12.05.2007

Keeping up with the Kringles

I'm not going to even try to do it this year. I can't afford it.

What on earth am I referring to, you ask?

I'm referring to spending outrageous amounts of money on Christmas cards. Yes, those expensive Christmas cards, either with foil or without, with happy holiday designs on them that draw you in and whisper loudly, "Show your friends and family how you REALLY like them with such an elaborate card such as myself! Ten in a package!"

You know what speaks to me this year? $2.49. Yep, that's right. Two dollars and forty nine cents. Plus tax. For 18 cards.

If your lucky I might put a candy cane sticker on the back of the envelope, a la Hallmark (when you care enough to send the best you can afford). If your really lucky I'll include recent school pictures of the girls. If you totally rate I'll even through in a few X's and O's.

I didn't purposely set out to be cheap this year. Last year I bought really cute (cheap) holiday cards with funny cartoons of reindeer and snowmen. But let's be honest here: I send you my Christmas card. You tape it on your wall, or arrange it in a fancy thingamabober that you bust out once a year and then you throw my card away as soon as the holiday lights get taken down and stored in the basement. I don't blame you for throwing it away but you do. That's money people! Do you realize how much money we throw away each year?

Think about pricey wrapping paper. You spend a ton of money on paper that gets ripped apart! In mere seconds! (My best friend's sister, Heather, is notorious for spending 20 minutes carefully unwrapping each present that she's ever received in her lifetime. She's the exception, not the rule. Heather spends more time doing this than her sister Jennipher does putting on makeup... and that's saying a lot!) One blogger posted that we spend 2.7 billion dollars annually on wrapping paper and the like (bows, ribbons, etc.). I don't have any idea if that figure is accurate but can you imagine??? Spending all that money just to ball it up and pop it into the trash! (Side note: If you are in the habit of throwing money away mindlessly please contact me via email and I'll be happy to provide you with my home address. I accept cash, personal check with valid i.d. and all major credit cards.)

Here's an idea. Let's move away from the commercialization of Christmas and remember what fostered this holiday in the first place. You don't have to a Christian to enjoy spreading goodwill toward others. Here's another idea... bake a batch of cookies, pop some into a tin and carry it with you on a trip to the mall. Hand it to the stranger who opens the door for you or the cashier who rings up your purchases. I did this one year and it was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. You have the power to make a difference in someone's life. Do that a few times and the Kringles will have one heck of a time keeping up with you!

5 comments:

Dan said...

I did this one year and it was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

Brava! Brava! Yup, you and I are on the same wavelength on this one. And what's this about me writing it with much more panache. No way! You write beautifully!

Thanks for visiting! Hugs.

White Hot Magik said...

This year I am giving out the cards I failed to send last year and the leftovers from years past. I have been very bah humbug about expensive useless traditions regarding Christmas too like random gift exchanges with people you don't know.

Nora

Patty O said...

Am I getting a Christmas card? You should totally get me one even though I'll probably forget to put it on my thingamabobber (spellcheck says that's not a word) and then throw it away December 26.

We had a snow day on Monday, and while it was cool to get the day off from work, I was bitterly reminded that winter is smacking us in the face early this year. Boo winter, yay summer! And then we might get another snowstorm this coming Monday!

Mama Tango said...

Excuse me...I don't believe I got a candy cane sticker. Now I know.

{sigh}

I'm loving the cookie idea. We always take cookies to the local fire house (man, I have to go get stuff for that!), but this seems a tad more unexpected...lovely idea!

Anonymous said...

Oh so true! And exactly why I do not give Christmas Cards. I do hate the thought of my money going to the trash. Not Cheap just Sad about the thought going to the dump more than anything LOL