacies. Shopping expeditions, unnecessary purchases, unwanted gifts, festive illuminations, wrapping paper, packaging, decorations, Christmas trees, uneaten food and countless other seasonal excesses consume earth's raw materials - and add to its emissions and landfill.
Still, during the darkest time of the year we have a primal need to bond with our fellow human beings. But it needn't cost the earth. There are many ways to slim down our Christmas. Some businesses and families already draw names from a hat, so that each person gives just one present to another member. In other cases, friends make pacts not to exchange gifts (but can surprise each other during the year).
The Canadian Mennonites initiated the "Buy Nothing Christmas" five years ago. Despite the name, its proponents advocate not a purchase-free Christmas but one where needless overconsumption is avoided. They suggest choosing locally, fair-traded and environmentally-friendly goods; buying things that last; and recycling and reusing where possible. Their website (www.buynothingchristmas.org) has numerous ideas for alternative gifts. Some are endearingly hokey ("make a puppet from a sock"), but sometimes that's all that's needed to celebrate and reinforce our allegiance to our fellow human beings at Christmas - or whatever ethnic or personal festival you're having yourself.