I'm giving cash this Christmas

I wonder how it would affect businesses if people just gave cash instead of shopping? We don't have a lot of power against big corporations other than keeping a tight hold on our pocketbooks. After all, they decided to sit on their cash instead of investing in America, so what if we just turned the tables on them? I know it would hurt a lot of small businesses, too, but how else can we fight back against the greed of corporations other than refusing to buy their goods and services?

it usually ends up going for drugs

j/k, it usually ends up going for bills and food.

I'd rather they pay off some debt than buy them some stuff they won't use or like.

but that you do like and would use. Just to offer an alternative POV. I guess that only applies to people like me, who are poor enough that there are things that they really could use that they're doing without. Most people who are able to get the stuff they want/need but are short on cash would probably be really happy with that.

And I can always use cash, too, of course, I really, really don't have enough, but it's kind of a bummer just handing it right over for bills and stuff when you get it.

$50 for Christmas and received an effusive thank you note saying that the $50 had allowed her to renew her car registration and thus be able to keep taking the temp jobs that were her lifeline.

people with special skills could volunteer to do or make something.

I like to knit and crochet, so I've made lots of gifts for people

:)


Other ideas...rides for a year for people without cars or who can't drive

Cook dinner for someone once a week/once a month for a year

Offer to do cleaning once a month for a year

Dog walking...babysitting...

So many great things...all it takes is some creative thought...

:)

I usually ask people what they want or need. A couple of things, so there's a choice and they won't know exactly what they'll get.

I like when they do the same for me.


Also...as far as people not wanting to support big businesses and the like...

If the people you're giving money to use it for paying bills, what if they're paying off credit card bills? Like...Bank of America...

What if they use the cash to buy stuff from China? Or some company that uses sweat shop/child labor?


Isn't most of it going to end up going into the corporate system anyway at some point?

I don't see where there's any way for people to win on this... :shrug:

There are so many crafters there that are trying to make a few extra dollars. Also keep your eyes open for DUers in the marketplace! We have people selling cool things here. Or buy local and make gifts. A lot of people are getting home made from me this year. It's not about affordability . . . It's about people loving the cookie making jars last year, the soup making jars etc etc, the people I surround myself with tend to appreciate it morbthan crap bought at a store you know? And my niece asked me to knit her another sweater. I just got back from a locally owned knitting, crocheting, needle point shop in Princeton with sweater supplies!

I figure if the kid wants to buy some piece of cheap Chinese crap that the Media tells her her life has no meaning without, fine.

I also figure if she wants to eat or keep the lights on with it, that's great, too.

You mean you're actually going to have enough money to give Christmas presents this year? You're my hero!

-- Mal

Or any other holiday. One day I finally realized it's all hype and manipulation and disguised as jolly cheer, thankfulness and the Resurrection. All those things can be celebrated, or not, by people without feeling obligated to spend money they don't have. I put that guilt trip down and never looked back. Life is much less stressful when you don't have to buy useless presents or deal with dysfunctional relatives or worship rabbits.

It's actually a freeing act.

crapitalism + santa won the war on christmas.

need. No tiresome exchanges. I have also talked my family into using newspaper as wrapping. Greener and less expensive.

They love it, as they can shop after Christmas and take advantage of the sales. Thus, they get more for the money and I don't have to think up ideas or wrap.

We DO have a gift exchange or grab bag where you can either keep your gift or select someone else's gift until everyone has chosen. It gets pretty wild before the night is over and everyone has a lot of fun. We have a lower limit of $15, but no higher limit.

No consumer spending = no demand for production = no jobs. And as you yourself seem to be aware, it would fuck over small businesses, not big businesses.

Life isn't as simple as "Buying things bad. Down with capitalism."

Pretty good chance they'll buy some consumer goods with it.

(Yes, groceries count!)


Using increasingly limited gift budgets as cash to give loved ones the choice of what they need/want most isn't screwing anyone. It's going back to the original spirit of A GIFT, not a status marker or attempt to impress.

stuff, or money, do it randomly. It's really a lot of fun. Done anonymously for people with real needs, it's even more enjoyable.

I haven't been able to contribute to the consumer holiday economy in any significant way; haven't received a holiday bonus since '06. But honestly--these days if I had it to give, I would rather give cash. I love picking out gifts, but I know I have friends who have food-insecurity or phone-bill-insecurity or rent-insecurity and are embarrassed to say so. I know this because their ways of avoiding talking about it are the same as mine. I know all too well how much the constant anxiety and stress of that shit wears your life away, and if I had enough money to give anyone I cared about a week or a month's respite from that worry, that would be a holiday gift I would be overjoyed to give.

It's also one I would dearly love to receive, but I don't think many people I know have the money to spare for that for me, so I don't expect it.

Donate money to charity in their name.