going through an old folder
SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAYS SUGGESTIONS
Don't let gifts dominate how holidays are framed
and experienced. There's so much more to the
holidays!
FAMILY/CELEBRATIONS: Make connections with each
other, not gifts, the focus. What are most
meaningful, sustainable, memorable ways to
connect with each other? Nature strolls, making
food together, making gifts together, bringing
food gifts to wildlife, unhurried time for
relaxed conversations, honoring the seasonal
changes, appreciation circles, games, reviewing
photos and mementos from the last year,
meaningfully relating to our larger family, which
has so much less privilege than we do...
SPIRIT/MEANING: Take time to reflect on the real
meaning of this time of year, and whichever of
the holidays moves you... share the meaning and
the joys behind different rituals, traditions and
holidays.. share favorite inspirational ideas,
rituals, songs Go to uplifting performances
(many are free!),sing-alongs,and services.
SHOPPING/SPENDING Make it a challenge game to
substantially reduce the amount of shopping and
spending each year. Be sure to graciously notify,
well in advance, friends and relatives who this
may impact so it's a sensitive collaborative
process, with no hurt feelings necessary.
TRAVEL: Make it a challenge game to connect and
enjoy more, and travel less, esp. on planes and
alone in a car
SELF-CARE: Commit to making this time a renewing,
rebalancing time, even though it's great to
immerse in family and community
connectedness.Imagine doing the holidays in
joyful moderation and elegant simplicity, at
least some of the timeWalk together after big
meals....Listen to your feelings, find out what
you really need, then ask for what you need or
give it to yourself. .....Don't fool yourself
into thinking you're the only person who feels
isolated and lonely when that happens. This is a
very common holiday experience that you share
with many, many others; so don't get too lost in
self-pity. Reach out or reach in!
DECORATIONS:
Trees: Get a tree from as close a tree farm as
possible- support a local farmer.Buy a live tree
with an appropriate location in mind for spring
planting.Decorate a tree near your home ..Make a
tree from dead poles or branches covered with
vines and/or greens.... have a ornament making
party
Menorahs: Make or bake your own
Lighting: LED string lights are extremely energy
saving and now widely available.
GIFTS:
o Think of each other's p r e s e n c e
as the main gift we are giving each other by
taking time to be together in unhurried ways on
the holidays. Commit to being less busy this time
around, as a gift to your loved ones and your
world. This holiday season, GIVE PRESENCE .
o Give gifts from materials you re-use or
recycle- turn old calendars into gift boxes,
t-shirts into distinctive fashion items, old
pants into handbags, color magazine pages into
rolled beads, aluminum can tabs into earrings,
old paper soaked, beaten and dried into fancy
stationery, etc.
o Give homemade gifts. Consider if its
something the person will really value and enjoy
or use. Include things you have grown or gathered
from nature.
o Give gifts that support local businesses
(farmers, artists, craftspeople, etc.)
o Give energy gifts (a massage, a special
meal, mow your lawn, make your bed.) Give the
gift with an attractive "voucher" or certificate,
or a number of smaller energy gifts in a coupon
book. Give a gift of shared experiences- a
special performance, outing or dinner.
o Give a gift that contributes to a cause
that the person cares deeply about.
o Go to the Alternative Gift Fair (too late
this year). Give to a local cause of your choice
that will also have meaning for the peron you're
gifting.
o Do without purchased gift giving (or any
gift giving) altogether (perhaps with just one
subset of your relationships). Ideally, make it a
conscious shared process well in advance to avoid
misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
o Reduce the number of gifts given. Do
"lottery" gift giving, where you randomly chose
one person in your family or social group who
will get a gift from you, making sure everyone
gets one gift. Set up gift exchanges in your
group by lottery. Agree as a group on a number
limit (and/or a spending limit) of gifts to be
given.
o Give gifts without wrapping, or with
reusable fabric wrapping, or with recycled or
homemade wrapping.
--
Elan Shapiro
Sustainable Living Associates
Frog's Way B&B
211 Rachel Carson Way
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell
"Be the change we want to see in the world"
Mohandas Gandhi
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