Thursday, November 27, 2008

Giving Thanks and the Holiday Season Kick-Off

Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

Photo courtesy of here.

Today, as families gather to commemorate the white imperialism that stole this great land from the Native Americans so we can have television shows, web sites, microwave ovens, and fast food, I thought it appropriate to pause and reflect on a number of things both local and global, and to remind myself (and others, should you be open) about topics for consideration these holidays.  This season (perhaps now more than ever) should be about love and giving, not rampant corporate economies and mindless consumerism—mindless clamoring for imported plastic goods created in toxic third world sweatshops.  Let us turn our attention, and our hearts, therefore, inwardly toward ourselves, our families, and our own community this holiday season.  Here are my meager contributions towards such reflections.

Green Friday

I watched What Would Jesus Buy? yesterday, and found it quite enlightening.  (In fact, each holiday season my thoughts turn towards Rev. Billy.) Rev. Billy’s Church of Stop Shopping knows that people will not actually stop shopping, but instead they hope to raise awareness among consumers—challenging them to consider the nature of that in which they participate each frenzied shopping season.

My family keeps asking me what I want for Christmas this year, and I really can’t think of anything.  I guess, if pressed, I’ll admit that a cheap wireless laptop so I can get online upstairs instead of coming to my basement office would be nice.  Definitely not a necessity, though.  So I’m thinking that I should take my own premise for Green Friday to heart.  Perhaps I should tell everyone who plans on spending money on me, whether I want them to do so or not, to buy a gift card to Park + Vine.  It seems the perfect way to stay local and green and to fulfill the desires of family members who want to give me something.

I imagine that many other families, like mine, have obligation spending of this sort.  In other words, there are people who don’t really need anything, but because it’s the holiday season you’ll be obliged to buy something anyway. 

Some people will use opportunities like this to give to charities on behalf of the gift-receiver.  (Hey, if you are in cyberspace reading this, and you feel inspired to give me a gift, don’t forget about the Battle of the Blogs for the Freestore Foodbank!) But I do understand that some purchasers will want to have something for the recipient to use or have or hold, or something.  So I think I’ll be introducing my family to Park + Vine this year. 

Toy Lab

Speaking of staying green and local economies, consider Toy Lab for children this holiday season.  I had nearly forgotten about Toy Lab, but my son brought it up last night when I asked him a question about Christmas gifts.

I said, “Would you rather have a new toy from the toy store, or something that someone made by hand from scratch?”

He thought for a moment, then responded, “Let’s go to Toy Lab and make a toy there.”

What a great idea!  For those who don’t know, Toy Lab combines recycling and creativity into an adventurous family experience.  There are bins filled with toy pieces of every sort—bodies, heads, arms, and other such miscellany.  For $14, you get to spend time in the lab picking out seven pieces that you have a vision for assembling into a brand new toy of your own creation.  Then the lab technicians will assemble the piece according to your vision!  So you help the environment in a small way, support the local economy, and get a one-of-a-kind toy produced by quality family time.  It’s a win all the way around!

BuyCincy’s Holiday Buying Guide

BuyCincy has promised to put together a holiday buying guide.  So before rushing to finish my own holiday shopping, I’ll wait until they get this thing public.  I’ll be curious to see what it says, and how diverse the offerings will be.

• Share This Article!
Listen to this article

Socializer!

Username

Password

Auto-login on future visits

Show my name in the online users list

Forgot your password?

Register

Anonymous comments are allowed, but you can create an account above to stamp your name and to avoid typing the anti-spam code.

If you are not familiar with our rules for leaving comments, click here! The Cincinnati Beacon is not responsible for the contents of any comments. Comments do not represent the views of the moderators of The Cincinnati Beacon.

Vera Z says:
27 Nov 2008  at  11:25 pm | #

Speaking of holiday buying, have you been to the Contact Center at 1227 Vine St.  They get donations from various stores and sell them at unbelievable prices.  This time of year they have their annual toy sell and many of the toys and games are still in their original packages.  The Contact Center is a charitable organization and while you are helping them, you are saving money.  Vera Z

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Smileys

<b>

<i>

<u>

quote

code

@

<a>

Close Tags

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below: