How’s the Christmas shopping going? Bags and boxes piling up? What about the angst? Yuletide stress? Feeling the need to drink heavily yet?
I’m actually doing pretty good with the whole she-bang and in honour of this remarkable moment, which may or may not last, I’m going to share some of my new coping mechanisms.
One: Baby it’s cold outside!
Get outside no matter what it’s doing. If it’s raining, snowing, sleeting, sunny, hot or cold, just head out and suck in big lungfuls of air. You must walk with no purpose except the act of walking. This is not on-the-way to do something on that list (see below).
Do not think walking briskly in the mall is the same thing. It is not. For this to work you need to be in real air. The kind with oxygen bubbles from trees and flapping birds skittering overhead. That kind of oxygen.
Two: Cut the list down!
Martha has staff. You do not.
Do you really need to bake cookies? Really??
Would the world end if you didn’t send out cards? Be realistic about what you can accomplish.
And when in doubt? Stop. Rest. Crazy suggestion huh? I’ve been trying this to great effect. I book only one or two extra activities each day. If someone asks me to do something in addition to that? Uh sorry. I’m booked. They don’t have to know I’ve booked an appointment with the tub (except now of course I’ve kind of let that slip. Oh well…).
Give Gifts Without the Box!
Give total strangers a smile. Pay someone else’s bus fare. Hold the door open for that older man. Give someone a heartfelt compliment. Give some time to a child. Give your friend an extra-strength hug.
Think about kids that are destined to have a crappy Christmas. Sadly, there are many of them.
Choose to do something: In Person or Online. With Time or Money. Matters not.
You will feel like a million bucks if you do this. I promise. Might even be the start of your best new Christmas tradition…ever!
A few ideas to think about:
- Kiva.org is a gift that keeps on giving. Year after year, your initial investment gets reinvested in lives. Fabulous organization.
- KidSafe provides meals and suport to inner-city school kids (age five to thirteen) who might otherwise be hungry, scared and alone when school is out. Excellent program that has been around for twenty years.
- Aunt Leah’s Place helps Vancouver-area youth in foster care to make the transitition to being independent. When foster kids turn 19, they are suddenly on their own. No home to return to at Christmas, no where to belong, no one that cares where or what they’re doing… Aunt Leah’s is there to help.
- Soup Sisters is another great organization that is all about win-win. You toss them $50.00, you get a chance to make a fabulous new soup with a guest chef and, along with other guests, you not only eat your creation but share a big wholesome batch with some very deserving local charities. What says love better than a big bowl of homemade soup?
It really doesn’t matter which charity you pick for your giving. Many communities have hospice society fundraisers or encourage community members to bring an unwrapped toy so that every child has a chance to experience Christmas.
The most important idea is to pick something that resonates with you and then do it!
And please, if you’d like to share other great charity ideas, add your comments here or on my Facebook Page.
Yes, what you said. We no longer give many material gifts (besides books), I prefer buying tickets for shows, concerts, passes, gift certs to restaurants. And yes, one need not bake cookies – especially when the nearest local bakery does such a sweet job of it. The Women’s Prison Book Project is a favorite charity, as is my neighborhood library.
Hi Sarah, I like giving the gift of experiences or foodie things too. I just read through the Women’s Prison Book Project. I’m so glad that something like that exists. The sad part, like any of these charities, is that the need exists at all. Sigh…
Great post Colleen! If I can put a good word in for the El Triunfo School Project in Guatemala that would be great! It is a project that enables children to attend school in a remote area of Guatemala, and in a country where the child mortality rate, malnutrition and illiteracy rate are among the world’s highest, this project (managed by my good friend Ken McGuffin who volunteers countless hours and commits his personal monies to manage) makes a real difference. Donations are handled through Pueblito but you can read about the project here: http://guatemalaschool.wordpress.com
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Michele, Thanks for adding this link. El Trinunfo School Project looks fabulous. It’s so important to give every child a chance.
It’s so nice to have a personal connection and endorsement on something like this. Merriest Christmas Ever!
Heifer International has always been one of my favorites. When my large extended family was still doing a gift exchange name drawing, I both requested and gave the gift of a Heifer donation several times. Look here, it’s www.Heifer.org.
Thanks for this link Mandy. Heifer looks like a great organization. I loved reading their beliefs that included gender equality in decision- making and how the donation is paid forward.
I will post a link on my FB page with an organization in Canada that is sort of like a Better Business Bureau for charities so a donor can check where and how their money is spent. I’m not sure what the similar thing would be in the U.S. but it’s always good to make sure the charity you’re working with is a reputable one.
It is quite obvious in looking at Heifer that you don’t need to do that step 🙂 They have transparent accounting and years of good work behind them. Thanks for this tip!