I've been doing the holidays my way since the mid 1960's by making things to give: a candle holder with my grandfather out of old scrap wood, a wreath out of Styrofoam and pinecone with my father, a shirt for my boyfriend. We have given plates of cookies or breads made for others with love. Experience presents have become the normal since the late 1970's, not just for the holidays but for birthdays as well. Experiences like paying for a class someone wants to take like a craft class or cooking class or going to a live concert or theater event.

I don't necessarily believe that capitalism is evil because I don't agree we should be given things for free. Most people take better care of the things they saved for AND a job gives people a sense of self-worth. What I do believe is twisted is the advertising business and the fact that we are not expected as a society to think and make decisions for ourselves and we do not evaluate the advertising message and our personal needs.