What an inspiring essay, Shannon. You really hit the nail on the head. My wife showed my this article this morning, exclaiming "see, see, other people are sick and tired of all the clutter that we're drowning in". Indeed. This article permits people to still participate in our Christmas traditions without buying more objects made off shore that will never be used by anyone. Thanks!

Thank you for this great piece - and the wonderful ideas.

We've tried carve Christmas back to the core meaning and use it as an opportunity to adopt another family and spend time together. The biggest challenge I find is the insidious underlying guilt that comes when you decide that love isn't represented by gift-wrapped plastic, but others in the family haven't reached that same state of enlightenment.

There is just too much stuff [U]in the world. Why would we foist more on people we love?

Great work, Shannon.

PS. Love the breakfast in bed idea if anyone I know is reading!!

The gift of time...perfect! Is there a soul out there who would not appreciate "time" instead of "stuff?" Thank you, thank you, thank you an excellent reminder, Ms. Rupp!

It seems others are getting in the mood too:

Beyond Robson: "Church of Pointless Consumerism"
http://www.beyondrobson.com/arts/2006/12/church_of_pointless_consumerism/

of Christmas.

What is that, ErinAirton, exactly?

Maybe a bunch of over the hill adult souls, but not kids and young people; and definitely not businesswomen and men and capitalist souls. Sorry.

Perhaps a few 'new agers' too I guess.

ErinAirton (if indeed you are the real Erin Airton): how do reconcile that with your uber-enthusiasm for all things right wing?

And to Shannon Rupp:

Does the friend for whom you offered baby-sitting to as a gift know that you feel children and motherhood are a burden?

ubiquitous
touché my friend

Who do you think warned me?

Looking at the cosmetics stuff, I think it is excellent that there are resources available that provide even a little scientific knowledge for women in an area they tend to have (trying to be diplomatic here...rare for me) an overwhelming interest in. Looking at the articles Shannon linked to it occurs to me that cosmetic chemistry would be a fabulous way to get girls and women interested in what they usually dismiss as a dry, boring subject.

It also reminds me that I tend to forget most people don't have an understanding of even basic science. All I do when shopping for food, body care products or over the counter medications is read the ingredients. I could care less about brand names or attractive packaging. I hardly ever shop with friends, but when I do it always weirds me out when they buy for brand, and ignore what's actually in the product (that's especially true for brand name vs. generic medications that contain exactly the same medicinal ingredients). I also find it a little funny when people are shocked by things like finding out most table salt has sugar added, or most dairy cream (yes the stuff from cows) has seaweed derived thickeners added to it.

I'm not sure I understand "ubiquitous"'s point...

Is he suggesting that conservatives are all about consumption? That if you are a capitalist you lose your ability to make choices? That as a free enterpriser, we are just mindless cogs serving those "evil" corporations?

I will defend your freedom to shop (or not shop) wherever you want. I will defend the right of anyone to open a store and compete in the open market.

But I don't choose to over-stuff my life and those of the people I love. I choose to spend my earnings elsewhere - with groups that serve the community, on dinners with friends, on learning...

Choice...it's a good thing.

It didn't occur to me that this was a right/left issue - silly me.

Again, great work Shannon.

ErinAirton

I don't know about ubiquitous but, yeah, I don't think that's what neoconservatives are all about.

I think they would be messing their shorts big time if there were any kind of a concerted movement away from consumption and spending on a grand scale at Christmas - and for the rest of the year.

I think they truly believe that the only way this society to keep its dice rolling is for folks to keep on spending and the economy to keep on growing. These are the same people who make ridiculous statements about the futility of aid and the advisability of democracy with a gun as a way of giving people ‘choices’. All crap!

How many more people were blown up in Iraq this morning in service of that ideal?
I'll tell you - 56.

I think you are living a mixed message.

You might want to read Andy Bernstein's The Capitalist Manifesto.

It'll give you a clear idea what you really are if you're a neocon.

