how to buy christmas presents on a budget

There's a lot in this little book. Christmas is a time of celebration. It is a time of giving. We must steal it back and "selfishly" give. Mr. McKibben just asks one thing. Try to only spend approximately $100 on gifts. There is nothing "cheap" about this. It's a simple monetary limit on tension, selfishness & joylessness. It proposes that we give of our most valuable commodity--time. Make things, take kids to a museum or on a nature walk and give that extra cash you have to charity or church as a gift. Food and time are two of the greatest and most appreciated gifts. A great quote: "Market capitalism, if it is as rational as its proponents always insist, cannot actually depend for its strength on the absurdly lavish celebration of the birth of a man who told us to give away everything that we have." How true. Thanks Bill. You speak for many who want a true Christmas of family love, joyfulness and spirit back.

p.s. He doesn't step on any toes--shop locally for presents if they are to be purchased he suggests. It keeps the local economy healthy and supports friends and family businesses that depend on Christmas for their income. Especially small bookstores where they know your face and maybe your name. Go pick up a copy now and make contact with a living human being. A true Christmas takes time--not money       

From the title, you might guess this book is about saving money or Christmas on a budget. But mainly this book is about making Christmas matter more, and enjoying it more. The way McKibben suggests doing that is by focusing on things that you can't buy. The end result turns out to be not only a happier and more fulfilling Christmas, but also a cheaper, more environmentally-friendly, more community-oriented holiday.

The one area I disagree with him on, and this is just a question of what works for you, is that he emphasizes the old idea of giving coupons for backrubs, yard work, etc. In theory that's a good thought. In practice, the coupons are often not redeemed. And if they are redeemed, there's no guarantee it will come at a good time for you. Better would be another suggestion of his, which is to do something nice for someone right away.

This is a short, easy read, and suitable for buying and lending around to family and friends.