Ya-Ya’s Tea-Board

Over the last decade or so, I have become increasingly concerned about the commercialization of Christmas. Growing up, Christmas was a lovely family celebration and the culmination of a whole month of family-centred activities: baking, singing, enjoying the warm light of the candles on the Advent wreath. Sure, presents played no small role in the overall scheme, but they never seemed the main focus.

Things have changed since. Christmas-related items show up in the stores as early as October and there is an underlying pressure to give. Well, I personally enjoy giving very much, but this is a different giving I’m talking about. To me, giving is all about pleasure and satisfaction for the giver as well as the receiver. And yet, today’s giving feels much more like a chore than a pleasure. This unspoken obligation to give presents (and lots of them) to a large number of friends, family and colleagues has resulted in what I can only describe as an inflation of meaning. There’s not enough time to think of meaningful presents, efficiency has gained the reign in the world of Christmas Shopping. This results too often in unwanted gifts, things that barely last through the holidays and many unnecessary items in general. To remedy this situation at least partially, smart marketers have dreamed up the concept of ‘gift cards’, to me the epitome of impersonal treatment.
Long gone seem the times where gifts lasted for many years (I still have some toys my grandma gave me 30 years ago) or gave real satisfaction.

Being in a position of selling goods puts us in a strange place. Just like for any retail business, Christmas is a busy time for us. Many people buy gifts and in a sense, we are contributing to the situation I have just described. But I believe that the nature of these gifts is fundamentally different from the world of plastic garbage. For example, a quality Yixing teapot (check out our newly arrived Yixing pots) lasts a lifetime - in fact, it becomes better with every brew you make in it. And a present of tea will bring not only bring sensual pleasure but often also a a feeling of well-being, comfort and relaxation.

My hope for this year’s Christmas is that you enjoy this special time of the year. Enjoy spending time with your families, enjoy giving presents. Don’t succumb to peer pressure but rather put a meaning into every gift you give.

And merry Christmas to you all!