Christmas - shopping, gifts and such

Ha, I've found someone who is more of a Christmas Eve party pooper than myself.

From today's Straits Times:

'I think I've fallen out of love with shopping'
Is mindless consumerism all there is to being a Singaporean? I hope not
By Tessa Wong

'TIS not the season to be thrifty, and these past few weekends, I have been joining my fellow Singaporeans in the annual ritual of Christmas shopping on Orchard Road.

But while most are savouring the headlong plunge into this festive orgy of consumerism, I have been feeling repulsed by its excesses. Worse, I think I have fallen out of love with our national hobby.

I am not sure how it happened.

After all, I have always been a steadfast sucker for Orchard Road at Christmas, and not just because of the traditional season for great bargains.

Something about its bright lights, rain-slicked streets, and tinselled glamour had always entranced me. I had always found the bustle of the crowd romantic and convivial, even while getting painfully elbowed in the ribs by over-zealous aunties rummaging around Tangs' handbag section.

This year, after several frustrating shopping expeditions, I was consumed by a wave of irrational hatred of all things shopping - the baying, jostling crowds spending mindlessly, the over-the-top decorations and sale promotions aimed at coaxing every last dollar from shoppers.

The whole spectacle just seems crass, tawdry and manipulative.

But I wonder if betraying my shopaholic roots means I have somehow betrayed my national identity too.

After all, bragging about our love for snagging great bargains is part of our national psyche; so much so that we have elevated it to a kind of spiritual experience.

I used to feel strangely patriotic doing Christmas shopping on Orchard Road - it almost felt like I was doing my duty as a citizen, by helping to boost my country's economy while communing with my fellow Singaporeans.

But I have since realised that shopping per se is just a worthless vessel of my cultural identity.
Even if I am buying gifts for others, how does purchasing products make me a better, truer Singaporean? Why should I be proud of a love-to-shop and love-to-eat mentality? Is wanton consumerism and gluttony all I am capable of as a Singaporean?

I seriously hope not.

So this Christmas, I am trying something new.

I will still accept gifts because I do not want to insult anyone by refusing. But I will estimate the cost of each one, and donate that amount to charity. The same goes for presents I have already bought.

I have also been raiding my home for items to donate to the less fortunate, along with corporate gifts I have received. Most importantly, I have vowed to cut down on shopping for non-essentials by half next year.

If less is more, then I hope to make room for an abundant life, free of clutter, in the coming year.

Wish me luck.

Hmmm... wonder what got into the poor girl. She actually sounds bitter.

Aiyah, if people want to go and jostle at Orchard Road, let them. If you don't like it, then just don't go, lah.

Well, I will say what I said before again. It doesn't really make sense to 'celebrate' Christmas in such a big, secular way. It's not even part of our tradition (as it is in some western societies). This year, there seems to be a concerted effort by sales staff in different places to wish customers 'Merry Christmas!' I was wished this at Popular and Fairprice today. I just found it weird to hear this from people to whom Christmas doesn't mean much. Were they instructed to do this?

Anyway, I wonder how many of our friends and relatives jostled in shops to buy us toiletry sets, towel sets, coffee mug sets, decorative items or chocolates and other assorted edibles. My sister is already trying to pan off some toiletries she received to me, ha ha...

Peace and blessings to all.