I remember when Christmas consumerism – I mean decorating – started the day after Hallowe’en.But this year, 2 weeks before Hallowe’en when I was looking for that elusive but necessary, orange plastic pumpkin with interior self-timing lights, I was picking around silver reindeer, gaudy ceramic Christmas elves, and red bead garlands. It’s enough to drive a person to lie down until the impulse to shop passes.
It’s getting earlier every year. Advertisers ramp up their ads. Parking spots vanish, traffic clogs, Christmas carols chant from stores, line-ups lengthen, chocolates are consumed, tape tangles, wrapping paper tears, and boxes break. Disappointment everywhere.
The frenzy builds and before we know it, we’re left with emptier wallets, fuller drawers, and gain a nervous twitch that lasts till May.
We are a nation of mostly disposal goods. Each year we spend more and more money, buying more and more stuff. It’s now been rendered so normal by advertising and social media that we hardly have noticed what this collective madness has done to us.
But here’s what I know for sure. You can’t buy serenity or peace of mind, because it’s an inside job and Amazon can’t deliver it in time for Christmas.
This is the most horrible truth and I so resent it.
Also chocolate with 75% cocoa is not actually a food.
How can we be more environmentally responsible, stretch our dollars, but more importantly, give of our heart?
Do you have picture frames that you could reuse or update by inexpensively changing out a mat, or inserting a new photograph or piece of art?
It is now a comic tradition that every year I secretly take a piece of art off the wall of my son-in-law’s home to reframe or re-mat. The amazing part is, not only does he not miss it, but hardly recognizes it as his own when unwrapping Christmas morning.
Can you recover old toss cushions? Make a quilt? Buy from an organization that not only makes items from reused fabrics, but supports people in need?
Think about treating your special someone to gifts they can enjoy for months or even years.
I know, it’s a slippery slope. Next thing you know, you’ll be making your own pasta. Or know where your IKEA Allen key is.
Subscriptions, memberships, event tickets, or treat them to activities and places to enjoy together.
Give them something of yours they have always coveted.
Package some of your books they would love to own.
Speaking like a Hallmark card, pen a letter telling someone how much you appreciate and love them. Our most potent offering is that of gratitude. Practicing this is a radical act in our excrescent, consumption-driven society, for it’s not what we get, but what we give thanks for, that gives us abundant life.
Make a photo book of your last vacation together.
Give yourself and your loved ones a Christmas gift by making a personal commitment to being healthy during this holiday season and beyond. Good health is undoubtedly more valuable than anything you can buy.
As for me, I’ve decided that I’ll never get down to my original weight and I’m okay with that. After all, 8 lbs, 7 oz. is just not realistic.
By the way, always decorate your home with lots of mistletoe. This won’t really help the environment, but more kissing has got to be good for world peace.
Bake them a cake, write a poem, spend an afternoon with them, but don’t trash the planet to tell someone you care. You can’t do it all, but you can do what you can.
We don’t know when and how we are leaving the greatest marks on the world. It all matters.
Merry Wonderful to all.
By the way, don’t forget to drink water and get plenty of sunlight, because you are basically a plant with more complicated emotions.
Merry merry xmas. I enjoy your news letters
I have always given my home made jams
I haven’t made any for the past 2 yrs way to much work
Instead I am donating money to the mustard seed from my self and friends
Best is to pay it forward
All the best for the new yr
Maureen
Merry Christmas! I so enjoy your emails, thank you.
Love your photos too
Susan
Namaste
Thank you for this post!The true Christmas. Merry Christmas Karen and joy and happiness to you and yours.
With gratitude
Cheryl
Thank you …. a terrific message !!
All the best to you this Christmas and always .
Dawn 😊
Merry merry xmas. I enjoy your news letters
I have always given my home made jams
I haven’t made any for the past 2 yrs way to much work
Instead I am donating money to the mustard seed from my self and friends
Best is to pay it forward
All the best for the new yr
Maureen
I always look forward to reading your posts Karyn. This one hits home, well said!
Merry Christmas ❤️
Ann
Good advice! Roz