Remembering the meaning of truly giving over the festive season - Kilkenny Live

Christmas is upon us again and the airwaves are full of reports of financially strapped consumers borrowing money, often to buy presents that people don’t need or want.

Money lenders are preying on the vulnerable and many people are borrowing to cover the cost of Christmas. It is easy to get wrapped up in the festive splurge but for the most part is this spending is unnecessary and can be avoided.

Thankfully Santa Claus has all the little people taken care of and he will make his annual trip on Christmas Eve, sharing gifts and some festive magic with children all over the world. As long as the little people send their letters well in advance of  Christmas Santa and his elves will have plenty of time to prepare and get their presents.

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For us adults though I think people need to really ask do they need to buy other people gifts? There is the financial cost and for a lot of people, with inflation and the rising cost of living, this is a very good reason not to spend needlessly - putting food on the table and having heat in your home - this is what will sustain us over the coming months.

There are other ways to give, most of which carry more meaning. Spending time and not money is one of the most precious gifts we can share. Pot up a plant from your garden, share some leftovers, frame a photograph or invite someone over for a cup of tea - all meaningful gestures that you can do without spending extra cash.

Money aside, there is also the environmental impact of the giving of material gifts which often results in huge amounts of waste - both in packaging and wrapping paper. Often underneath the plastic and packaging the item in question is a fraction of the size so if you are gifting be mindful of this waste and go green in your wrapping using bits of paper that are destined for the recycling bin.

There is a constant barrage of messaging at this time of year that we should all be laden down with presents but that does not mean you have to buy into the avalanche of advertising. Being present is far more giving than the giving of a present. Actually checking in, connecting and reconnecting, sharing stories, engaging in good conversations - creating priceless memories - this is what really matters.

If most people are honest with themselves, that scarf, hat, book, toiletries set that were gifted to us over the years are quite often put in the back of a cupboard, just creating more waste. Before you buy think those the intended recipient need and want the item and more importantly will they use it and will it last.

At a time where we are all more environmentally conscious decluttering and regifting is a good option and helps to support a circular economy. It is also a lovely and thoughtful process to give something of meaning and sentiment to another. As a society we have to reduce our consumption and fast so why not look through your wardrobe and on your book shelf and see if you have items that you no longer use and if so pass them on to someone who would enjoy them.

The Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy is Ireland’s first national circular economy strategy. The Strategy is a key addition to Government’s drive to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to get on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as per commitments in the Programme for Government and the Climate Act 2021.

Climate change is very real and frightening and most of us still have our heads in the sand when it comes to effecting change. We know we need to dramatically reduce consumption, end fast fashion and eradicate single use plastic but what are we actually individually doing. That is a question worth asking?

Doing nothing is no longer an option and if you don’t care about the state of the planet then you should think about it for future generations. At the rate temperatures are increasing many parts of the world are going to be uninhabitable within our lifetimes. We all have to act and small decisions and choices to reduce and reuse do make a real difference.
Needless and mindless purchasing is actively encouraged in the run up to Christmas. It is time to call a halt to the madness.
If you do want to buy a gift think before you shop and shop local and support your independent businesses and craftspeople.