So here I am, November, a little cold because of your breath, a little less colorful but still keeping the summer warmth on our cheeks.
Every day I cross off you takes me closer to Christmas and Christmas is a holiday I respect and I used to love before consumerism. Every year Christmas looses a bit more of its charm for the sake of big corporations' financial stability.
I grew to hate Christmas outside my home because what I see is not what I feel anymore. Last year on Black Friday I told I was honoring Buy Nothing day instead. The reason is no secret, I am sick of the crowds in the shopping centers frantically buying anything they see.
Christmas is supposed to hold different values than the one that has to do with money. It is so ironic that this specific holiday, that is about the birth of Jesus, about family and kindness, has been so much exploited as to reach to the level of the event with the highest economic impact in the year.
This holiday season I have a suggestion for you. You can start planning and crafting your presents today or you can trust me and check out all the amazing advertisers on Kanelstrand.
I take pride in everyone I work with. And for that to happen I have to believe in them. Every would-be advertiser goes through serious screening before they appear on the blog but once they are here I can wholeheartedly stand up for what they do. I take care to present to you eco-conscious artists and crafters, who have a unique point of view and I guarantee that they create with love. My advertsiers are people who you would like to be your friends.
Go ahead and click on the beautiful images in the left sidebar. If you like what you see send the shop owner a message, say that you have come from Kanelstrand, tell them what you think about the shop. You might simply warm their heart without expecting anything in return. Sometimes these people need some loving too :)
Every day I cross off you takes me closer to Christmas and Christmas is a holiday I respect and I used to love before consumerism. Every year Christmas looses a bit more of its charm for the sake of big corporations' financial stability.
I grew to hate Christmas outside my home because what I see is not what I feel anymore. Last year on Black Friday I told I was honoring Buy Nothing day instead. The reason is no secret, I am sick of the crowds in the shopping centers frantically buying anything they see.
Christmas is supposed to hold different values than the one that has to do with money. It is so ironic that this specific holiday, that is about the birth of Jesus, about family and kindness, has been so much exploited as to reach to the level of the event with the highest economic impact in the year.
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| Felt heart garland by My Hideaway |
This holiday season I have a suggestion for you. You can start planning and crafting your presents today or you can trust me and check out all the amazing advertisers on Kanelstrand.
I take pride in everyone I work with. And for that to happen I have to believe in them. Every would-be advertiser goes through serious screening before they appear on the blog but once they are here I can wholeheartedly stand up for what they do. I take care to present to you eco-conscious artists and crafters, who have a unique point of view and I guarantee that they create with love. My advertsiers are people who you would like to be your friends.
Go ahead and click on the beautiful images in the left sidebar. If you like what you see send the shop owner a message, say that you have come from Kanelstrand, tell them what you think about the shop. You might simply warm their heart without expecting anything in return. Sometimes these people need some loving too :)
Very cool reminder to not lose the connection to the holiday and family. And I very much appreciate the guide to eco conscious creators. Thank you!
ReplyDelete-Jamie
http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/
You are welcome, Jamie!
DeleteI agree that consumerism casts a very unattractive shadow on the bright spirit of Christmas and the holidays. As a mother of a young daughter, I try my best to remind her that life's best gifts are our connections of love and friendship, nature's beauty and creativity. As for holiday gift giving, I try to purchase mostly from local, Etsy and other online artisans. One story to share...last Christmas our daughter wished for a fairy house, so we searched online together and on Etsy, we found a sweet little home handcrafted from wood. We placed our order, and when the box arrived, I noticed the return address was a very small town I recognized because my husband's aunt and her family used to live there. I contacted the seller to let her know how delighted we were with the little house and mentioned my husband's aunt. After a few convos back and forth, we discovered the seller and my husband's aunt had been friends long ago! My husband's uncle had been one of her children's teachers. I love "small world" connections such as this one, and I look forward to making new connections with some of your advertised artists and crafters. Thank you for your suggestions!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Lisa. Your story is a 100% proof of why it is better to choose handmade. The connections we make, discover or remember, make our lives more human and warm. I love similar experiences!
DeleteI honored buy nothing day last black Friday as well, I think it should become a regular holiday. I agree with you about Christmas, some of the best Christmas's we had are the ones where we made each other gifts and just enjoyed being together as a family.
ReplyDeleteYou do have great advertisers and I am honored to be one of them. Your post has inspired me, I think I am going to have everyone who comes for the holidays make at least one gift for everyone. That might be fun.
Thanks for another great post Sonya!
Valerie
Everyday Inspired
My family and I haven't been out on Black Friday in years. But this year, we actually need to get something that's probably on the Black Friday lists (a new TV). Yes, we have a dinosaur of a TV - it's not flat, the color's not great, but you know what? It's worked VERY well, up until a few days ago. So this year, I will be out on Black Friday (unless I find a super deal before then). But, handmade gifts are ABSOLUTELY the way to go EVERY year! =0)
ReplyDeleteI see a few familiar shops on your sidebar (AdditionsStyle is one of my faves) and there are new ones for me to check out too - and I WILL! I know you would advertise only the best, and I trust you and your judgement (because you're great).
~Kim
2justByou.blogspot.com
Eek! Sonya, thank you for featuring my heart garland! This just made my day. :D
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with your holiday shopping fatigue. A few years ago, I made a decision to buy as many items as I could from handmade or vintage sellers, independent businesses in my own area, and to make as many things as I could. I have to say, it made a big difference in how I view the holidays! I think there is so much joy in making something for someone you love, or supporting someone else's passion and buying from other artists. That gives me a lot of joy too! At first I worried that particularly my nieces and nephews wouldn't go for this idea, because it's not the latest cool toy or cartoon or game or whatever. But I have to say, that has not happened. I was surprised how special it made them feel to get a gift made just for them in colors or with animals I know they like. I made a felt pink and purple butterfly stuffed toy for my niece when she was young, and even though it's seen better days at this point (and looking a little worn) she still has it displayed on her dresser almost 5 years later. :)