What are you buying for xmas gifts this year?

[Deja Q]

I am buying nothing and I think I'll not buy any more DVDs either.

Just base supplies.

I am making my own gifts this year. Not prepackaged stuff that only the distributing company that much richer in a currency that has a fraction of the faith once had. (Gates was right when he said in January that the dollar is going to fall...)

[texpatriot2004]

nothing nm

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I don't celebrate Christmas

but I do give gifts to my family, who are Christians. I am giving them a card that tells them I have donated money in their name to a non-profit that is working to help others.

But when I was Christian and gave a lot of gifts, I made them. It is a lot more personal, and means more to those who get the gift.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm making a donation to help Katrina/FEMA victims. nt

[Boredtodeath]

3. Nothing.

We'll be lucky if we can pay the rent.

I'm so damned depressed I could sit here and cry all day.

My 10 yr. old made out her Christmas list and I can't buy a thing on it.

[Binka]

12. That Isn't Right Send Me A PM Of Her List And An Address

Or just PM me if you would like some financial help. This is what I am doing for Christmas. Being Santa Binka!

[truebrit71]

16. Me too. PM me an address I can send a little something to...

I know that it sucks to be caught in the trap of the materialism of the season, but every kid knows that there's supposed to be pressies at this time of year.

I can't afford much, but if you let me know where I can send something I'd like to help.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. I PMed you. I want to help. PLEASE.

:hug:

[stop the bleeding]

22. Please PM me with a list and a an address and if other people

have already decided on things on the list please point that out as well.

This sux.

I was about 10-12 yrs old and my mother was single putting herself through nursing school to become an RN, and that year my sister and I knew we were not getting anything, shoot we were lucky to have Peanut Butter in the pantry. Anyway knowing what was happening my sister and I made each other those little friendship pins(maybe some people will remember those - early 80's)and wrapped up the pins in the newspaper and gave it to each other as gifts.

When I went to school after X=mas break I was so sad that I couldn't show and tell my gifts.

I swore up and down that if I was ever in position to keep that from happening to another kid I would do what I could.

So please send the list and address. Remember DU is family:grouphug:

[Individualist]

26. Please PM me

I'd love to buy your daughter a Christmas gift.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. With 2 kids now in daycare not much, it'll be a walmart xmas this year lol

[MADem]

5. Cash, cold, hard cash

Everyone needs it, so they can decide what they want to do with it. Saves on gift wrapping, shopping, all that nonsense.

I've gone to the 'long thin envelope' for the last few years, and it seems to be very well received!!

[napi21]

6. I'm working on that problem right now!

I've been searching the net for days trying to find some gifts my grown sons would like and something I can afford! My grandkids are easy. They still spend most of the year taking about all the things they want!

[wtbymark]

7. nothing

[Loonman]

8. I'm having a Kommunist Kristmas

Poorly manufactured toilet paper and tracts for all!

[Straight Shooter]

9. I'm making a CD of mellow Christmas music

and will give a copy to each of my friends a week before Christmas, along with a nice soy-based scented candle. Shopping for "just the right gift" is not an option due to time and money constraints.

[Blue Belle]

13. I'm making Christmas CDs too...

I made some last year and they were a big hit. People keep asking me to make a sequel... apparently they'd rather listen to Bing Crosby croon, than ingest an MSG laden Summer Sausage pack. :-)

[TlalocW]

Ebay, baby, all the way

Fortunately, I have a small side business (balloon twisting and magic) from which I can use money from to buy Christmas presents. I try to spread it out over the year (makes it more financially bearable), but for reasons unknown to me, I didn't get really started until November 1st, and according to my spreadsheet (yes, I keep a spreadsheet so I can see what percentage I'm done with, the average cost of a gift, etc.) I ended up 60% done in one day (plus the few things I bought during the year).

Ebay keeps me sane during the holidays; the only time I step inside a mall or toy store is if I'm entertaining there; money is going to individuals who probably need it and not a corporation; the stuff arrives at my door and even with shipping, it's probably cheaper than driving to a mall what with gas prices being so high; it leaves me more time to bake cookies; I can stick to a pretty tight budget and get things cheaper; and all my friends have such weird interests, Ebay is the only place to get stuff for them.

My rant being over, here's what I've gotten so far:

One of those Franklin Mint collector dishes. This one has all the Star Trek captains from the various shows on it.

A Dr Pepper bottle opener and cannister to catch the lids (you attach it to a wooden post or something - supposed to look antique-y even though it's new)

Boba Fett Christmas ornament

Gonzo from the Muppets Christmas Ornament

Apple blown glass Christman ornament

Wonder Woman Season II DVD

Hand carved/Scroll Sawed wooden plaque that has a friend's name carved on it next to a little wooden bulldog

A book of ferret postcards

TlalocW

[RumpusCat]

20. eBaying it here too!