Yeah G, that's exactly where I was coming from. I'll never forget Bush's post 9-11 speech to the American people, pleading that they go to the malls and shop as a way of dealing with terrorists. I think that conservatives in general get really uptight at the mere suggestion that perhaps rabid consumerism is not really a good thing. I'm sorry to lump you in with that stereotype Erin but I'm going only by what I've read in 24 Hours.

So no, I don’t think that conservatives are all about consumption. I know many so-called progressives decked out with the latest “got-to-haves”. However, I think that equating choice with consumerism is a conservative (at least in this day and age) concept and one that is growing into a paradox. In my view, I see conservatives attack the individual in favour of the corporations – this is (again in my opinion) highlighted perfectly in the rhetoric from both sides regarding the WallMart debate. Anyway, with no time really to get into it suffice to say that “freedom” and “choice” and “shop” and “compete” are words that I associate with conservative thought when used in the same context. Yes, we can all choose to buy shite or to just buy what we truly need but we are constantly reminded that to choose to NOT buy is somehow antithetical to freedom.

Way off topic but:

BTW Erin, when you say "Choice...it's a good thing", does that include a women's right to choose?

GW,

Suffering from a little cynicitis this season? If you think that most people--including kids--don't enjoy the time you spend with them doing something that is fun for them, I challenge you to write up some "gift certificates" offering to take a young person to an event or activity. My guess is that after you pry the Nintendo Wii or t.v. remote out of his/her hands, and get the little one out there (a hiking trail, a skating rink,etc.) and--this is important--get out there with him/her, you will both have a ball. I wish YOU a wonderful winter, GW, and hope that you find a bit of magic in the DOING. By the way, I don't think this has to be confined to Christmas...there are a lot of kids out there who would love to do more than open packages and play with "stuff" in the house over the next few weeks.

Kootowl

Pardon me, but what does Cynictis penicillata have to do with what I wrote? Have you been up in that tree looking for small rodents who dwell on the forest floor too long?

You misapprehend me. My point was directed in a particular direction. And at a particular person who both ubiquitous and I suggested was being a bit duplicitous.

You won't pin your allegations on me, however, I'm all in favour of not buying anything for Xmas, have been for years. I think we have, and buy, way too much 'stuff' as you should have known if you'd read the discourse between ubiquitous and me.

But, all the same, Merry Christmas to you and yours.

G West:

I do believe that George made reference to this, as one of his first announcements right after 9/11........

More than once, I'm sure.
Thx RickW - kootowl appears to have flown off into the forest darkness.

I've been thinking about this discussion all evening with confusion and a bit of sadness... This morning, I still don't quite understand how my embrace of a low-"stuff" Christmas is in contradiction to my values as a conservative and merits such disbelief from above.

As an aside, I also find it quite fascinating that when I engage in conversation with some "progressives", George Bush is thrown into the mix. Believe it or not, he is not the defining icon of the worlds' conservative movement. Many conservatives disagree with his approach both domestically and internationally, as it is neither conservative nor particularly effective. I hardly think that throwing a boogie man into the debate adds positively to the outcome.

Back to topic... Many conservatives I know ascribe to a low debt, high savings, value for money approach, both in government and in our personal lives.

So the only conclusion I can reach from the conversation above is that G West and ubiqitous are so caught up in judgemental, black/white politics that they cannot see complexity of belief. Better to paint all conservatives as ultra-right wing (I believe neo-conservative was used) and "duplicitous" individuals rather than appreciate all people have unique views to be collectively explored.

Again, Merry Christmas. Best wishes to all and thanks again to Shannon and David for their Tyee efforts. I look forward to the interesting discussion next year - I always learn a little something on The Tyee...

Re: kootowl and GWest, I think GWest was saying that Shannon's assumption that the people in our lives have too much stuff and don't need anymore suggests she must live in a somewhat sheltered and prosperous little world. I know plenty of people, and not just kids and young people, who would be more than happy to have a few more material objects.

As for spending time with kids being offered as a Christmas present, well, that just seems kind of weird to me. It seems like something you should just be doing anyway, and wanting to do, and not making a big deal out of it as a "gift". For their sake.

