Is This The Last Straw?

There have been many posts recently about how to re-brand Christmas so that it is not about consuming, buying and shopping. As Dr Seuss has aptly stated, maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas is not about packages, boxes or bags. We need to stop buying all the plastic that grows and grows!

I sold my seven foot Christmas tree a few weeks ago and felt a sense of peace. The space in my basement is nice, but the best thing is I don’t have to haul that heavy box up and down the stairs every year, and feel the obligation to put it up and then take it down. I put up two tiny ones that I have had for a while, as well as a few scattered decorations, and my home still looks festive. I doubt I can single handedly start a no-tree Christmas, but surely no tree is better than buying a live tree? Surely not buying unnecessary presents is better than buying presents?

I know that not purchasing at the holidays will have impacts on businesses and the economy. But maybe encouraging the world to think a different way is what we need to do. I certainly am feeling very “end of days”. With photos of the arctic ice now gone and Australia burning as we speak, why am I doing a Secret Santa exchange at work? It seems our practices are not keeping up with the reality around us.

Now is the time to stop buying. If you are worried about businesses, buy local, ethically made, sustainable products that are preferably consumable. And feel free to re-gift! Re-gifting meets the need to give at the holidays, with the added bonus of simultaneous de-cluttering! A good re-gift provides meaning to the recipient, though. It needs to be thoughtful.

As always, if you need help de-cluttering over the winter, or are faced with a house that needs emptying, you can reach me at 250-891-5969. Or take my course in February (through Oak Bay Rec) and learn the tips and tricks to do it yourself! Happy stress free holidays!