Buy Nothing Christmas

[b4freedom]

I found this card. I think it rocks. But, do I have the balls to do it? Or will I too be a sucker and buy more junk for my family to clutter their homes with?

http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/d...rd_voucher.pdf

[markio26]

funny!!!! thanks for posting this...

[vishenda]

oh yeah!

[jodi]

Neat card. I actually wrote to two relatives this year and asked if they wanted to "opt out" of gifts this year. Both accepted (and seemed glad to do so). I don't think I would have used a card to do this though - I gave my relatives the option of exchanging or not, letting them know that I would be happy with either option. This card takes away the option.

[fairy74]

cute card, but I agree with Jodi, that way you don't create ruffled feathers, if they have already agreed to not exchange gifts then I think this card would be cute to send

[Ima saver]

I liked Tina's idea of giving gifts that disappear. You send me some chocolate fudge, and I will make it disappear!!

[titi]

[quote=b4freedom]I found this card. I think it rocks. But, do I have the balls to do it? Or will I too be a sucker and buy more junk for my family to clutter their homes with?

Or maybe the card could be modified to include the gifts that are not particularly welcome? Something like:

"Please, no clothes the wrong size (not to mention color and cut), no cups in all shapes (even if I break a cup per week, there are cups in stock for the next year or so), no books that I will hardly ever read (because I don't like soap opera crap or memoires that are full of lies), no cosmetics that will make me look worse (because what you are giving me is not suitable for my skin type), no ashtrays (because I am a non-smoker) and so on, and so on. "

[tgavin71]

I suggested to some relatives that we don't exchange gifts anymore because we all have everything we could possibly need. You'd think I'd asked them to go into dealing drugs with the looks they gave me!. "No way" "It's tradition" blah blah blah. These are the same relatives that moan and bi**h when they get a crap present. hhmmmmm just had a thought. I could give everyone crap presents and then ask again next year...ha ha.
I too try and give gifts that disappear. But rarely get them in return. I have asked for my mum to take my kids to the movies for their Christmas present. She asks every year what they want. The silence is deafening.

[titi]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

..... She asks every year what they want. The silence is deafening.

I quite often do the same with close friends and relatives. And they usually tell me what they want. For instance, one of my cousins wanted a voucher for his birthday. He was pissed off with constantly buying new, small amounts vouchers for his mobile and he couldn't afford to buy the most expensive voucher that would last for months on end.

So, my other 3 cousins and me decided that we could share the money and get him a voucher that lasts longer. This was one of the most meaningful presents I have ever made because it was extremely useful, didn't make a clutter and certainly was not cheap junk.

[tgavin71]

Shock horror my mum thinks taking the kids to the movies is a great idea. She only sees them 3 or 4 times a year. I was certain that she would have been a bit upset about the request as she doesn't believe in giving money or gift cards for Christmas. The rest of the family are happy to give vouchers and the like but Mum gives presents. I am going to suggest that it become a tradition.

[PRICEPLUS]

I like the buy nothing idea but I'll bet most retailers won't!