It's a great way to find nifty unique gifts for really affordable, and it keeps you out of the big box retailers. I like the idea that my money is going to actual people. So far I've found fencing cufflinks, a reproduction 'THE BEATLES' bass drum head, vintage nudie postcards, and vintage 13-button US Navy sailor pants. Still looking for something for my mom, tho'!

[SmokingJacket]

10. Just books.

And I do some handmade things: jam, candles, knitted hats.

But from now unto enternity, if I buy a gift, it must be a book, amen.

Preferably a small press one, too.

[Lorien]

33. There's some good ones here:

http://www.percevalpress.com/home.html

[China_cat]

11. Not going to be any gifts here

not for the holiday nor for the 2 birthdays close to it (15th and 24th). Got up yesterday morning to a flooded living room. Christmas will be a new roof.

[Nabia2004]

14. nothing, broke

will send out xmass cards only

[Norquist Nemesis]

15. Can't afford to buy much at all here.

Still trying to figure a way to donate to DU and get my star back. *sniff*

I'll be making the majority of our gifts and using supplies I already have on hand. We're down to bare bones on all budget lines.

[Ian David]

18. This year, BUY BLUE for Christmas and starve the Republican beast!

This year, BUY BLUE for Christmas and starve the Republican beast!

Dear BuyBlue Supporter,
http://www.buyblue.org


It seems like only yesterday, but it was almost one year ago that BuyBlue launched on December 1, 2004 with our Blue Christmas list of products and services, and the campaign contributions of the companies that make them.
http://www.buyblue.org/history


If you are new to BuyBlue, you might be asking yourself what "Blue Christmas" is all about.

Retailers make a significant portion of their yearly sales during the Christmas season. At this time of the year, we have the greatest opportunity to vote for our values with our wallets and have retailers take notice. Last year, many of us did just that, and retailers and news organizations definitely took notice.
http://www.buyblue.org/media


Since last Christmas, our volunteer researchers have been hard at work collecting articles on even more companies, filling in their political contributions, and substantiating their ratings under our new categories: Labor and Human Rights, Environment, Employment Equality, Corporate and Social Responsibility, and Industry Practices (read our research methodology). In the past year Buyblue has become a shopping list of sorts and we are striving to make all our data even more accessible.
http://www.buyblue.org/methodology


This year we have put together a list of the companies most deserving of our patronage, based on all the factors we track on our site. The result is the Blue Christmas 2005 list, a sort of "Editor's List" of products and services we recommend. You can also find information on nearly 500 companies, representing more than 1100 brands and products.
http://www.buyblue.org/BlueChristmas


We've put together several print-friendly items to take along when you're shopping this holiday season. You'll find a one-page flyer in both color and black and white versions that you can take with you or share with friends and family. You'll also find a wallet-sized list that you can print from home.

Here's what you can do to participate:

1. Vote with your wallets: If you plan to buy gifts for your friends and family this year then consider using Our Blue Christmas 2005 list to do your shopping.
http://www.buyblue.org/BlueChristmas


2. Spread the word: Help get the message out by spreading the word about BuyBlue and the campaign itself. You can find several printable flyers that talk about BuyBlue in general and printable versions of the list below. If you are involved in a local progressive or democratic organization or union, or you just have a blog or post in forums, you can spread the word there.

3. Contact retailers: As you make your purchases this holiday season let retailers know why you have chosen to patronize them. For many of the retailers on our list we have contact information on file so you can send them an email from our "Take Action" page in each company profile.

With this list, we hope that you'll be able to put your money where your values are, and vote with your wallets. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or none of the above we hope you have a safe and enjoyable time with your friends and family this holiday season.

Downloads:


Full color PDF version
http://www.buyblue.org/files/bluexmas2005_color.pdf

Black and white PDF version
http://www.buyblue.org/files/bluexmas2005_bw.pdf


Wallet-size PDF version
http://www.buyblue.org/files/bluexmas2005wallet.pdf


General Flyer - Black & White (PDF)
http://www.buyblue.org/files/BB%20Flyer%20BW_0.pdf

General Flyer - Color (PDF)
http://www.buyblue.org/files/BB%20Flyer%20Color_0.pdf

Regards,

Raven Brooks
President and Chair, BuyBlue.org


Buy Blue relies on volunteers and contributions. Please consider making a secure contribution, funding our effort!

© 2005 BuyBlue.org | Visit our website: http://www.buyblue.org


BuyBlue.org Links:


Home Page
http://www.buyblue.org

A-Z Company Listing
http://www.buyblue.org/directory/alpha

Categorized Listing
http://www.buyblue.org/directory

Ranked Listing
http://www.buyblue.org/company/ranking

[murielm99]

19. I am making lots of Christmas cookies and giving them to

people, the same as always.

