Christmas: a celebration of love or a gift for trade?

Christmas: a celebration of love or a gift for trade?

Even the Magi would hardly have thought that the celebration of light would turn into a frenzy of consumption over time. Does it have to go on forever? And can it at all? More contemplation and less desire to buy would do us all good. Just as Mother Earth and future generations would be happy about it.

Of course, we all enjoy the Christmas Eve in the circle of the family in front of the shining fir tree. We eagerly await the festive meal and open lovingly wrapped gifts before dessert. After all, we deserve it and have invested a lot of time and money in it. But is this ultimately also in the spirit of those who brought Christmas to life, because the days are getting longer again from December 21?

Enough is enough, and sensible goes differently

It doesn't have to be the latest cell phone every year, one more aftershave that lines up next to the others in the bathroom, or a winter jacket that just hangs around in the closet. In 2021, every Swiss citizen spent more than CHF 330.00 on gifts. For the retail trade, as every year, this was one of the strongest sales periods, even though 1/3 of all gifts were ordered online. Just give something that is meaningful, of high quality, of lasting value and sustainable. This is always well received and will certainly bring you joy.

Give time, you will always find it

For example, your partner or children, your nieces or single uncle: exclusive time off for a selected person, redeemable in the next year, costs nothing and is only a very valuable investment. Because taking time always comes from the heart and strengthens your bond. Is there a better sign of true appreciation, recognition and love?

Give homemade gifts for every day

How about making your own tea or jam, a pair of hand-knitted, warm socks, or a cookbook from your own pen - complete with a matching painted kitchen apron? If you lack the skills, you can find similar products in workshops of social institutions and in specialized shops. Or at companies that have also made a good name for themselves online because they manufacture first-class products without exploiting the environment or employees.

Give a tree for life

Imagine planting a tree for each of your children. A nice tradition could grow from this: every birthday you visit it and see how it grows bigger and maybe bears fruit one day. If you don't know how and where to implement this plan, just get affordable and sustainable clothing, for example from NIKIN. Since 2016, in cooperation with OneTreePlanted, we have planted a tree for every product sold - over 1.9 million pieces to date.

Give something that pleases permanently

How about if everyone didn't always stare at a screen, but instead played something together? Board, card and skill games are available in countless variations and for every age group. Want to bet that everyone will be thrilled? Gifts in the form of subscriptions to newspapers or magazines are just as suitable. Or vouchers for books. Reading decelerates, makes you smarter, and doesn't even need electricity: an exciting thing!

Conclusion: Despite pre-sales, Black Fridays and bargains, giving presents can and may be fun. All the more so if you go about it with brains. And you get that for free.

 

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