People seem to be forgetting what Christmas is really all about; getting coOoOozeeeee with our loved ones. To most of us, it’s not really about Christ which could leave you to wonder we’re all going so crazy every December? Well, let’s make sure we don’t make it all about the new religion: cOnSuMeRiSm.
When I look at people with a sparkle in my eye and drool on my chin to ask, ‘Excited for Christmas?’ or ‘Have you got The Christmas Spirit yet?’ Their answer usually revolves around one thing: PRESENTS! ‘I don’t have anything yet!’ or ‘God, I still haven’t started my Christmas shopping!’ Similarly, I’m always kind of well….bored of the question: ‘Have you got all your Christmas shopping yet?’
No guys! No, this is not the Christmas Spirit. The Christmas Spirit is that excitement in your belly that only comes once a year! With the distant chant of imaginary carol singers, snowflakes gracefully landing on your nose, the ring of Santa’s bells (or is that just the coke ad you hear?), chocolates, chocolates, chocolates and fluffy socks, movies and board games and fake nails and wine, the scent of Christmas trees and the waft of brussel sprouts. That last one might just be me but The Christmas Spirit is a subjective thing, don’t shame me.
If that’s too abstract, I think that Christmas is a much needed holiday in the middle of a long cold Winter that gives us an excuse to get together with loved ones and take it easy. It’s a time to reach out to people, a time to show people you love them and also a time to get creative with cooking, decorating and yes, gifts.
People who work in retail get a hard time of it, I’ve been there. Can we please boycott shopping on Christmas Eve or especially Stephen’s Day? You should be chilling out at home on Stephen’s Day not running into town to catch the sales and forcing retail workers to leave their families after only a day of festivity. I know shopping can give you an exhilarating high but so does chocolate and binge-watching, and these are cruelty-free alternatives.
Also, hospital/nursing home/call center staff (and anyone else working Christmas.):
To really get you in the Christmas spirit I will list some initiatives and appeals that you and your friends can get involved with over the next couple of weeks. But if shopping is what’s getting you down I think you need to reassess your situation.
So what is all this stress about? I think Martin Lewis summed it up well in an article for The Telegraph: ‘the enforced obligation to waste money on tat we can’t afford, for people who won’t use it. Festive gift-giving has lost its point, risks doing more harm than good, mis-teaches our children about values and kills the joy of anticipation of what should be a joyous time.’
He suggests that the greatest gift we can give people is to tell them we don’t want a present this year, to release them from the commitment altogether. I do agree that we should keep present buying to immediate family or besties or loverrrrrs. Or else…..Kris Kindles! A great way to minimise your shopping and its fun. I usually only buy two or three Christmas gifts.
No really, I’m lucky that my friends and family don’t lay on too much pressure. My family and I do Kris Kindle every year. I usually get something for my Mam on top of that because she, you know, along with my Dad, WAS SANTA. My Dad lives up to the stereotype in being the most difficult person to buy for. Which rather than annoy me, it’s actually something I respect. His disinclination towards materialism is definitely something that rubbed off on me. I think this year I’ll make him a card because that will mean a lot more to him than socks. And maybe some chocolate or wine to help him get coooozeeeee. I will also get my boyfriend a present because I love to spoil him. (And I want him to spoil me, I didn’t say I have a total aversion to materialism.)
You can easily do your Kris Kindles online using email so you don’t have to get everyone together same time/same place and draw names about 17 times until Susan from accounting stops picking her own name out of the hat.
If you have no clue what your Kris Kindle recipient or anyone your buying for would like ask another family member or friend. As Christmas Spirit advocate I give you permission to ask and potentially spoil Kris Kindle over panicking and buying them a jar of Nutella with their name on it for €6. Just don’t ask Susan from accountants, she’s a fool.
If you do open up and confide in someone, be prepared that they may not share back. They could suddenly get all cryptic and honorable like breaking the Secret Santa will ruin Christmas itself and you’ll begin to question why you’re even friends with this dry shite. Then Christmas rolls around and there they are handing you a jar of Nutella with your name on it and it warms your heart because it really is the thought that counts. (And now you can eat Nutella from a jar with your name on it, imagine if you could go back in time and tell 90s-kid-you that this would be your futur.)
Some of the appeals I’m listing below could be a great alternative to picking up something random up just for the sake of it, why not donate to a good cause in their name instead. I also think they’re a lovely idea to do with your boyfriend/girlfriend/a parent/friend or group of friends to really get into that Christmas spirit! (Please do get in touch if you know of any Christmas appeals I should add to my list.)
Friends helping friends are out two nights a week on Westmorland street. They feed up to 250 people per night and also engage with homeless families in hotels and B&Bs. This year they are asking for backpacks rather than shoeboxes, this means the homeless will have something to carry their belongings in. Bags should include a hat, scarf, gloves, chocolate, toiletries, a Christmas card and a voucher for any fast food place that can maybe be used on Christmas day. Drop off points are in Ballymun, City Center, Blanchardstown, and Finglas. Please get in touch on their Facebook page for addresses.
