Power to Change » tradition

What’s Really Behind Gifts?

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:00:01 +0000

Christmas is synonymous with gifts, and gifts can be a lot of things. Gifts can be tradition. Gifts can be expensive tokens. They can be wrapped packages of obligation. They might just be boxes that serve as under-the-tree fillers. But gifts, in their most ideal form, can be thought-out sentiments of love.

Yet I never thought about them as substitutes for words until I read this quote by Harlan Miller,

“Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words.”

Now the bulging Christmas lists, the wracked Visa cards, and the hectic malls full of strained faces and hurried feet make a bit more sense. Maybe everyone is racing against the clock to cross names off their Christmas list. Or maybe some of them are truly trying to purchase a symbol of how they feel about someone.

When you look at it, it seems like every tradition started out as something honest and heart-felt. I think gifts started out much the same way, as a way to express something from the heart, not from the wallet.

As you scour the stores, trying to find that perfect gift, why are you doing it? Is it because it’s Christmas and, well, this is just what everyone does? Or are you truly trying to find an accurate substitute to express your affections?

Image credit: brungrrl

Is that … Santa?

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:00:00 +0000

Creepy robotic Santa. That’s what my friend and I encountered recently upon entering a local discount store, complete with entirely unnatural movement and distorted, pre-recorded Christmas-esque chatter.

As people entered the store, a few paused briefly to gawk at it before hurrying along to their shopping. It didn’t seem to be attracting any children though, who seemed more afraid of it than intrigued.

This led to a discussion with my friend about why Santa seems to be used and abused so often by companies to sell their products. We concluded that this happens because Santa is one of the few instantly recognizable figures that isn’t trademarked, and so any company can use him however they want.

Does it bother you when companies use Santa’s image to hock their wares? Are there companies which you think use Santa’s image particularly well and tastefully? And what memories does hearing Santa Claus’ name conjure up for you?

By the way, Where did this “St. Nick” guy come from anyways? Sondra Burnett explores his history on TheLife.com.

Image credit: Wootang01

A Meaningful Christmas

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:00:52 +0000

For many of us this year’s Christmas budget will be a little tighter than last year, but that doesn’t mean you have to downsize the holiday. The key to a great Christmas in any economy lies in choosing the moments you want to focus your time and resources on.

Budget expert Gary Foreman’s Gift Buying Guide
How to start a family tradition

If you have concerns about the coming season, we want to hear from you. Send an us an email and one of our mentors will get back to you. (It’s even easier than writing to Santa Claus.)