ConsumerWatch: 'Advent Conspiracy' Tries To Take Focus Off Spending

SAN JOSE (CBS 5) - With Christmas just a few days away shoppers are rushing to buy last minute presents. But for some the holidays aren't just about the gifts. Enter the Advent Conspiracy movement, where instead of buying and receiving presents it's more about giving something valuable like time and charity.

South Bay Church Pastor Andy Wood's church is one of the 17,000 that will be participating this year.

"Christmas is the height of consumerism for American culture, and many of us spend so much time energy and money buying stuff for people that they don't need," Wood said.

The advent movement was started in the Mid-West by three pastors. Now several organizations have become part of the movement. The Living Water International, an organization that helps communities acquire clean water is promoting living water gift cards which will help build water wells in Africa. Other sites like Rethinking Christmas have also posted their present ideas.

On the other hand, Scott Krugman from The National Retail Federation said the economy relies heavily on consumers shopping.

"Two-thirds of the gross domestic product is reliant on consumer spending," he said.

Still, those who follow the movement don't suggest that consumer stop spending, simply be more intentional about what presents are purchased. For instance, the creator of Tom's Shoes donates a pair for every shoe that is purchased. For more ideas on what gifts visit Trade As One and World Vision.
Vision.