{The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge} Erin’s Soapbox: The Internet Ruined Christmas Lists

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Normally, when one of the Ladies asks a Big Question, the answer ends up being exploratory and open-ended — but not today. Today, Erin isn’t asking. She’s telling.

It’s Erin’s Soapbox: The Internet Ruined Christmas Lists.

In this episode, Erin compares the traditional handwritten Christmas list (with its general descriptions of needs and wants) to the modern Amazon wish list (with its detailed prescriptions for specific gifts, right down to the desired size, pattern, and color) and finds that there is really no comparison.

“Part of what happens with an old-fashioned Christmas list is relational,” says Erin. “The person giving the gift gets to really consider what they know about the person they are selecting a gift for, and consider what they would enjoy. And the receiver gets to learn something about the person who gave it.” Amazon and other online wish lists, by contrast, are transactional, require (and allow) no creativity, and do little to enhance relationships.

Throughout the conversation, Erin, Sarah, and Rachel all share stories about good, bad, and sometimes highly idiosyncratic Christmas wish list experiences and offer practical tips for how to craft — and shop from — a well-made Christmas list.

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

The Lutheran Ladies Lounge is the podcast produced by KFUO Radio and hosted by Sarah Gulseth, Erin Alter, and Rachel Bomberger. Created for Lutheran ladies to have a place to escape to with inviting conversations, laughter, and fellowship with Lutheran sisters, we invite all of you Lutheran ladies to join Sarah, Erin, and Rachel on the sofa in the Lutheran Ladies Lounge to sit, rest your feet, and stay a while. If you’re a Lutheran lady, join us in our Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge.