tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post8164128375030894807..comments2023-09-23T10:31:06.491-05:00Comments on Kathy At 49: New Thing #331--Give PresenceKathy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10593849691667606991noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-85638211448164094292008-12-08T08:50:00.000-06:002008-12-08T08:50:00.000-06:00I came across this site a while back, too. What a ...I came across this site a while back, too. What a fantastic idea!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10339313176537981252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-36225248174377466162008-12-08T07:05:00.000-06:002008-12-08T07:05:00.000-06:00I like that it's called the Advent Conspiracy! Alt...I like that it's called the Advent Conspiracy! Although I am not religious, Christmas is something that you still have to do. I've loathed it for many years as it makes me feel depressed and superficial. I've tried to buy less gifts, give homemade gifts, give service/money to charities...but in my life it's like I'm the only one doing it so it doesn't work! And makes me into a bit of a jerk because I don't like to spend the money. <BR/><BR/>This year, we are having Christmas with my partner's family in Europe - where his mother has declared "no gifts unless handmade" - however, this rule does not apply to his youngest brother [who will be 6 on the 21st of December] - everyone is encouraged to spend, spend, spend on him so he can impress his friends. It's frustrating!Sydneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14740877135009167937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-3686548597582593302008-12-08T06:27:00.000-06:002008-12-08T06:27:00.000-06:00I LOVE This!I LOVE This!Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02445704577865745195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-615129393358735512008-12-08T03:16:00.000-06:002008-12-08T03:16:00.000-06:00This is the first christmas I will have looked for...This is the first christmas I will have looked forward to for 6 years, all the previous ones have been surviving christmas's and ones I would rather forget.. I agree with you on the commercialisation of christmas and love the idea of your 10 christmas gifts..even if people did one or two it might make a difference.Sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005047450040559399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-67077314330134423312008-12-07T23:29:00.000-06:002008-12-07T23:29:00.000-06:00I love this Kathy! I was just thinking it was time...I love this Kathy! I was just thinking it was time for me to give back this Christmas. My new things have been pretty cool, but doing them makes me realise how lucky I am to have the health and financial means to travel and try cool activities. <BR/><BR/>And it makes me motivated to give some joy to those who aren't so fortunate. My next new thing will definitely be a giving one - I have some great christmasy ideas :) And the ideas in this post have been inspiring too. I especially like the companionship gift - there are a few elderly family friends and neighbours who I know would love a christmas visit! The coupons are cute too.Lisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03396812214513923983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-55958794635769414322008-12-07T21:53:00.000-06:002008-12-07T21:53:00.000-06:00Our church is involved in the Advent Conspiracy. ...Our church is involved in the Advent Conspiracy. If you check out the website, click on the center of California and you will find our church, First Baptist. We are building a health clinic in Nigeria and working to help bring clean water to villages there. <BR/><BR/>We have never spent lavishly on Christmas for ourselves but rather on others in our community. i am a big believer in giving it all away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-79039029351367111682008-12-07T21:39:00.000-06:002008-12-07T21:39:00.000-06:00I read about the Secret Santa in the POST--they ha...I read about the Secret Santa in the POST--they had an article before it happened, and then another afterwards. Fascinating. I wish I had that kind of money to give away!<BR/><BR/>We're actually doing a White Elephant gift exchange among my SIL,nieces, and nephews. The gift is to cost no more than $5. Since we range in age from 13 to 50, there should be a wide range of things.Kathy Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10593849691667606991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513088061082641688.post-9939883688294263902008-12-07T21:32:00.000-06:002008-12-07T21:32:00.000-06:00I am all about the decommercializing of Christmas....I am all about the decommercializing of Christmas. I have stopped buying gifts for anyone that is not in my immediate family -- parents, and siblings (and with the siblings we do a secret Santa so we only buy for two people instead of all -- and I only do one gift - for my parents, sometimes that is a service rather than an actual gift). I also donate money instead of buying gifts. That could be to organizations, to individuals, to the students at school, whoever, as long as I feel I am helping someone. <BR/><BR/>Kind of like the secret Santa that was here in St.Louis on Friday giving out money -- did you hear about that? I wrote about it on my blog if you need to see some links.a.eyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468719598280416330noreply@blogger.com