This is what it's all about, isn't it? - finding
meaning in the gifts we give... that echoes the
meaning of the season. Meaningful gift ideas
abound - but some of us might need help with this,
so sick are we of the commercialization of such
inherently meaningful holidays (holy-days) as
Christmas and Hanukkah.
It may be more and more difficult to counteract
the "Shopping Days Until..." syndrome in our busy
lives, making us more and more inclined to
Bah-Humbugness... or just forgetfulness. Even
those who only wish to celebrate the solstice may
have trouble digging down to the substance of the
season’s import.
Whether what seems to be lost is a religious
sense, family togetherness, or simple joy in
gift-giving and receiving between special friends,
many of us have desires that aren’t being
fulfilled at Christmastime.
...So how can we help each other out? There are
as many answers as people, of course. Ideas...
Taking someone to hear a Christmas oratorio.
Arranging for far-flung family members to get
together for a Hanukkah celebration. Resurrecting
old family traditions (why not make a
gingerbread house when you’re an adult?). Carving
out space in busy schedules for quiet enjoyment or
rousing jubilation. A CD or tape of favorite
carols. A wonderful book of Christmas stories. A
star.
For the person who has everything - a
grandmother, perhaps, who is quite content with
what she has and just wants everyone to be happy
and honor what she's taught her family - consider
a Raft of Kind Deeds as the present: Each
person in the family will send a card or letter to
Grandma detailing their experiences with the kind
deeds they've chosen to perform on her behalf.
(Really, it's on their own behalf, of course...)
Other such out-of-the-box ideas may take fire and
become traditions that come into play in following
years. ...Such as: Tell your loved ones that
your gift to all of them is that you
will perform a "random act of kindness" for
someone else on their behalf.
In fact, why not have a "surprise kindness party"?
- like a scavenger party, where people are sent
out in teams to round up randomly assigned
objects, but these teams would go out into the
town to perform acts of kindness... and then
report back on their experiences. I bet they'll
return filled with joy! - and will never
forget the delight of gift-giving-on-the-fly.
Little things are powerful... Maybe you'll even
start a movement that will change the world.