Thanks for that flying fish.

Erin,
Sorry to break it to you, but the generally held philosophy behind virtually all conservative thinking of late - and not just George Bush's (he actually doesn't trouble himself with thinking that much anyway) - is market oriented capitalism.

If you don't think that there is a big disconnect between the attitudes of that philosophy relative to reduced spending and a huge back off in seasonal marketing then I'm afraid you need to read a little more of the economic nonsense from the Chicago school. Or, you can pick up The Capitalist Manifesto, as I suggested – it is a good primer and will help you understand why someone who calls herself a conservative sounds like a phony to me when she promotes the idea of not buying like a mad woman at Christmas.

If you don't see yourself as part of that 'conservative' clique, well, I salute you; you’re among the very few. And as someone else mentioned, its’ a trifle out of character. I assume you'll be supporting the socialist candidate in the next election - pretty much all the others are into the kind of thing you don't like, apparently.

In conclusion, I could hardly have put the other problem with your sentiments, and Shannon's for that matter, any better than flyingfish has.

I think it bears repeating:

So the only conclusion I can reach from the conversation above is that G West and ubiqitous are so caught up in judgemental, black/white politics that they cannot see complexity of belief.

I’ll say again Erin that I drew my conclusion based on your articles in the 24Hours paper. And from your writings, I find your accusation of GWest (although he could defend himself far more eloquently that I could) and me a tad ironic. From my perspective, your articles demonstrate your pride that you have in being a conservative: starting with the title of your column: “Right On”. Your articles are often brazen attacks of the left or anything liberal and while you tend to throw in a few statistics to support your arguments, you make value statements that are not supported by your facts (you also have a tendency to play off of populist emotion). I can conclude only from your articles that you are a conservative and I think that Gwest is not far off the mark when he uses the label neoconservative. Sorry to bring GW Bush into the mix but he is arguably the poster boy of this movement. Your seemingly rabid (a term you used in an article to unfairly describe the pro-choice movement) support of all things conservative led me to conclude that you’d also agree with the notion that Christmas is partly about boosting the economy temporarily and that somehow to reject a consumer Christmas is in a way, counter to the conservative ideals of freedom.

Anyway, I am glad to hear that you adhere to a “less-stuff” Christmas. I have and I got to tell ya, the holiday season thus far has been stress free.

p.s. My first paragraph was meant to be in quotes.

p.p.s. It looks like GWest if a faster typer than I.

uniquitous

Nicely done - I was actually thinking of posting some links to some of Erin's other deep thoughts, but I reconsidered: 'Why bother?' I said, 'It's Christmas!'

I must have been typing too fast , looking back I can see a couple of obvious errors. But I don't think they got in the way of the main message.

Cheers
GW

Hey Erin,

Thanks for the kind words, and let me apologize for the Tyee's peanut gallery. Please don't think they reflect the majority of our readership, which is unusually smart and a great source of both story ideas and information. That small band of usual suspects reminds me of those two old men on the Muppets, sitting in the balcony sniping. And I suspect they do it for much the same reason.

It would certainly explain all the time they spend on the site spinning conspiracy theories and taking personal swipes at journalists. Some of them seem to be writer-wannabes who are desperate to get the ear of a professional journalist, and your byline was a red flag to them. Obviously, they missed the memo about ad hominem attack being the antithesis of intelligent discussion.

They also have some peculiarly American ideas that appear to have been gleaned from watching too much TV in their lonely little rooms. The seem to think that newspapers are supposed to be vehicles for propaganda. They often complain that all the Tyee commentators don't have the same views. They don't seem to understand that's why we call it "journalism" not "public relations."

Contrary to the nonsense they spew, this is a newspaper in the true sense of the word and we do welcome all views, short of anyone saying anything actionable. Which is why we tolerate the peanut gallery.

But we view them as comic relief, and I'd suggest you do the same.

Cheers,

You'd definitely be an expert in that area Shannon.
And thanks, I always find your stuff really funny. Not very serious or thoughtful, but quite amusing.

