Groups aim to counter Christmas consumerism

By Modisane Kwanza
Free Press Staff Writer
Saturday, November 30, 2002

Two women stopped momentarily at the entrance of the Burlington Town Center on Friday and listened intently as Ruah Swennerfelt of Charlotte talked to them about spending time, not money this holiday.

Swennerfelt pulled out literature about alternative gift giving from her wicker basket to give them, but the women's hands were too full of shopping bags to take any. Swennerfelt smiled and wished them a happy holiday as they walked away.

"It's not to down the holidays at all," said Swennerfelt, 55, with the Burlington Friends Meeting (Quaker). The group was on Church Street to remind people that the holidays are about love, not going into debt.

"It's really about how are we going to focus our energies," Swennerfelt said.

Next to a Salvation Army bell-ringer, Burlington psychotherapist Walter Zeichner's voice rang out asking people to resist the temptation to spend money on more stuff. Zeichner, 42, directed Church Street Marketplace shoppers to where fellow volunteers from the Pagan Cluster were offering free cookies and warm drinks.

Members of the Pagan Cluster practice nature-based spirituality and political activism. They believe that power should not be expressed as power over others. So along with the goodies, shoppers were offered a chance to spend money on peace. They jotted down wishes in magic marker on the back of damp play $20, $50, and $100 bills which the group plans to mail toPresident George Bush. The point was to show that citizens "can use our resources in different ways," said nurse practitioner Joanne Hunt, a member of the group.

Elissa Rehm, 19, of Shelburne dropped a wish in the box. She was happy to see the group raising awareness about issues such as the possible war in Iraq.

The two groups decided to gather at the same time Friday to draw attention to International Buy Nothing Day, which coincided with the traditional kick-off to the Christmas shopping season. Their don't-shop-till-you-drop theme caught people's attention.

A group of carolers with the Pagan Cluster sang a remake of the holiday standard, "Silver Bells."

"Buy and Sell, Buy and Sell," the song went. "It's Christmas time for consumers. Ching-a-ching, registers ring. Must we spend Christmas this way?"

To commemorate the event, the Burlington Quakers passed out "gift of time" certificates redeemable for good conversations, cooking and sharing a meal, or taking care of someone's pets or plants.

"You can't buy that in a store," Swennerfelt said. Her group will be out on the Marketplace for three more Saturdays.

On Friday, some people brushed by without a word, Swennerfelt admitted, but the majority were more than happy to listen.

"Wow, thank you. This is a nice idea," Erik Kaarla said as he took the material from Swennerfelt's gloved hand. Kaarla, 38, an English instructor at Community College of Vermont and Burlington College, said he devotes a great deal of time to his students and work. In doing so, he can appreciate how valuable time really is, he said.

"Time is huge, it's worth more than money, property, power and wealth. To give it freely is a huge gift," Kaarla said.


Contact Modisane Kwanza at 660-1833, or mkwanza@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com.