Buy Handmade!
Face it folks, you can’t knit everyone’s gift this holiday season. And you probably don’t want to. So, you’ll end up buying some gifts.
Now, if you’ve known me for awhile, you may have heard the story of the year my Mom and I decided to try and combat Christmas consumerism by not doing gifts. My only compromise was that I decided to make gifts for my close friends and family. We put the word out early on that we didn’t want to contribute to the rampant consumer machine, etc. We even told people to spend the money instead on donations to a local public radio station. Total failure. Awkwardness all around as we opened gifts we didn’t really want (except from Erika who bought me lovely gifts). Nobody got it because everyone likes presents! And I’ve accepted that I too love gifts.
So, now, as I contemplate how to fight the big-box-ification of Christmas, I figure the best thing to do is buy fair trade, buy local, and buy handmade.
A great opportunity for those of you in the DC area is coming up soon. The first ever Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market will be December 1 at Big Bear Cafe. Big Bear is an adorable coffee shop at First and R Street NW. I will not be vending because I have SO many other orders to fill, but I’ll definitely be there buying gifts, hanging out, and getting inspiration for new colors. It’s being organized in part by the wonderful and talented Raina of goshdarnknit, so check out her site for more info.
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