Sustainable Holidays

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Permalink Reply by Susie-Q on November 28, 2007 at 10:54am

I love my neighborhood! We're about 23 houses and at the holidays we meet at Dan's house where he plays his piano and we all sing songs together. Everyone brings a little something to eat. It is a wonderful way to create community where you live and get to know your neighbors a little better. I love singing and I witness music, live music, creating communities and bonding people in a very real way all the time. It breaks down inhibitions, is loads of fun and allows folks to BE with each other. Bringing music into the home has revolutionized family life and community for me in an age when most people's relationship to music is electronic. And let me stress that I'm not much good at my instrument and an average singer. It is so much fun! And the kids don't care. Leave ALL judgements at the door.

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Permalink Reply by Layla on November 28, 2007 at 10:59am

My mom and I have decided we are going to make donations to organizations we care about this year, as gifts for our family members, in lieu of buying "stuff" that no one needs. I like your thought...that the best gift we can give is our being there and being present and being together. Enjoy the holidays.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Ridley on November 28, 2007 at 12:11pm

Thanks for your inspiring ideas! I love your ideas of singing with neighbors and bringing music into the house.
For years, we've hosted a neighborhood bonfire and potluck on the solstice and someone usually starts singing, which is magical.

Layla, what great gifts you're giving! Are you and your mom choosing organizations together? Last year my husband's family decided to give to Heifer International and we asked our 7 young nieces to choose the particular projects. It was wonderful.

Kim

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Permalink Reply by Layla on November 28, 2007 at 12:15pm

Hi Kim!

I think we will each choose organizations that are especially meaningful to us. I support a variety of different animal organizations so I think I might "adopt" animals for my family. :) Farm animals, probably. Heifer International is a wonderful option. I wish we had more of a community neighborhood...we don't really seem to have those kinds of neighbors. Another gift I might give is The Omnivore's Dilemma, the book by Michael Pollan. If you have not read it I really recommend it.

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Permalink Reply by Bioneers on November 28, 2007 at 2:04pm

New Mexico, where I live, has a longstanding tradition of Christmas Eve "luminarias" that brings community together, encourages exercise, and focuses on something beyond consumption.

Many folks create luminarias by pouring sand in paper lunch bags and then placing a votive candle inside. It's a big ordeal requiring the help of at least 1 or 2 other people.

On Christmas Eve, they're lit. Some neighborhoods come together to light luminarias en masse creating whole boulevards all lit by firelight. With my family and friends, I like to walk the boulevard with hot cocoa (or champagne ;-) in hand saying hello to everyone else out for a similar stroll.

[More information on luminarias]

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Permalink Reply by Rosanne Beaurivage on November 29, 2007 at 11:16am

My first thought is to opt-out of the consumer consumption and focus on gratitude for all I DO have and share the attitude of gratitude with others...in more small ways than large. My goal is to be a better person than I was last year;To strive to be more aware of divine love and peace manifesting it as best I can. I have to change if I want others to do the same. The season is an opportune time to practice!
It may mean I stop criticizing the black sheep of the family and forgive myself when I digress.
This is reset time, if culture of consumerism sets me off- I need to learn to be less judgemental and more compassionate. It means staying away from a lot of media and marketing and seeking quiet time and contemplation, or simply changing my perception when I am hearing "Frosty the Snowman" for the 100th time and choosing to feel loving and l peaceful . Remembering to be kind in traffic, kind in the checkout line, to smile at a stranger and remember each of us is a child of God.

I write to many who have shared this journey with me, usually a year in review letter. I really enjoy reaching out to the long list of significant others, and it puts the year to rest.

And for the family members who can't see past the gift giving and over indulgences, I am slowly making peace with that and going along with their way...as a loving gesture. I do not match dollar for dollar and I re-gift and donate what I do not need. I tithe to charities and am generous with tips.
I too think time with others, especially those that bring out the best in us is will sustain us in what ever tradition we celebrate. So I phone, write or visit with those that light up my heart.

One more thing, taking the time to visit the sick and old, even strangers, is as important as any monetary donation. This population gets forgotten in the holiday rush and adds to their isolation. Taking the time to write, call or visit ...giving time, is kindness multiplied. Eat a meal at the hospital on Christmas Eve and share a table and a kind word...or bring the extra cookies to someone who has no visitors.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Ridley on November 29, 2007 at 2:22pm

Hi Rosanne,

Thank you for your wonderful insights into compassion in action--including accepting family members' ways instead of trying to change them!

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Permalink Reply by Calliope on November 29, 2007 at 5:09pm

Kim, it's wonderful how you started with the question of how to get time and Roseanne has brought the conversation around to giving time, or, more accurately, taking time to give time.

The thing that happens to me around the holidays is the calendar fills up, then overfills, with all the invitations, obligations, expectations and annual traditions. Maybe it's a good idea to add "give time and attention" to that list. And to make room by asking of everything that goes on the calendar, "Can this thing be about giving time and attention?" And getting it too.

And I like thinking of the letter-writing and contacting "the long list of significant others" as "putting the year to rest".

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Permalink Reply by Kim Ridley on November 30, 2007 at 3:44pm

Yes! What a wonderful question to ask of each commitment. And how about putting "give time and attention" at the top of the list?

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Permalink Reply by Sandy on December 5, 2007 at 10:01pm

I'm still using the same Christmas tree I bought in 1981 for $10 (with lights and decorations) at a grocery store that was trying to get rid of all their store decorations on Christmas Eve. My husband and I were going out of town on Christmas Day so I had not bothered to get a tree, and I suspect everyone else in the store that wanted a tree already had one. The store manager kept marking the price down and announcing the new lower price over the loudspeaker so when he reached about $10 I could not resist. I had an fuel efficient Toyota Corolla so it took forever to disassemble the tree and pack it into my little car. But here it is 2007, and now we have a family with teenagers, but we are still using that same tree and it looks great. I don't do a lot for the holidays but over the years we have saved a lot of money and live trees by using that discount artificial tree for over 20 years.

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Permalink Reply by Jen on December 12, 2007 at 12:05am

Some friends and I just did a holiday scavenger hunt for a local non-profit that helps homeless youth. We went together to Goodwill and had a blast digging through stuff that may have barely missed the landfill in search of blankets and sleeping bags still in good condition - the fleece blankets weren't the only warm and fuzzies we brought home that day. As we do our Christmas shopping, we are keeping them in mind. We picked the non-profit on Alchemlist and I think we are going to make the scavenger hunt / donation drive a new holiday tradition. Holidays is also very much a time that amidst the chaos, I remember to reconnect with friends and family. I was going to make Christmas cards this year but ran out of time and ended up settling for buying ones at least printed on recycled paper. I try to get gifts made by local artisans and from companies that represent my values as much as possible (hazlenut oil for the foodies, Theo Chocolate, locally made candles, etc.).

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Permalink Reply by Susie-Q on December 18, 2007 at 9:53am

Well how great! A creative Bioneer called me yesterday to order some DVDs and explained to me that she was sending them as gifts this holiday to friends who would be responsive to their messages. And instead of sending her a gift in return, she is requesting they send a contribution to Bioneers!

What a thoughtful way to spread good news this holiday!

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