Conspicuous waste part 2

Hello again consumers! My little cousin came over today and an obvious topic for this time of year came up. Christmas. He was eager to see our Christmas tree and to compare his one to ours. He looked in both rooms downstairs - the dining room and living room but found no tree. Even before I could ask him what he was looking for, he asked "where is your Christmas tree?" I told him we do not have one. In total disbelief, he shouted "can't you afford one!!!?" The funny thing being, we usually do put up a tree and we have been for years now. No one has got around to putting it up just yet but my cousin's little rant made me think. So, here are my thoughts.

Why do I need a tree? I personally do not celebrate Christmas so why should I put up a tree? Why do I need to join in and waste electricity lighting up fairy lights and find myself or family buying more decorations just to join in with the Christmas spirit? I mean, Christmas is a religious occasion that marks the birth of Jesus. Why are we non-Christians are celebrating Christmas too? Don't get me wrong, I am all for celebrating Christmas. Christians should continue to celebrate joyfully the coming of Christ in all ways possible, but for us non-believers, it really is unnecessary consumption in a big way. Think about all those trees that are cut around this time of year, the amount of paper and card that is used on Christmas cards, all the electricity used to light up trees in homes, all those lamp posts out on the streets, lights and displays in shops and not to forget the huge tree’s that are lit up in town centres. What about the excessive eating and drinking done in the build to Christmas and not to mention all the extra plastic and cardboard that is used in superstores on food and presents.

Thinking about it, I can recall times when growing up as a child, we would go around comparing our tree's too. "Oh, our tree is bigger, our tree has more lights..." and before you know it, they've gone and bought a bigger tree and put it up with extra lights and decorations. I know, I know! – some of these tree's can be reused year after year but what happens when you want a bigger one or one that is more contemporary that comes in black or purple? Since when have tree's been black anyway? Or purple! So much unnecessary consumption! It's not just the Christmas tree but all the other things we do and buy to keep ourselves up to date. Think about all the mobile phones, cars, laptops, clothes etc we buy even though our old ones are still good and working. Isn't it crazy? Why would you not keep what is still working? Instead, we find ourselves queing up at O2 the night before the latest iphone comes out.

I hope I'm not sounding too much like a Scrooge! My point is you’re just simply expected to join in with consumption. If you don't consume what everyone else is consuming be it Christmas or not, you must be "cheap" or "behind in time".