Love Came Down At Christmas Time

The busyness of Christmas has taken hold, and folks are starting the shopping frenzy that seems to mark this season. Over the years, I've evolved into the anti-consumer. Sure, I buy gifts for the kiddos in my life, but for offers I believe in clutter free and something that will benefit others.
I've managed to avoid the mobs at the mall, keep my sanity and bless others. I'm tired of the stressed out folks cutting in line, being rude to sales folk (would you tolerate people treating you like that at your job?) and otherwise forgetting how to behave civilly. Several years ago I made the conscious decision to reclaim my holiday season and jettison all the garbage.
I will use my values and morals as a guidepost for shopping. My personal mission statement is summed up in Matthew 25:31-45.
Feed the hungry
Clothe the naked
Visit the sick and imprisoned
Bury the dead
When I decided to follow my bliss a few years ago and work on eliminating stress, it all fell into place. No one on my list needs a particular hand cream, or wine glass charm or what not. I certainly didn't need the mall.
I decided to share what I would have given as clutter, and bless others. It was pretty darn easy too.
One of my favorite go to catalog is Gifts for Life, from Episcopal Relief & Development. (http://www.er-d.org/GiftsForLife/). It features things you can buy, from chickens and goats to micro loans for women. There are a variety of price points, with many options under $25.
Heifer International also offers similar sustainable projects, via their website and catalog ( http://heifer.org/).
You can donate to any charity in someone's name. What jazzes them? Do they love kids? I'm a huge advocate for Ronald McDonald House. Ive delivered casseroles and baked goods to them on a regular basis for the last 7 years now. They have a wish list of supplies needed or you could just give in honor of someone (http://www.ronaldmcdonaldsouthdakota.org/).
My other passion are animals. Shelters always are looking for donations-food, toys, money. If you have an animal lover on your list, what a great way to honor them! (http://www.sfhumanesociety.com/)
If they or their family have been touched by a particular disease, donate to an organization in their honor. (http://www.komensouthdakota.org/)
Are they a gardener? Plant a tree in their honor (http://www.arborday.org/shopping/donations/orderGeneral.cfm)
Want to prevent a species from going extinct? Adopt one! (http://www.worldwildlife.org/mobile/adopt/) or buy a zoo membership (http://www.gpzoo.org/)
Are they arts lovers? Buy a membership to a local museum. (https://boxoffice.washingtonpavilion.org/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=4FAA9954-52EC-4713-8205-9D50CEF52E35&menu_id=630E7061-61B1-4EDC-9AC7-4730DBBA3AFF)
Gourmands? Donate to a food related charity (http://www.feedingsouthdakota.org/help)
If you feel compelled to buy something tangible as a gift, there are a few thoughts:
Ten Thousand Villages offer opportunities for sustainable living in the emerging world (http://siouxfalls.tenthousandvillages.com/)by selling native craftwork.
By purchasing goods from One.org you are making the end of AIDS a reality. You are also helping realize the vision of the Millenium Development Goals (http://one.shop.musictoday.com/)
There are so many ways to bless others, give a gift and end consumerism craziness.
Love does come down at Christmas Time