Christmas traditions come from an inherently good place. In movies and pop music, the holiday season is all about taking a special moment to appreciate the people you love, bake cookies and learn life lessons from kind strangers with bird poop all over them.

The trouble is that it’s easy to lose sight of the good amidst all of the obligation and expense. There seems to be an increasing level of less-than-festive anger being expressed on social media. This raises the question: How do we escape corporate greed and get back to a place when this was “the most wonderful time of the year?” 

“Don’t go to the mall. Shop local,” says Ruth Smith, captain of the Winnipeg Etsy Street Team (WEST) a collection of 140 Manitoban artists who work together to promote their handmade and vintage goods. 

“It is money staying in the community, and it supports your friends and neighbours.” 

In addition to winnipegetsy.blogspot.ca, WEST will host its annual pop up shop at Frame Arts Warehouse (318 Ross Ave.) on Dec. 21 from 11 am to 5 pm. The items available will range from vintage clothing to handmade jewelry, pottery and more.

“Aunt Sally won’t get that pair of oven mitts that everyone got from Target. She’ll get something up-cycled and aesthetically pleasing,” Smith says.

You can also find many creations by the members of WEST at Tara Davis Boutique (246 McDermot Ave.)

 “The goal is to be a one stop shop” says Davis, the bright and cheery shop owner. 

The boutique hosts a number of Canadian-made products in every corner, including more traditionally masculine items like quirky cufflinks and drinking glasses made out of recycled beer bottles.  

In the spring Davis added a “mini global shop” featuring fair trade scarves, wallets and other goods purchased from around the world directly from artisans. 

“I started the section in honor of my grandmother” Davis says. “She worked for many years with global women’s causes.”

Besides the beautiful items available for purchase, there’s always the option to put your money toward something less material. 

“This effort started 10 to 15 years ago, a movement started where people decided they didn’t need more things” says Bradley P. Reimer, communications and donor relations director for the Mennonite Central Committee.

The MCC is a 97 year-old organization dedicated to relief development locally and internationally. For the holidays they release a catalogue with donation options ranging from $15 to $4000. Many people choose to buy something for someone in need under a loved one’s name, such as building materials, livestock, or even homecare. You can check out the catalogue at mcc.org or in their office at 134 Plaza Drive. 

Gift giving and spending time with family is supposed to be something fun, not an inconvenience. Maybe we can harness that childlike Christmas excitement when we feel good about the money we spend. 

Visit buynothingchristmas.org to read about those who have chosen to celebrate without spending a dime.

Published in Volume 68, Number 13 of The Uniter (November 27, 2013)