Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Avoiding Commodifying Hurricane Sandy in 2012 Holiday Gift Guides: Some Tips

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, there have been many responses to the natural disaster. Some have made too-soon (but funny) cocktails, others have donated generously, a select few are obsessively preparing for the next natural disaster, and some have moved on to holiday shopping. Then there are some who have combined a few of these responses: namely, the trend of holiday shopping for survival gear. Numerous websites and blogs have posted gift guides for disaster gear (“disaster preparedness is all the rage right now”) and while some of them are well-intended others risk capitalizing on a tragedy that many people are still experiencing. Where is the line between smart, informed, if not a little paranoid, gift guides and the commodification of a natural disaster?

Here are some helpful tips for those flirting with the idea of creating a survival gift guide to help them avoid the slippery slope of taboo:

-Avoid bombarding your guide with pet-saving gear, such as doggie life vests, portable purifying cat water fountains, etc. #RichPeopleProblems.
-Items such as water wicking pants, rain resistant jackets, and water-proof matches are not helpful when half of Manhattan has flooded. Having water bead instantly on one’s pants cannot help them when their home is destroyed.
-Do not give people compasses. Only Eagle Scouts know how to read them properly and unless you think your friends and family will find themselves in a natural disaster in the Yukon, consider an iTunes gift card as a stocking stuffer instead.
-Those flashlights that you have to crank to turn on are just not useful so stop putting them in your gift guides.

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