howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
How about a day of peace?
Or a day when every person in the world has 3 decent meals?
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Worthy thoughts, Ross. But the Old Man and I were talking about the Children in Need events, and I wondered why people think life is fair? It isn't, and as much as we want there to be no need for Children in Need there will always be that need because life simply isn't fair. We can strive to make it so, and we can reduce the risks of unfairness, promote equality, and work hard to create a better world - I like to think we do that - but the bottom line is, well, the bottom line, the £sd that people pursue and the self interest that we all have.
But I will join you in your wishes, because they are good wishes and the wishes we should have for our world, and if I am honest I am still idealistic enough to think there is hope for them.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
indeed human nature always holds the world back from defeating poverty and starvation.
i had a look at the gadgets and couldn't spot anything that seemed new, barry is our resident expert on such things - maybe he can let us know what is good value.
I would be grateful - the Old Man is a gadet-a-holic and has just about everything he needs - a nightmare to buy for........
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Rather than spend money on frivolous gadgetry I think the best gift one can give anyone at Christmas is a charitable donation in their name to a cause close to their heart.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
I never send cards, on that thought. I always send a decent donation to UNICEF and email around saying so in the hope that others will do the same and save them sending me cards.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
I agree Ross.
Early October my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas, sighting the usual I'm impossible to buy for..... This year I asked for a horse adoption. I visit the local horse and donkey sanctuary when I can and also do my bit on open days etc. The money helps the sanctuary with animal feed, vets bills etc. Far more useful than a gadget that will live in the drawer or clothing that gets returned!
I like to give trees as presents; you can have a tree planted for someone from the Woodland Trust (I sometimes do this when a person dies too.)
I also have favourite charities that I always try to give a bit more to at this time of year where possible. As Bern says, life isn't fair.
Jeanne, that is lovely! We also do the tree planting thing, started it when the kids were born getting one each for them in their names and keeping them maintained. Ditto dolphin/panda/etc adoptions. Such a good alternative to the usual unwrapped-and-forgotten stuff. That and jewellery, of course - mustn't forget jewellery!!! That bit was added for the Old Man.........
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
what an altruistic membership we have here, quite impressive.
carrying on from berns comment on christmas cards i got used to my missus bringing home stacks becuse she worked for a major company, half the people she just vaguely knew.
i once worked for a large organisation for a year and was getting cards from people i didn't know so felt i had to send each a card back, this was repeated all over.
absolute farce, we could all have just sent a donation to a charity with the money.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
I send a card to my ex work friend who I havent seen in 25 years and they live in Lyminge!
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
courtesy of the independent on sunday, i thought this interesting in view of the comments made on this thread.
It's a little over a month until Christmas and next weekend is traditionally when the annual shopping frenzy kicks off. But not everyone will be hot-footing it to their nearest mega-mall, because next Saturday also marks the annual Buy Nothing Day. Launched in the mid-1990s by the Canada-based anti-capitalist publication Adbusters, it's an idea in which people are encouraged to stay out of the shops for 24 hours to make a small stand against rampant consumerism. And this year they are thinking bigger than ever.
The plan, says Adbusters co-founder Kalle Lasn, is to stretch it out and turn it into a Buy Nothing Christmas. He wants us to bypass the tinsel, the tree and the tat and go cold turkey on consumerism for the whole festive period. "We are," he says, "going to try and take back our Christmas season from the commercial forces that have hijacked it."
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
Tree planting is an excellent idea, especially at this time of year when it is best. Or plant some daffodils in a prominent place.
I think Christmas letters to absent friends are more important than cards, to keep in touch.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
You are right, Kath. One of my pet hates, though, is the development of the Round Robin letters that are clearly generic and sent, identical, to all "friends". I think some journalist has published a couple of of books full of them. They usually come full of minor boasts about the kids achievements and some money spent unwisely. Binned instantly.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
How about puting me in a big Christmas stocking and hang it over a ladys bed.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
planting a tree would be easier and a lot less hazardous vic.
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
As someone who writes the family christmas letter, its become an intergral part of the family and friends keepign in the loop, and we are proud of the information we impart.
This year it shall be advising we arent having christmas til Feb when my little brother is home from serving overseas. We are having a small day , and back to work on Boxing Day!
But i like my letters and my family and friends have started to do the same... saves writing the same thing in every card!
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
I agree with Jenni, I do send typed letters only because it is a lot quicker, but they are all individual letters to individual people.
I like, when I can, to give people presents they will USE - like a christmas cake or mince pies, or something else home made.
And I don't buy people calendars - we usually get so many we can't use them all, and it is a big waste of money !
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred