Why does anyone need a 30" tall

[Skidmore]

plastic figurine of Superman? I ventured out today to do a little Christmas shopping and came home with one item after looking around. I just felt like crying. Piles of stupids stuff. I didn't even buy toys for the grandkids. I couldn't find any that didn't say smart-assed stuff, sing, giggle, or produce sounds of flatulance. They wiggled and jiggled and jumped and all needed multiple batteries. It was just too much. I kept thinking about all the chemical junk that went into producing all that plastic.

And another thing. I actually saw a one use digital camera and a one use digital movie camera. Why do we need a one use anything like that? I just walked out of the store. I've come to so hate this season. All it brings is stress and anxiety and I'll be glad when it's over.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I know exactly what you mean. Hard not to cringe, isn't it?

[dysfunctional press]

2. why does anyone NEED anything except food clothing and shelter?

take a look around- the VAST majority of the things we each have around our homes are things that we could easily do without.

[angstlessk]

5. Don't forget to include in NEED catagory a computer and internet access...

I could do without clothing if I could make a living on my computer and access!

[dysfunctional press]

11. i don't remember that as being required for human survival...

food, clothing, shelter...

nope, no computators.

if humans actually NEEDED a computator to survive- how did all the generations that were around before they were invented manage to make it...?

[Warpy]

15. .....and human contact

I have been a virtual shut in for several years. This computer provided me with a means of communicating with folks all over the world, with family, and with friends I left behind in Boston.

A complete lack of human contact makes you crazy. Since we no longer have extended families squashed together in a small space, the computer can provide an essential link.

I've had a severely handicapped cousin who's had one as an essential means of communication since the mid 70s.

So yes, for some of us it's an essential thing.

[dysfunctional press]

22. food clothing and shelter are the only ESSENTIALS.

the rest is LUXURY.

[angstlessk]

30. Hell, clothing is a luxury...the animals do not wear clothes...why not let nature

take its course and we grow hair back where needed..in the cold climes..that is..not parts of body.

[dysfunctional press]

37. it depends on the climate.

most of us wouldn't survive where we are without some type of clothing.
and most animals have fur.

[MadHound]

39. True that, but there are a lot of things needed to make life easier and a bit more fun

Even if you limit yourself to the basics, food, clothing and shelter, how are you going to obtain them? Working? That opens up a whole can of worms consisting of transportation, communication, special clothing needs, work materials(depending upon what area you work in), etc. etc. If you're going to do it the old fashioned way, grow your own, raise your own, build your own, then you are opening up a can of worms that includes tools, livestock, various raw materials, time and effort saving machinery etc.

Then the question becomes where do you draw the line? No electrical devices? No gasoline powered devices? No metal, going back to the good old days of the hunter gatherer?

It is easy to make such broad sweeping general statements, they sound good, they look good, but they're vague and for the most part impractical as hell. Tell the person who is a parapalegic, or diabetic that all they need is food, clothing, shelter. Or the local farmer. Or the person who telecommutes or otherwise works out of their home.

It would be lovely to go back to those wonderful, romantic days of yore when you built your own home, heated it with wood you chopped down, fed yourself with crops you raised using only the power of your own two hands. And yet if you look back on those days, you will find that life was short, nasty and brutish. A peasant in medieval Europe was a used up husk generally by the time they were thirty five, dead around forty. They suffered nagging painful ailments that caused them pain for a majority of their lives. And if the person was handicapped, well, they probably didn't live to see adulthood.

I understand fully the point, and fully agree that this country has become entirely too materialistic. But throwing out modern technology is not the answer. That rather lies within each and every one of us. We have the power to decide whether or not we will participate in this annual orgy of consumerism. Frankly, I'm going very low tech this year, and giving something that truly reflects my life. I'm giving out plants, bushes, berries and trees. I will plant them in the springtime, and thus have another chance to get together with the ones I love. You too could do something similar. Gifts are meant to be of oneself, to reflect oneself. Find something unique about yourself, and give a gift that reflects that. Such gifts are generally made by you, or heavily influenced by you. And you know what? They are generally much more appreciated than anything you buy in a big box store.

Peace:hi:

[dysfunctional press]

47. and for some people, that means a 30" plastic superman...

i wasn't really getting down on people having things- just pointing out that none of us really 'needs' most of the stuff we have anyway.

i've got shitloads of the stuff.

[Ron Green]

3. It's brilliant.

Keep people addicted to stupid stuff, and enslaved to corporate masters to pay for it. Health, integrity and peace are so damned hard, compared to war and slavery, which is easy as pie.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Why I donate money to an organization like Heifer International in the names of

all my 'gift receivers' and hand-make things for my grandchild. I also make candy or cookies and send to those who only get the cards stating I've made the donations.

[Egalitariat]

6. I picked up a trio of rabbits and 10 ducks on Sunday at church

in honor of my dad and brother.

I love the philosophy of Heifer.

[sinkingfeeling]

48. I really want to buy the Ark. I've been thinking of ways to get that extra $5K.

I bought my mom ducks and chickens for Mothers' Day...bought a llama and a goat and some trees for Christmas.

[BuyingThyme]

7. How 'bout a baseball glove. Or a new bike!

[FormerDittoHead]

8. We ate snow for Christmas dinner and we liked it!

Why would I need an Odd Ogg? I don't know, but I NEEDED it:


Hey, if you want to stand on your soapbox and complain about excessive stuff, go to Neiman Marcus, for Christ's sake.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. Odd Ogg, Odd Ogg, Half Turtle and Half Frog...

An ad earworm from the past. But I never had an Odd Ogg.

[SoCalDem]

9. One use digital cameras have a place

My son took my good camera to Italy wehn he went to school there, and on a trip to Pompeii, his friend set it down on a railing, and LEFT IT THERE.. My son did not even know it was gone until they got back to Florence (where they were in school).. A single use, cheapo would have been a good choice.

and with internet cafes all over now, the single use ones are easy too, since you can take the pics, upload them, and not have to worry that someone's gonna take your camera from your baggage, or get it damaged in the security shuffle.

They actually take good pics too.

[Skidmore]

26. But where do those one use things go when they're used up?

Do they get recycled? I don't think so. They go into a landfill somewhere and the chemicals in them seep into the ground and the ground water.

[ContraBass Black]

50. Absolutely not. That would be an extreme monetary loss for the providers.

They're cleaned up, re-cased, recharged, and boxed for the next customer.

[ContraBass Black]

10. "Why does anyone need a 30" tall plastic figurine of Superman?"

Unless they're filming a stop-motion movie no one does, but some people like toys.

"Why do we need a one use anything like that?"
Some people don't have cameras and need them cheaply and right away. The benefit of a digital camera is being able to see the picture immediately and retake it if necessary. One-use doesn't mean it goes in a trash can afterward, it means that the photographer doesn't keep it.

[TlalocW]

21. My personal toy sin are Batmobiles

Corgi has put out a line of 1:43 (maybe a bit bigger than Hot Wheels) Batmobiles from the different eras, and I have 21 of them so far, including 2 pairs where the model is the same, but the colors are different.

Each one costs about $7 so $140.00 spread out over two years.

TlalocW

[ContraBass Black]

23. I buy Matchbox cars.

I currently have 226 of them. The new ones still cost about a dollar.

[EFerrari]

13. Go see this page of wacky gifts:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/gift-central/gift-guides/rc/R8LGKH2XRE7D6/ref=cm_gift_gg_left_cur/002-5472985-1420009

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Dave, my friend, makes quality toys

PM me if you are interested in handmade wooden toys, kaleidoscopes, etc, and I'll get it to Dave (who is a good Democrat and environmentalist)

[demnan]

16. At my company under the tree today

I noticed someone had bought a girl's bicycle. Some little girl from a poor family is going to be really happy this Christmas.

[Gregorian]

17. Bravo! I love to see people thinking.

You've seen the light.

I've totally boycotted the season for over thirty years. Period. It doesn't exist to me. You could say I'm no fun. Go ahead. Say it. I don't care. I'm frugal and I'm saving the planet. Or at least not killing it as fast as possible.

I will always love that bumpersticker that says- Sit there, don't just do something!



And on another note, I've gotten so good at detecting, I can nearly always tell which products were made in China. I have that sense. Which is really boring and not very useful. However, yesterday I got one of those flyers from the local grange/hardware store. Every single item in the entire paper was from China. It's not just the occasional bits, but everything. I worry about that. And it's also part of this mess. Everything you buy is supporting China's economy. Which is fine. But we need to survive too.

Anyways, I'm glad you are seeing the light. Find something else to do. Forget about buying stuff.

[Skidmore]

28. Oh, I've seen the light for quite a while.

I get very frustrated with the culture as a whole and recognize that it is getting worse, not better. Now we've also become a nation of food snobs. Ordinary fare is not enough. Fifteen types of coffee under one brand name, chocolate in varying blends and shades of darkness, exotic this and that when most of the world goes hungry.

[Gregorian]

36. Wut? You don't LUV Iron Chef?

OMG! Chantrelles and truffles are just my favs!

It makes me sick to my stomach. And I like cooking. But it's the blindness that is so disgusting. If we were putting our military money into feeding a few people around the world, I'd be a huge Iron Chef fan. After all, food is something to celebrate.

Oh well. Here we sit. Waiting. At least I am. Decade after decade. Talking about what COULD be. What should be. And seeing the stupidity and greed.

Sorry. It's tiring. I just have to vent.

[mondo joe]

43. How do you feel about art? Music?

All those songs and paintings. They're not even necessary!

[Missy M]

18. The 30" tall Superman's and all the other junk sure keeps the..

people in China employed because we Americans love junk. So much of what everyone buys are useless dust catchers. I do estate sales sometimes and the stuff people have is amazing, specially when they are obsessive complusive buyers. Many items still have the original tags on even though they were purchased years ago. Just did one with hundreds of shoes and just as much clothing. It makes me not want to buy anything after I see all the junk people do have.

[grilled onions]

19. A Gift Does Have to Be "Wrapped"

It's time for many of the self indulgent parents to take their kids to volunteer at shelters and see what the truly needy are all about. Instead of giving several sweaters to those who already have one of every color give them to places that give clothes to the needy,those who have lost everything in a fire,flood etc. Instead of yet another box of cheese and sausage for under the tree take that money and put it to good use at the local food pantry. Scrap quilts,knitted scarves etc are needed,not just this time of year, but all year.
Buy a book,in someones name and donate to the local library. Buy books that shelter visitors could utilize.
Start buying kids gifts that don't require batteries(I know it's a challenge) and it's time to go back to games that the entire family can play without a tv screen!
Bake those cookies and take some to seniors on your block or at your church. Bake some for the shelter as well.
The Spirit of the Season is ours if we yank up those shirt sleeves and go do something.

[Skidmore]

29. This year I'm making bathrobes and jammies for the

little ones. Last year I bought lots of art supplies for them. I always buy socks and underwear for everyone. I'm starting to suspect that none of my immediate family ever buy those items on their own because they figure Mom will have a package under the tree for them. I'd like to get a little toy for the baby though. She's 15 months old and thinks socks are for chewing on.

[badgerpup]

20. Gave one nephew a pogo stick, plus knee and shoulder pads one year...

...gave another nephew and niece a Red Ryder wagon.
Books, too. Five year old Alex WAS a bit young for Desmond Morris, but he loves dogs and horses so much I couldn't NOT give him Horsewatching and Dogwatching.
He now speaks rather fluent Dog and Horse...:)

[angstlessk]

33. I do not know how my generation survived sans knee/elbow pads and helmets?

I did pogo, hoola hoop, roller skates and bike riding..all without so much as long pants (mostly in skirts since that is what girls wore back then)

[sweetpotato]

24. Too much stuff

Everyone that I am gifting this year already has too much stuff. I am doing consumables for the holiday gifts - homemade cookies, fudge, cupcakes and the like. For those who don't like sweets, I'm making up some soups that can be frozen and enjoyed later - my sister is probably expecting her potato soup - she loves it. And when its gone - its gone. No dusting required.

[Igel]

25. I saw five-foot high plastic snow-globes at a local store.

It was kept inflated by an air compressor that maintained a positive pressure differential.

The base wasn't waterproof, so it couldn't be used outside. It was five feet in diameter, and who could put something like that in their living room?

Ok, folks with McMansions might. But I was in a Big Lots, and McMansionites don't go there.

[chaplainM]

27. To thwart the 30' tall Lex Luthor

Duh.

[Broken_Hero]

56. .........

:spray:

[leftofthedial]

31. the "good" news is that all the pollution from making that crap

is in China.

[Gregorian]

38. I wasn't going to post that!

But you did. Somehow I have to laugh. Even though I see it as one world.

I have to laugh, or I'd go crazier than I already am.

[seemunkee]

32. One use movie cameras get recycled

I took a couple on some trips. You take them back to the store to get burned to DVD. They recycle the camera for the next customer. I believe something similar happens to the digital still cameras.

Or you can look up on the net how to hack it and keep reusing it yourself.

[KansDem]

34. If you think that's bad, go to those $1 stores and see the crap spread out over acres and acres..

Although I must admit I did go to a $1 store and bought Frankenstein and Dracula tea towels to hang on the frig at Halloween time...

[FormerDittoHead]

51. $1 stores? For crying out loud. Let's get some damn perspective people.

Do you really think people buying stuff in dollar stores should be taught some kind of lesson about the unfortunate in the world?

You people have to get some perspective.

THIS is your perspective:

$650 for a PAIR OF FUCKING SHOES:



Let the boy have his god damn Superman doll. (re: OP)

[Nikia]

54. I guess it depends on the issue we are talking about

Some people who shop at the dollar store do so because they are buying the things that they need and cannot afford to buy them at most regular stores. They are not mass consumers. They aren't buying that stuff to have stuff.
Other people who shop at dollar stores and other discount stores are compulsive shoppers. My mother-in-law is one of them. She does not have many expensive items, even though she could afford a few with all the money she spends on shopping. For her one $650 item=650 $1 items. The more items, the more satisfaction. I just wish that she would give away a lot of that stuff that she never uses to charity, instead of letting it accumulate in the basement and closets.
When you take into account middle class people like my mother-in-law, one $650 dollar item usually leads to less environmental waste than 650 $1 items.
I think there are a couple other considerations. Most people do buy things that aren't truly necessary. Most people have some kind of decorations in their homes, including several who have holiday decorations for this time of year, which aren't really necessities. Many children enjoy playing with toys even though most children have imaginations sufficient to turn nearly anything into a toy. Many people buy books and dvds, even though they might be able to borrow them from the library, friend, or a movie rental place. Many people never step into a second hand store.
There is also the issue of how long one keeps the items that they buy. Some people get rid of their clothes that they buy every year. Others wear the same clothes for years. Some people might lose interest in their superman figurine shortly after getting it, while others keep it for their children or even grandchildren.
The continual production of stuff is useful for the economy. It is not good for the environment though. Recycling items, through reusing the materials, or donating items in good condition to second hand stores might be a good compromise in benefitting both.

[RedStateShame]

35. I couldn't help but hum Vince Guaraldi reading this

And that Charlie Brown cartoon aired in what, 1963? I'm afraid the rabid commercialization won't tone down any time soon.

[librechik]

40. everybody feels like that before the Winter Solstice.

When The Light Returns (Dec 21-22) you will feel a weight lifted and all the phony stuff won't be so painful to look at. You might have a spending spree then, tho, so watch out!

We are taking a different gift approach this year. Everyone is tired of all the crappy junk that gets passed out. I don't know yet what we will do (I am in the grip of pre-solstice stinginess too!) but I don't want the dreary hopelessness that giving junk leaves me with.

Although, the crap looks better after the solstice. Sigh.

[mtnester]

41. The Discovery Store...if you have one near

I agree with the quality of toys...I like to shop at this store because at least you can TRY to get a kid to think or interact from/with something you get here.

[mondo joe]

42. Let's put anyone who gets one in stockades. They must be shamed

for enjoying toys.

