The awkward subject of gifts
A few people have asked me about what I want for Christmas, and insisted that I should make a list available for reference. Every year I do so, and every year I feel immensely weird about doing so. This year I feel even weirder, since I know people who are out of work, struggling, and not able to afford basic amenities, let alone gifts for others. The act of posting a "wish list" seems tacky in comparison, but on the other hand I don't want to annoy people who do want to get me a gift.
So here is my compromise solution: I'll post a wish list (which can be reached by CLICKING HERE), but I'll also ask your indulgence while I post a few other things.
First, I really really believe that Christmas/Yule/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/X-Mas should be about friends and/or family and appreciating those friends and/or family. The presents, food, tree, candles, etc. are not what I think is relevant and important about the experience. Then again, I'm an atheist, so what the hell do I know? Seriously though, if you can't afford to get me something, or don't want to get me something, no worries. I don't expect gifts for any occasion, so not getting me a gift has zero impact on my happiness or lack thereof. I'd much rather see you and have a cup of coffee or something. That also goes for anyone else you're not sure you can shop for. If they're true friends or family, they'll be happy just to see you and spend some time with you. The gifts are not why we like each other.
Second, I want to direct you to Kiva. If you do have some spare cash lying around, you could do worse than Kiva for a place to spend it. Kiva uses the money to provide micro-loans to small business in third-world countries, which often improves the quality of life in a tangible way for the recipients involved. I strongly believe that improved educations and an improved quality of life are the two best ways to create stable, humane, politically moderate countries in the rest of the world. So if you're a liberal, loan some money through Kiva to people in need and improve the live of people less well-off than you. If you're a conservative, use the very powerful hand of capitalism to stabilize foreign countries and turn them into friendly and thankful trading partners. Either way you look at it, you could be doing very tangible good in the world with what we consider a small amount of money.
Lastly, I hope you all have as wonderful of a winter as possible. Whether that means expensive gifts, spending time with a loved one, or just keeping your head above water until things get better in 2010, I wish you the best possible winter you can have. If you're reading this right now there's a 99.9% chance that you are alive, and that someone in the world loves you. It's not quite a new iPhone, but it's a pretty good base to build off of, isn't it?
So here is my compromise solution: I'll post a wish list (which can be reached by CLICKING HERE), but I'll also ask your indulgence while I post a few other things.
First, I really really believe that Christmas/Yule/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/X-Mas should be about friends and/or family and appreciating those friends and/or family. The presents, food, tree, candles, etc. are not what I think is relevant and important about the experience. Then again, I'm an atheist, so what the hell do I know? Seriously though, if you can't afford to get me something, or don't want to get me something, no worries. I don't expect gifts for any occasion, so not getting me a gift has zero impact on my happiness or lack thereof. I'd much rather see you and have a cup of coffee or something. That also goes for anyone else you're not sure you can shop for. If they're true friends or family, they'll be happy just to see you and spend some time with you. The gifts are not why we like each other.
Second, I want to direct you to Kiva. If you do have some spare cash lying around, you could do worse than Kiva for a place to spend it. Kiva uses the money to provide micro-loans to small business in third-world countries, which often improves the quality of life in a tangible way for the recipients involved. I strongly believe that improved educations and an improved quality of life are the two best ways to create stable, humane, politically moderate countries in the rest of the world. So if you're a liberal, loan some money through Kiva to people in need and improve the live of people less well-off than you. If you're a conservative, use the very powerful hand of capitalism to stabilize foreign countries and turn them into friendly and thankful trading partners. Either way you look at it, you could be doing very tangible good in the world with what we consider a small amount of money.
Lastly, I hope you all have as wonderful of a winter as possible. Whether that means expensive gifts, spending time with a loved one, or just keeping your head above water until things get better in 2010, I wish you the best possible winter you can have. If you're reading this right now there's a 99.9% chance that you are alive, and that someone in the world loves you. It's not quite a new iPhone, but it's a pretty good base to build off of, isn't it?