Freeconomy Blog
Wed
17 Dec
Buy Nothing Christmas...
| 5 comments |
Up to last week I assumed I wouldn’t be going home to see my folks this Christmas; the problem being a combination of me not being able to use money and a rather large body of water between the UK and Ireland. Which I was a bit sad about as I don’t get to see them enough these days.
A few years ago I took a vow never to fly again, and this has hindered not only my ability to see them, but has also shortened the time I get to spend with them when I am actually there. It tugs a bit at my heart but if we are serious about respecting the planet those are the kind of tough decisions we are going to have to make in the future.
Anyway that all changed as I got a call from a
TV programme in Ireland who wanted me to come on their show to talk about spending Christmas and the rest of the year with no money. Part of me thought they should just ask one of the poor homeless people that, only for the work of people like the Simon Community, would spend the festive period in a lot worse of a position than me; there’s a big difference between voluntary simplicity and poverty. One is chosen and you’re passionate about it despite the sometimes tough realities of it, the other is just a horrific place to be both mentally and physically.
I am always in two minds though about whether I should do TV work or not. I’m not a fan of the television for a number of reasons on a variety of levels. So I sometimes feel like a hypocrite when doing it. The reason I do decide to do it though is because I am sick of preaching just to the semi-converted. It’s time to reach out to more people, and sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got. It’s also an incredible way of spreading new ideas really fast, the problem coming when those ideas are destructive.
I think they were a bit surprised when I turned down their offer of a free flight and train home, however. This year isn’t about living for free – it’s about living with less and building relationships with the earth and its people. I decided I was going to hitch home, something of a lost art in Ireland, and all I actually needed was for them to get me across on the overnight ferry, something they sorted out with the company involved. .
So I woke up this morning realising I must prepare for my 600 mile hitch without money. I hadn’t washed my clothes since I started the year, partially due to the fact that it has now become a mammoth task. Before I could even begin I had to make my own soap. For this I first had to haul some waste wood 28km on the back of the bike to make a fire with. Next I had to fire up the rocket stove to boil some water, in which I stuck some nuts that (genuinely!) work really well for washing clothes when they are cooked – I got the nuts from an ecological book shop that was forced to close down because of the emergence of Amazon and people’s desire for ‘cheap’ books. Once the nuts were cooked for half an hour, I had some detergent.
As I don’t have any way of heating water on a large scale yet (soon I want to convert it to a hot tub), I then had to stick the clothes and detergent in a bath tub with cold water, scrub for 40 mins, then rinse for 20 mins, then wring with my hands before hanging out to dry.
Person hours required to wash and dry clothes with money: 10mins
Person hours required to wash and dry clothes without money: 2hrs 25mins
It sounds like a nightmare, but it really isn’t; it’s a reality about twenty per cent of the world’s population. It is time consuming, but I’d rather consume my time doing that than have it consumed watching Big Brother. And if we want to be truly sustainable in the long term, I really believe that this is the level we will need to go to on all fronts. If I didn’t I wouldn’t put myself to so much trouble.
I’m also really looking forward to seeing my nephews when I get home. It feels weird being their uncle and not bringing them home anything for Christmas; I’ll be the only one not giving them something, and I still feel a little bit awkward about that. We’re made to feel bad at this time of year if we don’t consume the earth’s resources. But the kindest thing you can do for your loved ones this Christmas is buy them absolutely nothing. The likelihood is that anyone who is reading this blog doesn’t actually need anything. You are putting your child’s future at risk if you do. If you want to hear an absolutely brilliant song on this whole subject I’d really recommend you listen to Seize the Day’s 'Because we love our children...’
If you do buy them ‘something’ this Christmas you are doing them a terrible disservice in the long term, as much as they will love you for it now. Don’t get me wrong it is still a very kind and beautifully intentioned act; it’s just a very short term sort of caring. But again it’s a tough choice, and getting someone a present doesn’t make you a ‘bad’ person! Do what you think is best for your kids long term and then celebrate whatever it is you decide to do. Another alternative is to donate money to people like the Simon Community, many of whom sacrifice a special day with their loved ones so that those less privileged can actually spend the day with some loving and caring people around.
And remember, Kindness is like a dog; it’s not just for Christmas!
THE FREECONOMY BLOG is written by Mark Boyle, founder of the Freeconomy Community. If you want to respond, debate or ask questions, please just comment below; you will have to sign in first.
Comment on this Post:
Des Troy comments ...
Take back a story Mark. It costs nothing and can be one of the most lasting and profound gifts anyone can give you. Consider the story of Jesus; whether you believe it or not, you cannot deny the impact this story has made on the world.
anuj comments ...
well mark,
i think that u can gift happiness to your nephews by giving them something a little more different than a plastic toy.There are things which can be found as much delightful as toys and in the long term.Ive read that you live in the wilderness,im sure you'll find something.
Vicky Cottrell comments ...
Give them the most precious gift, TIME. Spend some time with them & they will know that you love & value them. I don't know how old they are but: take them on a walk and share some of your knowledge with them, teach them to build a fire, play a game with them, read or tell them stories. They will remember & keep this far longer then anything bought in a shop. You will be adding to their sense of self worth..priceless.
Kieron comments ...
I agree with the other posts, you can "give" your nephews something without spending money / destroying the plannet. Take them to the local park and spend time with them there. Tell them stories, teach them something, probably just reading the books they already have would mean a lot to them.
The making things idea is really good, perhaps you can teach them to make something, that combines the "making", "teaching" and "time" ideas.
Your clothes washing solution sounds nuts!