When family members bought my kids expensive presents that we could not afford to give them ourselves, we passed the cookies.

We have more money now. We buy more for immediate family. But I still give cookies to everyone else. My brother is diabetic. He gets special diabetic cookies. He is thrilled that someone thinks of doing that for him.

[missingpeace]

21. Check out Heifer International

Last year, we made a contribution to help buy a cow for a family. It felt great to me and, I'm sure, to the recipient family.

http://www.heifer.org


Heifer's Mission to End Hunger

Heifer envisions…
A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.


Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.

Heifer's strategy is…
To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.

Heifer’s History
This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for almost 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.

[I Have A Dream]

27. Yep, that's what I told my husband I want this year.

I do NOT need more STUFF.

[Blue_In_AK]

28. My late mother and father

used to donate in the names of each of us kids and grandkids pieces of a cow or a goat every year for Christmas through the heifer project. When my mother passed away in '99, one-fifth of her estate went to charity, a third of that going to the Heifer International. This is a great charity.

[Lorien]

30. I just illustrated a children's book for them

it's called "Together" and it comes out mid-December (picture book for young children). Proceeds benefit Heifer International's programs.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

23. For my immediate family

my kids, husband and grandchildren, I do my part to keep capitalism afloat. I used to make my gifts but do not have the time, energy, or frankly eyesight for the close work I prefer. So I buy most stuff online at ebay or overstock. I usually try and get one mega technology gift every year like camera, ipod or something and the rest is fun stuff. We don't spend much money during the year but we do at Christmas. We start celebrating on the 24th because my husband is German. We open our gifted Xmas morning. We are totally immoderate and absolutely hedonistic and we drink like fish (eggnog) and eat like piglets. We sing carols and watch T-2. (don't ask, it is a familiy tradition.) One year our dachshunds got onto the dinner table and lapped up all the eggnog and one of them howled until 4AM. It was a night of frantic phone calls to the emergency vet but all was well in the morning.

For my sisters I usually get something crafty from a local fair. And for my nieces and nephews I send them annoying genealogy updated family trees and stories and things but I put them in nice notebooks. I also do family picture presentations set to music.

For THEIR kids (all 8 of them) I write personalized children's books. If I have time I print and bind them myself or I have used Shutterfly's soft books for 12.99 each.

[Cats Against Frist]

24. Ebay retro Christmas, and knitted gifts

I'm buying everyone vintage gifts from Ebay. I got my friend a Holly Hobbie lunch box and used books, my dad a set of 1970s gamebirds thermoses, I'm getting my mom a retro watch, and knitting my brother a set of golf club covers. I have more people to buy for, and the only new stuff will probably be for my son. I also bought some scents from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, and I'm knitting some other stuff for my friends. Oh, and I'm buying each of my parents-in-common-law the best olive oil in the world.

My boyfriend and I are getting 400 sq. ft. of hardwood flooring, for each other, but that was going to happen anyway, so I don't have to feel like I'm living in a 1970s flophouse.

And I will, of course, be giving to charity, like I do, every year.

[noonwitch]

25. One good toy and $ store junk for each kid (neices and nephew)

They'll each get one good toy from Target, or a hardcover book. Then I'll buy a whole bunch of crap from the $ store and wrap it all individually.

I already bought my brother and his wife their huge can of Sander's chocolate syrup.

I am thinking about giving my sister and her husband a restaurant gift certificate and a free night of babysitting.

My mom will get her usual combination of books, cds and x-mas decorations, and will then complain that I don't love her enough to be creative. I have to buy her boyfriend something, and will probably get him some silly accessory from the Harley store. I'd like to give him a knuckle sandwich, as my father used to say.

[momisold]

29. Have you ever heard of a "rice" sock?

You take a tube sock and fill it with rice, the real cheap, long cooking rice. Tie a knot at the end. Then when you have an achy neck or shoulders, put it in the microwave for 2 minutes. It creates a warm, moist heat. The thing I like about it is that it is flexible so you can wrap it real tight around your neck, or arrange on your shoulders where it hurts. It's not stiff like some of the store-bought heat wraps I've seen.

My hubby used to laugh at me for using one at night while we watch TV. But lately he has really been stressed and I talked him into using it one night. Since then I can hardly get it away from him. So he said why didn't we make some for Christmas. Very cheap gift.

[Lorien]

31. Very little. Mostly just some books (some used), and my mom is getting my

old digital camera. We've been giving one another things like gift cards for groceries and other horribly practical items.

[flordehinojos]

32. nothing.

[shanti]

34. money and gift certificates

that's it. i HATE shopping this time of year.

[Pastiche423]

35. Nothing

I don't do xmas.