Editor’s note: This is one in a series of educational columns fostering environmental stewardship and leadership coordinated by ACES – The Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards.
First, pause and take a breath. Realize that all the pressure you may be feeling to buy this or that new toy for the kiddos or meet some perceived gift expectations of your family loved ones, while still balancing your budget and your time, is all self-imposed. The pressure of this seasonal insecurity is two or three times what it is during nonholiday times.
Why? Because a huge amount of advertising is directed at you every minute of your waking day. Already, we have the music in the stores, your favorite country station only playing holiday carols, your neighbor’s gaudy plastic lawn decorations, and every piece of mail, email and text urging you to buy more and buy better.
The admen and influencers come after you in two ways. First, they try to promote insecurity that your gifts might not be good enough, that others may give more than you do, and that whatever you give is not the latest and greatest. Ah, the shame of the diminished gift.
The second thing they do it is to paint a picture of that future happiness your gift will provide, some aspirational goal, that family trip to New York, that set of new skis for the kids, and the image of how good they’ll look skiing on them.
Instead of providing holiday peace and happiness, this commercialism, which has hit a peak in our day and age, makes us insecure in our giving and suggests we can only be happy by buying and giving more. It’s unnecessary, unhealthy and not good for the environment.
So, let’s get started together toward a more peaceful and happier holiday.
First, take that breath and realize that you, your family and friends already have most of what is really needed to be happy. A few good friends, life in a nice community, and an annual opportunity to renew your own spiritual grounding. Remember that most of us are already blessed and that likely includes you!
Then, adopt a few strategies for a happier and less expensive holiday for you and your loved ones. We’ll call these strategies your “4 ACES” so you can’t lose. Remember, it’s the thought that you put into your gift selections that makes them meaningful. It’s not the number and price that counts.
ACES 1. Think of something to make as a gift for that special person. Knit them a scarf, a sweater or bake them holiday cookies. Or, make a donation to an animal shelter in their name.
ACES 2. Shop in vintage and thrift stores. Look for some vintage trading cards, a bomber jacket from the ‘80s or used sports gear. Buy an old vinyl album and a mounting frame designed especially to enhance the album’s appearance and bring back memories of their first dance or of shouting out the album’s words as a teenager. Cut up last year’s Christmas cards to make gift labels.
ACES 3. Give the gift of time. Offer to detail their car, take them on a food safari for specialty items in Lawrence, or baby sit their kids, or walk their dog. Most people’s time is under pressure, too, so giving the gift of time is an especially a good gift.
ACES 4. Choose and decorate your tree wisely. While artificial trees that can be used for many years and may be environmentally friendly, buying a tree from a local grower is better. Our small local tree farms offer environmental benefits, absorbing carbon dioxide, providing wildlife habitat, and supplementing farm income, so farmers can keep providing local food as well. Decorate it creatively and eclectically with vintage and homemade items. Don’t have any? Organize an ornament-making party using natural items like shells, pinecones, old ribbons or driftwood.
You don’t have to be captive to the mad men’s curse of overconsumption. First, take that beat and then remember how blessed you are already and make a little plan for a happy and creative holiday season.
ACES wishes you and yours a happy and peaceful holiday season. One that’s less stressful, calmer and environmentally less expensive.
Meanwhile, we invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter on ACES’ website: www.aces-alliance.org/ Please consider joining our community of stewards committed to make every day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.