Opinion | The case against Christmas presents – we need to create a culture that gives less, but better
With so much waste clogging up the planet, it’s time we tried a new approach altogether
What is the worst Christmas gift you’ve received? The wine holder in the shape of a sparkly pink Birkin has got to be in the top 10.
When I was single, I received a “Tea Set for One” decorated with pictures of cats. There was the dancing Santa Claus from a distant relative as a wedding present – in June.
Etiquette tells us to gratefully accept whatever we are given. Times have changed, though. The world is choking on all the stuff we buy, especially during the holidays. We need new rules.
Is it ever OK to say you don’t like a gift? It should be. I’d be straight with my mother. I’m working my way up to diplomatically rebuffing unwanted gifts from friends. I don’t need more stuff.
I’m working my way up to diplomatically rebuffing unwanted gifts from friends. I don’t need more stuff.
It took me years to muster the courage to return a gift from my husband if I didn’t love it. I so appreciated the effort he’d made, I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. But the wastefulness of expensive gifts sitting unused forced me to be honest. In the end, he did not take offence, and I’d like to think we’re both better gift-givers for it.
