Comments on: Shop Less and Give More

By: Hulbert

Hulbert — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:27:36 +0000

Oh, I just remembered, that unknown quote you have below may be from Winston Churchill if that helps.

By: Hulbert

Hulbert — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:42:04 +0000

Hi Dayne. I really enjoyed reading this article. You reminded us of a couple of ways in which we can give gifts without being too materialistic including homemade gifts, experiences as gifts, and helping out the community as a way of giving. Like you say, Christmas should be more about spending time with family rather than fighting over getting the “best type of gift” for a person at the shopping mall. Thanks for writing this.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:33:12 +0000

The homemade gifts is a great idea. When I get gifts like these I love to think of how the person must really think highly of me by spending the time to create something.

Maybe its just me but I tend to like the busyness of shopping for gifts. Especially when you know the person will love it.

Great post and Happy Holidays

By: Nea | Self Improvement Saga

Nea | Self Improvement Saga — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:30:46 +0000

Oh how I love homemade gifts and simplified holidays. I’d much rather spend time laughing and singing with loved ones than to spend time stressing about gift exchanges. Great article!
Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..Truth and Reality vs. Your Outlook and Perspective

By: Tim Woods

Tim Woods — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:50:28 +0000

I completely agree. My wife and I last year started doing Oxfam donations in people’s names for Christmas. This year I think I’ve found something better. Ijust made my first loan on Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/) yesterday. I’ve been meaning to start doing some bigger donations, but I started small. In about 5 minutes I had lent $40 to a Cambodian woman so she could buy rice seed and fertilizer for her field. I’ve read that after a certain point increased income doesn’t result in increased happiness, unless you give it away. But microfinancing of development projects feels like a smart thing to do as well. Merry Christmas.
Tim Woods´s last blog ..The Music Video

By: Nadia - Happy Lotus

Nadia - Happy Lotus — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:45:27 +0000

Hi Dayne,

It is so sad that the Holidays have become so commericialized. On the one hand, I understand that the economy needs to improve and that by people shopping it will be of help. That said, I like to give presents that come from the heart. So years ago, I started to just give out cookies that I made. It is a lot of work to make over hundreds of cookies but to see the joy on people’s faces makes it so worthwhile.

By: Eric | Eden Journal

Eric | Eden Journal — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:16:12 +0000

Execellent post. We are trying to cut back monetarily but give items of increased value. We’re planning giving some gifts of experiences as you mention, such as a trip to the zoo. I also like your ideas of a small photo book and of babysitting time. The babysitting time would be a great gift for some of our friends in the neighborhood.
Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..The Shoveler and his Golden Shovel

By: alternaview - Sibyl

alternaview - Sibyl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:19:49 +0000

Great post and great reminder of what we should really be focusing on this holiday season. It is oftentimes easy to get caught up in the season. I think we need consistent reminders like this post so that we always have in the front of our minds what this time is really all about. To me, it has always been a season where you can easily see the beauty of the golden rule. As you mentioned, not just from a standpoint of buying and giving gifts, but really being able to see people at their best and then noticing all the great feelings and benefits that are returned to them.
alternaview – Sibyl´s last blog ..The path to a great day: stringing together high quality moments

By: Josten

Josten — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:05:09 +0000

i remember when my father taught me and my sister the true value in christmas when we did not get any gifts. That helped me understand that its very much so good to give.
Josten´s last blog ..How to lessen your hobbies

By: Positively Present

Positively Present — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:17:14 +0000

Excellent post! I love the suggestions you’ve listed. I love to make things so I’m going to work on that instead of buying so many things this year.
Positively Present´s last blog ..oh, what fun!: the benefits of being festive