ICHH is a non-profit organisation set up to help Dublin’s homeless. Some of you may have seen the Fill A Luas initiative last week. It’s not too late to help out, ICHH are still accepting shoeboxes at a number of locations. Find your local drop off point on their Facebook page. Boxes can include hats, scarves, gloves, underwear, socks, toiletries (no aerosols, perfumes, aftershaves, mouthwash or hand sanitizers), a Christmas card, chocolate.
RAMSI Solidarity Winter Dinner
Refugee and Migrant Solidarity Ireland hold monthly dinners at Jigsaw to challenge the racism and isolation of Direct Provision centers. For a few hours, people who have migrated to Ireland and local people come together to share a meal in friendship and solidarity. The Winter dinner is this Saturday at 1.30. Rather than the chaos of Christmas shopping why not pop into Jigsaw for some cheer? Check out the event here. It’s €5 per plate if you have less that’s fine if you have more then great! You can also donate to fund people’s travel costs to the dinner from centers around the country on their go fund it here.
OUR TABLE creates a space where food breaks down barriers and people feel connected, included and appreciated. Similarly to RAMSI, they are hosting a dinner for 100 people from Direct Provision this Saturday. If you would like to donate a gift, why not get in touch through their Facebook page.
ALONE’s Befriending Service provides companionship for isolated older people. While it will be too late to volunteer for Christmas as the application process takes a couple of months, I thought it would be worth mentioning as I’m sure there are some of you thinking of older people who might be lonely this Christmas. It only takes a second to apply so why not start now and bring that Christmas Spirit into the New Year.
At Oxfam, online and in stores, you can buy cards that correspond to different donations for those in poverty. They range from €10, which will provide people with a stove for warmth and a way to cook. €20 will provide babies with emergency aid. Or for €52 you can feed six families. A great tried and tested Dad gift.
Next, I would like to encourage you to check out what your local artists, designers, and small businesses have to offer. There are so many creative people in Ireland making meaningful and thoughtful gifts, why settle for lining the pockets of overseas CEOs? I’m not totally against presents just against buying 3 for 2 bath gift sets from Boots that you can wrap and eenie meenie miney mo between your sister-in-law, granny and niece. I’ve put out a call out to friends and family as well as kept an eye out myself for special gifts provided by special people. (Again if anyone would like to be included or knows anyone who should be, get in touch!)
Brian Mc Namara is a music producer and sound designer who recently released ‘Aran Tides’, a collection of music, field recordings, and photographs made on the Aran Islands during the summer of 2018. Available as a digital download or a physical cassette and photo zine on brianmcnamara.bandcamp.com.
Moyo did not want the life of Direct Provision to pin her down and decided to start a project that could be therapeutic and help her see the beauty of life again. Instead of seeing time go down the drain, learning new skills was the best thing that she could do. And so ‘Busy fingers Diaries’ was born, specialising in beautiful Ankara bags, jumpers and accessories. To shop, check out Busy Fingers Diaries Facebook page and send a message to purchase.
Dave Lordan, Ireland’s best known literary outsider, a renowned multimedia creator & community educator, has set up a new online store selling online courses, original poetry & story, & handwritten poetry gifts. Best value are the Creative Writing Now online course at just €30 (perfect for anyone creative), the new album of soundscaped Yeats poems Into The Twilight at just €12 (great for relatives & far-away friends!) & the Indie hit audiobook The Dead Friends about drugs, demons, death, & Dunmanway (choice for anyone into underground & rebel lit).
James Sheridan makes dark art that is eerily captivating.
He is currently selling it in the form of prints, apparel and other bits under the alias deadxactress.
Check out his online shop at:
www.redbubble.com/people/deadactress/shop
Follow him on Instagram at:
www.instagram.com/deadxactress
Mark finn is an illustrator currently based in Berlin who makes paintings and digital drawings of characters monsters / and graffiti based work you can get his work at: https://markfinnillustration.bigcartel.com
Rosie O’Mahony
Rosie O’Mahony is a recent NCAD graduate, and Printmaker based in Dublin. Her work mixes a thoughtful aesthetic and emotion with traditional etching techniques. Prints are available from The Printmakers Gallery on Drury st. or by personal request from the artist at romshony96@gmail.com.
Sarah Iannucci, bender of wires into all things jewelry, with a focus on creating abstract wire faces, hands, plants, and other unique pieces into earrings. You can check out her range on her Instagram @sm_iannucci or her Etsy shop here.
Yasmin illustrates worryingly relateable gremlins with even more relatable captions. You can get her designs for yourself on T-Shirts, hoodies or prints in her Big Cartel store here.
Yesterday’s Vision has an array of unique vintage and pre-owned fashions offered in the heart of Galway.
Mary Baker sources the finest selection of products to accommodate anyone’s personal style within a variety of price points.
http://www.yesterdaysvision.ie/
https://www.instagram.com/yesterdays_vision/
This isn’t something you can buy. I know, I’m sorry but don’t worry it is a fiver for all you big spenders out there. If you want to check out some of the most surreal and softhearted artists Dublin has to offer come down to Tengu on Thursday 20th for:
“A collection of stories, both tragic and whimsical, have been carefully curated to put yer baubles to the testicle. Brought to you by a multi-disciplinary collective of degenerate artists in their time of seasonal need, ‘Christmas is Ruined’ is a living, writhing, aching and tumbling picture of Christmas.”
TAME 
Reblogged this on Dave Lordan Creativity.
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