One of the challenges to anticipation is forgetfulness. As we look ahead to Christmas, we have a tendency to forget what happened last year in hopes that this year will be right or better or more.
I'll start our 2007 advent calendar-blog on December 1. During this week, I'll be providing some preparatory thoughts.
Last December 26th we walked around our neighborhood and looked at the remnants of Christmas. By looking at what comes after, we can think about what we might change so the after is different this year.
November 25, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Jon: Great stuff. In a way I’m looking forward to being out of the country, in India, this holiday season. There will certainly be less expectations about Christmas and all the busyness that comes with family and friends, and neighbours. Looking forward, to the holiday in another culture will certainly have our thinking out of the box or what ever other device our thinking is currently held within.
November 25, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Man. I would LOVE to figure out a way to reduce the ever-spiraling-upwards waste of Christmas. It’s hard to have kids and *not* overdo it gift-wise. And it seems darn near impossible to break with traditions and limit the garbage production.
At LEAST consider separating recyclables from pure garbage when it comes to giftwrap and boxes!
I’m now officially depressed.
November 30, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I think “Angel What-Nots” would be a great name for a band!
Aside from that, I agree that there is just too much “stuff” associated with Christmas. We try to do our part, we keep the same decorations every year and use cloth bags instead of wrapping paper, so our stuff at least gains a patina of tradition. But this video gives me an idea: how awesome would it be to have a Stone Soup Christmas Party? Don’t decorate, don’t buy food, don’t do anything special. Just invite people to bring themselves and maybe one thing from their own home that means Christmas to them. My guess is it would end up being a great party, and more about the holiday than the stuff.