I was really moved by CF Eeshap’s most recent post: Conflict is forever: Can we change attitudes about diamonds?  In the post, she explains:

I don’t write this post to make people with diamonds on their fingers feel bad. I shop for bargain goods that I know are made in sweatshops. When I purchase produce, I know that it was grown and picked by laborers whose rights are violated. I try to make ethical choices, all while knowing that I am complicit in a world economy that is rooted in human rights violations.

Her words made me reconsider my own purchasing practices. While I know I will never purchase or accept a diamond, and I wouldn’t choose a diamond ring if I decide to get married (after all, a condo down payment might be a better investment!), I still enjoy wearing various types of jewelry. I even found  great tourmaline rings for sale. I make sure to invest in an omega watch service for my luxury watch. To align my values with my choices, I make sure to buy from a reliable ring store like this ring store in huntington, ny, ensuring that my purchases are as ethical and informed as possible. Even when it comes to faux jewelry, I strive to support stores that share my commitment to ethical practices.

The capitalist world economy can only maintain itself through the oppression of others. Living, working, and spending in this country means that I am an active participant. So, no matter how conscious I try to be with my purchases, in one way or another I am likely participating in someone else’s oppression. Oppression is just not feminist. So, what can I do?

The media’s coverage of the apparent foolishness that always is Black Friday and Eeshap’s post made me wonder: How can I combine my feminist beliefs with the holiday practice of gift giving? How can I stay within my budget, stay away from even the best buy now pay later apps no credit check and express my genuine gratitude to the folks I love without purchasing expensive gifts? Is credit card debt feminist?

These questions reminded me of two of the best presents I have ever received.

Number 1:

[Back story] This past Thanksgiving, I finally figured out that my mother’s numbers have always been off by a few years (a fact she now conveniently denies). [Side eye] My mom married at the tender age of 16. He was 16 years her elder. Yes, it was legal. The twice-divorced love of her 16 year-old life turned out to be everything but her Prince Charming. He was the all-too-common triple A: abusive, alcoholic, and an adulterer. A shock, I know. Right before her 20^th birthday she divorced Mr. Uncharming and was left a single mom of a toddler and a newborn son. Did I mention that she grew up on a farm, had just moved to the states, did not speak any English, and that her entire family lived in the Caribbean? Yes. She hustled for many years, so much so, that I was five the first time we actually had a Christmas tree. Not only did we have our very own tree, but there was also one very large present waiting just for us. My brother and I eyed that box for days. On Christmas Eve we finally uncovered our very own child-size table with two chairs. My mom could not afford to give me a room of my own and gave me the next best thing: my own space, a little corner in the apartment that I could use to do my homework and teach my little brother all that I learned at school. On that table I was both diligent student and dedicated teacher. We also had all of our meals there because it was our table and, most importantly, our size. It was by far the very best present I remember ever receiving as a child.

Number 2:

This past birthday my mother sent me a picture book of my life story: essentially, Crunkista’s biography. It was very basic: a small booklet full of photographs and hand written chapters of what (in her eyes) have been the greatest milestones and achievements of my life. In it, she explained how I was as a child and how she saw my character evolve throughout the years. (Apparently I have always been crunk). She also shared stories I had never heard before—like the fact that I learned how to climb out of my crib and walk at seven months. At the end of the book, she left a number of blank pages so that I could write the rest of my story. I tear up just thinking about this wonderful gift.

This holiday, I would like to actively engage in a more feminist practice of gift-giving. I want to give presents that affect the people I love the way these presents have affected me. I don’t want to just give presents: I want to give lasting memories. To find unique gifts that align with this approach, I’ll be browsing Shoppok for ideas. Also, the less people I oppress, the better.

Some ideas I came up with:

• Support local craft fairs and purchase hand made items by local [women] artists
• Print one of your favorite photographs in black & white and frame it
• A CD of all of the top ten songs on the radio the year your loved one was born
• Spread the feminist love by giving a young adult a book written by a woman of color feminist author
• Make a book of coupons with redeemable actions: hugs, chores, homemade dinners, back rubs, quickies, etc.
• Compile a cookbook of your families’ most cherished recipes and include a brief bio of every cook
• Make a homemade calendar full of your favorite family photographs that highlights all the birthdays
• Seeds, pots, and soil so that they can plant their favorite flowers or start their own vegetable garden
• For the new parents: children’s books that feature people of color
• Dance classes
• An autographed copy of your loved ones favorite book
• Write their autobiography 😮
• Interview family members and ask them to share their favorite holiday memories, make a compilation and give everyone a copy with their gift hampers brisbane
• Make jars full of dry (organic) ingredients of their favorite cookies

Familia, with all of the winter holidays approaching–Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice and El Día de los Reyes–I think we can collectively compile a grand list of ideas. I would love to hear your thoughts on feminist/more conscious gift giving. What have been the greatest gifts you have received?