6 Comments

• 1nane December 22nd, 2015

  The Twelve Illusions of Christmas

  
  

  1. Christmas is the season of Peace and Goodwill
  
  Peace and Goodwill are NEVER seasonal. They have to be in your Heart every minute of every day – otherwise, you are part of a big illusion.

  
  

  2. “Aw, bit wir daein’ it fur the bairns”
  
  Do you really believe that our severely messed-up world can be changed by teaching our children the same old values? Then please consider the possibility that you are part of a big illusion

  
  

  3. We must buy each other gifts at Christmas time
  
  Do you really need society’s permission to offer a gift to someone. Surely you can do this anytime. Yes, buy someone a gift, or be inspired to make one, whenever you feel like it, and invariably, it will be appreciated because it comes from your Heart. Do you need society’s permission to have a special meal together? Why not just go ahead and do it, for the sheer joy of it.

  
  

  4. Christmas creates jobs
  
  Is it OK for fellow human beings in the third world to work as slaves, so that the folks in the western world can give each other garbage which nobody needs? Surely this is a big illusion. (this is true all year long, not just the season of goodwill.) OK, OK, so a few students get to deliver the Christmas post.

  
  

  5. It’s OK for multi-national corporations to make even more profit than they usually would – because it’s Christmas time
  
  Do you really believe this? Then you are part of a big illusion.

  
  

  6. It’s OK for multi-national corporations to pillage the Earth, squander our natural resources, to make even more profit than they usually would – because it’s Christmas.
  
  Do you realise that, by purchasing all these worthless goods, you are giving your permission for this sheer irresponsibility,? If not, then you are part of a big illusion.

  
  

  7. It’s really cool to decorate your home with tinsel
  
  Why would anyone want to “decorate” their home – their very own personal space – with tinsel? Could it be something to do with a big illusion? In that case, tinsel is the perfect material – shallow, ugly, meaningless trash. How appropriate.

  
  

  8. It’s OK to spend spend spend, even to go into debt, because it’s Christmas.
  
  Can you financially afford all this bloody nonsense? Do you really want to pay money to be part of this illusion?

  
  

  9. Christmas can be a stressful time, but it’s worth it.
  
  Do you really need the stress that many folks experience at this time of year? It’s hardly a holiday. IS IT? It’s more like an illusion.

  
  

  10. Well, at least we do get a couple of days holiday
  
  Do you actually believe that your employer has granted you a holiday, just so you can celebrate Christmas? Yes, of course it’s an illusion – do you really need to be told this?
  
  11. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
  
  Do you believe that Christmas has anything to do with the birth of Jesus Christ (whose teachings you may, or may not, aspire to? ) Yes? Then you are part of an illusion, as it’s really about Jesus Cash. It’s about keeping you consuming, and under the illusion that this is all wonderful.

  
  

  12. Those who refuse to celebrate Christmas are a bit strange
  
  Do you think that someone, who refuses to “celebrate” Christmas is a total bloody weirdo? Yes? You’ve got it – it’s just another of the illusions you are willing to tolerate. Some people like to make up their own minds. They don’t like to be controlled.

  
  

  So … please, at least consider the above points. Maybe they have, in the past, just got lost in the Christmas Rush, and you haven’t found the time to think about them before. With all this brainwashing going on, you can hardly be blamed.

  
  

  If, after some pondering, you still think Christmas is really cool, then fair enough. At least the illusions have been brought to your attention. It would be a shame if you didn’t, at least, know about the possibility that you might – just might – be unknowingly experiencing severe manipulation.

  
  

  Oh … and spare a Christmas thought for the poor weirdos. Let them live their lives the way they believe is right, even if you don’t agree.

  
  

  Let them be.

  
  

  HAPPY NEW NOW.

  
  

• 2johnhson December 22nd, 2015

  I rather like Christmas – it’s an odd one really. Obviously the Christians decided to impose their myth onto the pagan midwinter celebrations of the solstice with it’s message of re-birth, but that rebirth, the days getting longer remains. It’s become a very inclusive festival, I’ve seen Muslims and Jews, Sikhs and Hindus with Christmas trees and decorations. It’s grown beyond the Christians.
  
  Yes, it’s a commercial spendfest – winterval – and there will be more food wasted than any other time of the year. Nothing is perfect.
  
  On the other hand – we hit hard times like a brick wall and stopped buying presents except for children. Instead we gave jars of jam and chutney, home grown and pickled onions and home made wine. Some 4 years later the finances had improved so we bought everyone gifts – they were well thought out, quite expensive yet the universal reaction was disappointment that we hadn’t made any jams or chutneys to give. So, back to the home made stuff and donate the cash to charity.
  
  Have a good one whatever you believe ?

  
  

• 3mary smale December 3rd, 2023

  dont forget home grown food they can use themselves

• 4Sue December 3rd, 2023

  There are hundreds of charity and recycling shops that sell really useful, interesting and excellent items for under £5. We have a local one called Tri Marrant I guess in English it would be 'Fun Recycling' as tri in this sense means waste reduction, as much of the stuff in the shop was initially heading for the town dump and thus landfill but instead can be left at a collection point. Here are some of the things we have purchased for under £5:

  Cast Iron pans/skillets

  Knitting wool - yes 100% wool

  Knitting Needles, crochet hooks, embroidery yarn

  Cups, Mugs, Glasses

  Plates

  Baskets

  Old biscuit tins

  Hat boxes

  Aprons

  Tea Towels

  Framed Prints and Watercolours

  Books

  DVDs, CDs, LPs

  Tiles

  Linen Handkerchiefs

  Pillow Cases

  Barbecue tools

  Storage Jars

  Coffee Pot

  Outside Light

  Wall clock

  Alarm Clock

  Champagne Bucket

  Butter Dish

  Clothes

  Flower vases

  This shop also has frequent sales so often you can get furniture for either under £5 or just give what you can.

  All the money goes to help local people in need get back on their feet and provides them with viable jobs.

  
  

  I think your ideas are great and we make many presents and all our own cards but don't rule out there being things other than 'tat' for under £5. We're in France but I've just been over to the UK and there are still great bargains in second-hand goods. Happy Hunting!

  
  

  
  

  
  

• 5John Gilbert December 4th, 2023

  “The best things in life aren’t things”. Bumper sticker attributed by Judith Levine in “Not buying it”

• 6Rebecca Stacey December 6th, 2023

  Fab suggestions here - thanks all!