And that memo on ad hominem attacks? Seems you missed it too.

I have several of yours on file that make the average Tyee poster look like a milquetoast.

I don't think you want to go there.

And I wouldn't just be drawing on the stuff you publish on Tyee either.

I notice quite a bit of your stuff on these pages in the last couple of weeks, are you collecting something for your Christmas stocking?

Cheers yourself

AAAAAAAAAAA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Thank you Shannon. Great article. Even better response to the peanut gallery.

I was surprised they hadn't used their collective geniuses (genii?) to connect Christmas shopping with the Jewish 9-11 conspiracy.

I've forwarded this article to friends and family in the hopes of getting more concert tickets and fewer sweaters. Cheers...

Jewish 9-11 conspiracy?

Must be some other folks you're speaking of.

Oxford says genii.

I’ve been wounded by the literary sword that is Shannon Rupp. Methinks Shannon that the one thing that may be a greater burden than raising children is your ego. Please accept my apologies on behalf of the journalist profession; I didn’t realize you were such a sensitive bunch.

i basically stopped shopping for christmas gifts years ago. now i make up baskets for friends containg my home canning-peaches in brandy anyone?-shortbread and a few other goodies. i buy local organic products or grow them in the summer and can them for christmas. i always include a postcard or something to sign and send to a minister. this year it to the minister of the envoronment to save the Nahinni.
thirft stores this time of year are stocked with christmas stuff. if you want chritmas mugs, just go to a thrift store, a lot of the mugs are new and still have the stickers on. out here the mugs were 25 cents each but now they are half price! filled with a cranberry mixture or whatever is a good low cost gift. my christmas season is mall free and relaxing!

Without readers and 'letters to the editor' newspapers are a one-way street.

Without the peanut gallery, you're out of work sister

Good point Stump.

As for Shannon's offerings, I always find the nasty crude out-of-control comment posts demonstrate how things have gone so badly off the tracks. Still, they are far more entertaining than the trite offerings she thinks of as 'journalism'.

Just above here is a fine example.

However, if such writing were the only thing on this site it wouldn't draw flies. You might want to search out a Rupp column for the Globe and Mail some time ago as a further illustration of the shortcomings of modern journalism education.

Just off the phone with a buddy (ex proffessor of Geography at Eugene, Ore)
He has calculated that 1 Gallon of Gas produces 44 lbs of CO2. Further: 44lbs of CO2 could be contained in a column of atmosphere from sea level to outer space 3 inches cross section. Further: this bundle of gas could also be contained in a 30'x30'x60' balloon in the mid altitude.
1 gallon!
I appologize for going so far off topic.
Ken

Does anybody else ever slide past The Tyee articles (after reading the headings) and start their reading at the comments sections?

I would never ever have mentioned this, except for the startling sneer from the Ruppmeister above.

So we Tyee commentors are stupid, repetitive, clumsy, eh? ... but a great source of information and story ideas?

Sorta like unpaid researchers, sub-editors, and pollsters, I guess.

It's pretty neo-conservative to accept gifts as if entitled, that way, with never a thought for appreciation, and then decide what The Tyee commentors really need is a kick in the teeth afterward.

By the way, what has Tyee done to Truman Green, who was one of Tyee's best commentors?

Back when my journalism days (oops, another wannabe writer!) it was considered bad form for a reporter to enter the fray of the Letters page, except to provide necessary clarification, or a simple response. To engage in a battle of opinions and exchange of insults with your readers was just tacky.

Of course, print newspapers had total control over what letters were printed, and frequently edited and cut them ruthlessly.

An umoderated forum like Tyee comments is always going to get its share of tedious ramblers, uninformed opinionators, thread-hijackers and people who type waaay waaaay too much. And yeah, it's irritating when someone manages to pop up in forum after forum turning a variety of discussions back to their own obsessions.

On the other hand, a great deal of Tyee's Life and Entertainment articles are so frothy and content-less that there isn't that much to say about them, which may be one reason threads stray.

The only way for umoderated forums to stay on track is for the users to moderate them.

Easier said than done, of course.