Well, another holiday season is unwinding, people are rushing into malls to get even more things they don't need and others are left with empty boxes and hangovers. I always find holidays to be a mix of stress and contentment. The stress and contentment are both caused by spending time with my family. This year we had the whole one side of the family together, so it was quite stressful. The worst that happened, however, was that my brother in-law's grandmother had a stroke on xmas eve. It has definitely been a holiday of sadness as well as happiness. I did get to see my parents for the first time in months and I had a fantastic time with my partner's family.
My partner and I tried to buy as little new items for gifts as possible. About 90% of our purchases were second hand or hand-made. We did this to opt out of the consumerism of the holiday season, to spare those laborers in sweatshops just a little bit. I know it does not make a huge difference but it is better than blindly participating.
As I get older I realize that the holidays are special for the children in my family and a great opportunity to receive needed items like linens, kitchen stuff and books. My partner got me another Chomsky book, "Radical Priorities", sweet right? I got him some Steinbeck novels and comedic second hand DVDs. It was a good time. I love receiving gifts that are political, what else could this feminist ask for?
Oh, right...peace and an end to oppression.
Too bad Santa doesn't give a shit about world peace.
I hope you all had a great holiday, whether you celebrate anything or not.
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