On the Third Day of a Feminine Christmas

This was me writing my list yesterday.  Fortunately, we have a lovely little  shop in my town which offers simple and charming gifts at no-guilt prices.  Susan always has just the thing in her tiny store for girlfriends, sisters, daughters and mothers.

Even though they are believers, there are many who are decidedly anti-Christmas.  I’m not one of them.  But the flood of a certain jewelry store’s TV ads can set my teeth on edge and have me rethinking the whole thing.

Years ago, I recall the cry of the grown-ups in my life who said that Christmas had become too commercialized.  And I wonder, what would they think now?  Every industry has capitalized on Christmas and the holiday is Big Business.  What bothers me most is the frenzy it can cause in the heart of this average woman who just loves the season, the giving, the lore, and still holds close the main reason for the season. So how do we turn the Christmas machine off and enjoy simple pleasures and joys and claim them for our own?

One way is shopping in places which have values aligned with our own.  Stores that carry well-crafted, meaningful gifts, that don’t cost an arm and a leg.  Bubble bath that helps a dear friend to slow down, a knit scarf to warm the neck of a niece that works in a cold city, a crystal beaded bracelet for a mother who still loves her bling, hot cocoa mix for a fiendish co-worker who can’t get enough chocolate.  I could go on…The thread is that the gifts are thoughtful, whimsical…think things in small boxes that say something special to your giftee, such as, “I see who you are inside”.

So while you are writing out your gift list, shut off the TV and listen to some beautiful ancient Christmas carols instead.  Have a warm cup of tea and a cookie.  Really think about the ones you are buying for.  And if you come to see me, I’ll take you to Susan’s and I guarantee that together, we will check off that Christmas list.