Kindness & Commercialism

Just to show that human kindness during the Holidays isn't all gone, here are some nice stories about the Salvation Army receiving large monetary donations during this year's shopping season.

Even though businesses are trying to stop them from ringing bells or just outright banning them from the fronts of their stores, it's nice to know that people still contribute to their cause.

Man Drops $1000 Into Red Kettle
Rare & Unusual Coins Find Their Way To Salvation Army
Man Gives $3100 To Salvation Army


(kinda makes my meager $5 not seem worth it, but every little bit counts)


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And on the other end of the spectrum, from my mom's side of the Puget Sound....
Man Nails Santa Onto Cross to Protest Commercialism


I have to agree with how bad it's gotten in regards to retailers and the Christmas shopping season. I got no fewer than 5 coupons from one particular dept. store telling me to "save an extra XX% on two days only sale!". They kept coming one right after another. And not only from them, but other stores that have me on their list sent me "Holiday Greetings... with a chance to save" if I graced their doors on a particular day while shopping.


One year, Hotness & I agreed to not get ANY gifts for each other at Christmas.
That was a rather awkward year. We got up in the morning and then looked at each other and said "Well, what do you want to do?"
We went for a drive. But, since nothing was open there wasn't much to do. So we came home and watched a movie.

We decided we'd buy gifts for Christmas, but never to make it the focus of our Holiday and try not to patronize businesses that make their employees work on Christmas. (Are you listening movie theaters, chain-restaraunts, and grocery stores?)
Everyone should have a chance to spend with loved ones (be they family, friends, or strangers) without having having to work for just one day, irregardless of their personal beliefs.


The Christmas shopping season should be a very short, frenzied thing. Not something that is dragged out as long as a buck can be milked. I've been to some places and seen Christmas decorations up and displays ready before summer is even over with. It's ridiculous.

Anyway, I don't mean to preach and I really do enjoy shopping.
It's just... when it comes to Christmas, can't we just be happy for what we have and not for what we can get?


"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" -- Theodor Seuss Geisel