greenliving MEANINGFUL
Tips to Simplify the Season by Beth Davis
‘T
is the season, and a U.S. poll by Harris Interactive reveals that a majority of the stress 90 percent
of us feel about the holidays is related to gift-giving. So, solving this problem will set us well on our way to a joyeux noël. The same study found that given a choice, most of us prefer investing in good family relationships instead of more material things, anyway. Natural Awakenings has uncov- ered four ways that we can make the
GIVING
holidays less hectic and more relaxing and mean- ingful. First, says Barbara Kilikevich, author of A Mindful Christmas–How to Create a Meaningful, Peaceful Holiday, we have to stop buying into the notion that more is better and that extravagant, expensive gifts are equal to how much we care for one another. “We need to stop believing that doing it all is productive and having it all is meaningful.”
Get Crafty
Homemade gifts are always special. They carry a message of thoughtful- ness and love, which is the heart of gift-giving. Making a memorable gift can take less time than we’d spend earning the money for a manufactured gift, driving to the store and back and coping with checkout lines. Ideas are endless; these may stimulate your creative juices.
n Gather favorite family recipes and copy them into a personalized binder.
n Mix jars of tasty combinations of loose teas and/or bulk herbs that might include lavender, chamo- mile or mint. Add a mesh tea strainer to complete the package.
n Edible items are always a hit. Con- sider making something yummy that can be given to everyone on the list. Herbed olive oil, spiced nuts and homemade jams are favorites.
n Attractive, reusable shopping bags, made from repurposed or recycled
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fabric, make practical gifts that can be used again and again. Sew on monograms or paint on designs to personalize them.
n Fashioning painted pottery, custom artwork and decorated picture frames can engage kids in anticipat- ing fun holidays with friends and family.
Non-Material Gifts The Center for a New American Dream, a national nonprofit organiza- tion that challenges a “more is better” definition of the good life, suggests giving of oneself—providing gifts of time or experiences that will be long remembered.
n Invite loved ones to an outing to the zoo, a sporting event or an indoor/outdoor picnic.
n Give a friend her dream, based on an expressed interest and careful research. Sign her up for a class in cooking, sewing, photography or dancing—classes abound in most cities.
n Purchase a gift certificate for a local massage, acupuncture session or other soothing therapy as a way to unwind during or after the holiday season.
n Support the local art scene by giving tickets to a community theater or a museum membership.
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