In a recently published Scholars Speak piece I ask what a meaningful Christmas gift might be. Do we really need more stuff? Or, could our gift giving express a deeper value of benevolence and care for others, while at the same time honoring those we love?
America is certainly experiencing some hard economic times this holiday season, but let's not forget about those who have so much less. If you make $50,000 a year, you're in the top 1% of the wealthiest people on the planet. At $34,000 you're in the top 5%, and at $25,000 (just above the poverty level for a family of four in the U.S.) you're in the top 10% of the globe's richest. Almost half of the world lives on less than $2.50 a day.
How would we spend money this Christmas if we took these stats seriously? As part of the 99%, many of us could do more.
Here is a teaser for my article:
August. That was the month I saw Christmas decorations appear in my favorite big-box superstore, along with aisles of children’s toys waiting to be snatched up in the coming shopping frenzy. I quickly snapped a picture of the surreal landscape and posted it to Facebook with the caption “Really?” and then headed back to my car through the 105-degree heat.
Retailers have perfected their Christmas marketing strategies. They begin their planning a year in advance, ordering merchandise, shipping stock to warehouses and testing product desirability. The trend to bring larger quantities of fewer items into store inventories earlier and earlier enables vendors to get a jump on competitors. These savvy merchants have turned shopping into a science as they fiercely contend for the half-trillion dollars that Americans will spend on gift giving this holiday season.
Click here for the full piece.
Full-time professor, part-time pastor, husband, father of two small boys, news writer for @U2 (atu2.com), just trying to find my way in a new world.
I agree wholeheartedly with your message, with small quibble. As one living below the poverty line, statistics like the ones you quoted only make me feel bad. The reality of my life is that I live in America and it costs a lot more to live in America than it does in some countries. Even for a simple life with just the basics. So while we would like to do more for the worlds poor, and for those are more more poor that we are in this country, it really isn't going to happen. We will be lucky to keep food on the table and buy a few presents for the kids. Not every American is greedy and materialistic, some of us are just trying to get by.
Posted by: Kim Quinn | October 25, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Kim, a wonderful point. Thanks for the reminder. And this, of course, is the reason so many are protesting in the various "Occupy" movements.
And for what it's worth, I experience the Quinn family as one of the most giving families I know. Thanks for leading the way in service and obedience.
Tim
Posted by: Tim | October 25, 2011 at 11:16 AM