One of my favorite seasons of the year is upon us. I enjoy almost everything about Christmas; to me it means a change of pace, the excitement of decorating the tree, cutting pine boughs for the mantel, hanging the stockings and watching young and old light up on Christmas morning when there is a special surprise waiting for them. What I don’t enjoy about the season is the overt commercialism. It really struck home this year when I ran to Wal-Mart for a last minute fix for my little girls Halloween costume and they were putting out Christmas stuff?
This year my family has decided to give only presents that are handmade. It could be a poem, heartfelt letter, a painting, hand sewn Barbie doll clothes or anything created not purchased. We intend to put our energies and efforts into baking “good for you” cookies, doing good things for others and focusing on the best gift we possess: our love for each other.
We’ve also been stashing “the funny pages” as my grandmother calls them, from the Sunday paper. These colorful papers along with brown paper sacks are going to be our wrapping paper this year. When I was growing up, we never tore into our packages. We carefully untied the ribbon and used a pocketknife to cut the tape at the seams, folding the paper nicely and putting it into the paper box for next year. There was a time, when I was embarrassed about paper that had obviously been used before or wrapping a large package in several different papers so it looked like a patchwork quilt. Now I am much wiser and thoughtful. I understand the reason for re-using paper. It is expensive and wasteful. I read recently just how many million pounds of garbage wrapping paper adds up to each December. It was startling and sad.
My Christmas wish this year is to make a difference, even if it’s in my own little confines. About 6 years ago, a dear neighbor and friend, called me bright and early Christmas day and asked if I would go to the nursing home with her to sing Christmas Carols. Sure why not. I wasn’t spending the day with family. I should do something for someone. I didn’t know how much of an impression it would make on me. I’ve tried to put it into the mix for every Christmas morning since, whether Edith goes or not. It’s a beautiful way to start out a special day and I can only hope that the residents get as much joy out of if as I do.
So this Christmas, let the spirit of giving reign. Give back to the environment, your family and those around you. I promise, you will never feel better about Christmas!
This year my family has decided to give only presents that are handmade. It could be a poem, heartfelt letter, a painting, hand sewn Barbie doll clothes or anything created not purchased. We intend to put our energies and efforts into baking “good for you” cookies, doing good things for others and focusing on the best gift we possess: our love for each other.
We’ve also been stashing “the funny pages” as my grandmother calls them, from the Sunday paper. These colorful papers along with brown paper sacks are going to be our wrapping paper this year. When I was growing up, we never tore into our packages. We carefully untied the ribbon and used a pocketknife to cut the tape at the seams, folding the paper nicely and putting it into the paper box for next year. There was a time, when I was embarrassed about paper that had obviously been used before or wrapping a large package in several different papers so it looked like a patchwork quilt. Now I am much wiser and thoughtful. I understand the reason for re-using paper. It is expensive and wasteful. I read recently just how many million pounds of garbage wrapping paper adds up to each December. It was startling and sad.
My Christmas wish this year is to make a difference, even if it’s in my own little confines. About 6 years ago, a dear neighbor and friend, called me bright and early Christmas day and asked if I would go to the nursing home with her to sing Christmas Carols. Sure why not. I wasn’t spending the day with family. I should do something for someone. I didn’t know how much of an impression it would make on me. I’ve tried to put it into the mix for every Christmas morning since, whether Edith goes or not. It’s a beautiful way to start out a special day and I can only hope that the residents get as much joy out of if as I do.
So this Christmas, let the spirit of giving reign. Give back to the environment, your family and those around you. I promise, you will never feel better about Christmas!
