homemade xmas

this year, i figured that most of the gifts i give this year will be handmade.
this has become a lost art and it's a terrible thing. our culture has escalated this season of love warmth and harmony into an out of control holiday about crazy out doing each other and seeing how much money we can spend.
what's this 'money' you speak of? i certainly don't have it at this time of year, or at any other time of year.
to some, a playstation 3; expensive perfume; gift cards or a huge piece of jewelry encrusted in diamonds and gold is most preferred. how does that say that someone loves you? that they were willing to go into debt to give you something extravagant?
i find it sad that handmade gifts are perceived as a cheap and unimpressive way to give. on the contrary, this means more than anything. i know thought and care has gone into what was given to me. in fact, it was probably made with me in mind and the person making it gave a lot of thought about what to do..

i think we should change our ways of thinking.
here's some ideas:

-give to a charity in the names of your loved ones. adopt an endangered animal ( keeping in mind a charity that they believe in) simply give them a card stating the donation and attach some home baked cookies. voila.
-have a dinner party. having the people around you that mean to most should make the season brighter.
-if you're skilled at something. (ie. fixing a car, cooking, plumbing, computer savvy...etc..) give your skills as a gift. make a little coupon card and put 'this is good for one...insert your skill here....'
-a recipe book of your/their/family faves
-a ready to bake cookie kit (put all the ingredients, minus the wet ones, into an air tight container, add a list of directions..voila)
-homemade jams, sauces, pickles etc...put in a decorative basket..
-personalized calenders with dates important to that particular person
-this might take a bit of planning-- a memory jar- ask the people that care for the particular person to write something (or a few things) nice/a memory/ tidbit about them, even photos of people, places, things. put them on little cards in the a decorative jar. when they're feeling low or just need a boost, they'll pick out a card, read it and have a smile.

we all have too much, i think it's time to give back to those who need 'stuff' more than we do.
make yourself happy as well as the people around you. give a bit more thought, and less money this year.
try it, you might like it.
i know i'm going to.

here's something that makes me happy.

think about it.