Whose Birthday? #15

One of the greatest pressures is to spend on gifts, especially during the holidays. Whether the celebration is Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, many people find the consumer frenzy exhausting. After the celebration, they may be left with unsatisfying gifts and consumer debt. The emotional toll may even be greater. The holidays are supposed to inspire us; instead they exhaust us. We spend so many hours in cars and shopping malls that we often have little time left to experience the joy of the season.

  Don't despair. There are many creative ways to express the spirit of peace, joy and generosity of the season without pulling out your credit card. Many of the following suggestions are suitable for any holiday, as well as birthdays:

1. Chronicle your family history by assembling photographs, letters and important documents. Make this your one gift to the entire family.

2. Record a family oral history on audio tape with commentary from parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles. Such a gift will be truly treasured in years to come after people pass away.

3.  Knit a sweater or build a birdhouse.

4.  Frame one of your best photographs.

5.  Make a tape of your favorite music.

6.  Design a gift certificate which gives baby-sitting to a close friend, an afternoon at a museum or art gallery to a grandparent, or a candlelight massage to your partner.

7.  Host a potluck party instead of a giant holiday feast.

8.    Make your own cards and send them only to relatives and good friends.

9.  Work with a social services agency to find a family in need, then share appropriate gifts with them.

10.  Shop for secondhand toys.

Children need not suffer under this alternative approach to the holidays. Take them caroling, help them make gifts for grandparents and cousins and involve them in assembling gift boxes for the homeless. Along with their holiday presents, they will experience the unexpected joy of giving.

From  "Simplify the Holidays," a booklet from The Center for a New American Dream, available for $2 by calling 1-800-NEW-DREAM or free on-line at http://www.NewDream.org/holiday/brochure.php.

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This page last updated 5 Nov 2015

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