| Christmas without the cost |
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| Tuesday, 18 December 2007 00:00 |
 Christmas is often a time of unsurpassed spending. It seems few of us stop to think about what we purchase, how it was produced and by whom, what impact the item has had on the environment, and whether or not the recipient truly needs more "stuff".
A recent survey by duttondirect.com determined that 60% of Australians have bought a luxury item as a Christmas present, with expensive jewellery topping the list of high-ticket gifts. The survey said that 9% had bought a prestige car as a gift. While many Christian charities and community services focus on helping people celebrate Christmas in the traditional way — with gifts and hampers — other Christians seek alternative ways of expressing their faith, tempering the impulse towards Christian generosity with a concern for being socially and environmentally responsible and keeping a critical eye on the flagrant materialism of the season. Lin Hatfield Dodds is National Director of UnitingCare Australia, President of the Australian Council of Social Service, and the 2007 Australian Capital Territory Australian of the Year. Married to Steve, a research director with CSIRO, they are very aware of the social and environmental costs of Christmas. Lin says Christmas is a time to celebrate the solidarity of God, the incarnational Christ, and a time to reflect on God’s calling to journey with others, particularly those who are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. This is clearly a departure from the commercialised view of Christmas. Thankfully, Lin is not alone. A growing number of groups, both Christian and non-Christian, are offering suggestions about how to think responsibly about how we share the Christmas spirit. Community support organisation Our Community has called for an end to Kris Kringle and Secret Santa in the workplace, suggesting that employees might instead be encouraged to donate money to local community groups. “Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on the status and nature of consumerism in your own life and in your culture’s life,” says Lin, “but if this is the only time of the year you reflect on it then that lacks integrity. You would hope, as people of faith, we’d be continually reflecting on and struggling with this". Lin’s family has discovered alternatives to the typical rampant gift-fest. “We try to give people things that aren’t ‘stuff’,” says Lin. “And if you’re buying stuff you can choose to buy from an organisation that is socially sustainable and is trying to tread more lightly on the planet, where you know no-one is going to be exploited in the development of the products. Or from places like the Wilderness Society or the Australian Conservation Foundation and you know the profits will go back into something that will make a difference in the world.” Lin has also conducted experiments with extended family and friends. One year everybody received TEAR gifts, TEAR products being born of partnerships between churches in the west with churches in developing countries. Other times they have agreed to donate equal sums of money spent on presents to a nominated charity. “It’s about thinking creatively about sharing the wealth you have and not just your financial wealth,” says Lin. Lin’s parents modelled this creative sharing when she was growing up by inviting people, who would otherwise spend the day alone, to join the family for Christmas. For those who want to set themselves the challenge of having an environmentally responsible Christmas, there are a number of things to consider beyond the matter of presents, starting with the kind of tree to buy and how to decorate it. Electronic cards or cards made from recycled paper are also an environmentally responsible choice. It might mean a big wash up but sticking to durable plates, cups and cutlery instead of using disposable ones will help minimise your Christmas footprint. And finally, as food is always centre stage on Christmas Day, pay some mind to what you buy and serve. Organic and free range meats and dairy foods are more humane and environmentally friendly and they just might taste better too. Food waste is also an issue in many households come Christmas Day so less is more for Christmas grocery shopping too. If, as Lin says, Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on the status and nature of consumerism in your life, moving into the New Year with a lighter and clearer conscience might be the best Christmas present you can give yourself.
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