[kath]

44. For quality toys that do not need batteries, try the Hearthsong catalog.

www.hearthsong.com
Or Chinaberry for excellent books, audio tapes, crafts, a few toys www.chinaberry.com
It's so much better for the imagination for kids to play with simple, old-fashioned type toys.
For younger kids, also try some of the educational "teacher supply" type catalogs, like Kaplan or
or Constructive Playthings - wooden blocks, play dishes and food sets, wonderful rubber/plastic animals, etc.

[knitter4democracy]

55. I was going to recommend those, too.

Much better, and Hearthsong has great customer service. I always get the silk blankie in there for friends with new babies. They just love them.

[lectrobyte]

45. We who have so much

We who have so much to you who have so little
to you who don't have anything at all
We who have so much more than any one man does need
and you who don't have anything at all, ah
Does anybody need another million dollar movie?
does anybody need another million dollar star?
Does anybody need to be told over and over
spitting in the wind comes back at you twice as hard?

Does anyone really need a billion dollar rocket?
does anyone need a $60,000 car?
Does anyone need another President?
or the sins of Swaggart parts 6, 7, 8, and 9, ah?
Does anyone need another politician
caught with his pants down money sticking in his hole?
Does anyone need another racist preacher?
spittin' in the wind can only do you harm, wow

Does anyone need another faulty shuttle
blasting off to the Moon, Venus or Mars?
Does anyone need another self-righteous rock and roll singer
whose nose he says has led him straight to God?
Does anyone need yet another blank skyscraper?
If you're like me I'm sure a minor miracle will do
A flaming sword or maybe a gold ark floating up the Hudson
When you spit in the wind it comes right back at you

Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, Strawman, Strawman
Strawman, Strawman

-- Lou Reed, "Strawman"

[earth mom]

46. Buy books, art supplies, jewelry or buy from people who make one of a kind

items. Ebay has people who make all kinds of stuff just search "OOAK". Or do a google search for Made in America toys. In our area at this time of year, there are also boutiques and gift fairs every weekend with vendors selling their own hand made wares. You could also make up a gift basket with scrapbooking or seeds/garden items and later spend time with the grandkids scrapbooking or planting the seeds or maybe even a tree. Also, you could always make your own items for them too.

I can't stand the plastic crap from China either-when I think what it does to the environment I want to cry! However, it's this stuff that my kid wants for Christmas and birthday, so that's when I buy it new. The rest of the year, I make a concentrated effort to buy used video games, used books and some used toys-when I can find them since good clean and unbroken toys are hard to find.

[roamer65]

49. Wanna get more depressed? Look at where its all made.

China and India.

[seabeyond]

52. comforter, sheets, shams for husband. comforter, table, alarm clock

for son. last year our house was in need of kitchen things, can opener, mixer, hand towels and dish rags.

i have started using christmas to buy all the things i would have bought anyway, becuase we need them. i just wait until christmas and wrap them up and put a name on it. my husband loves it. last year he giggled so much and was in such joy seeing he received a can opener and dish towels. this year, the comforter i have spent a couple years putting off buying is going ot just thrill him.

i agree with you on the toys and i have kids. last year there was not even anything that they wanted. this year too. i bought a couple board games, books always.... but the youngest is getting walkie talkies that will work. and that is his "toy". the rest, tshirts, beanie

my oldest son wants to get away from his scooby comforter and spiderman sheets, so that is wha the is getting. i would have done that anyway. and wants a little table next to his bed. again, would have gotten it anyway, as he steps into teenager.

christmas is what you make it. you are making it a to do over the plastic toys ect.... we on the other hand have embraced the junk, rejected it and have found a different, fun way to go... and still get to really enjoy christmas.

[hedgehog]

53. Find a different place to shop.

There are some excellent recommendations upthread. What about books or music? Do any of the grand kids play an instrument? How about sheet music? What about hobby items such as a guide to birds, leanr to knit kit or even a seed starting kit?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

57. Because kids like toys and Superman is pretty cool?

Technically, all they really need is food, water, air & shelter, but I fail to see any sort of harm to come from a 30" Superman doll. Kids like toys. I fail to see how that's a crying matter or reason to be all grinchy.

Hell, I'm in my twenties and I still enjoy playing the occasional violent video games, which I've been playing since I was about 8.