The financial uncertainties rolling through our nation have many people re-thinking their Holiday spending habits. While it's certainly unfortunate that this is only happening because so many folks are hurting, I can't help but think that some good will result.  Perhaps we'll all benefit by taking a collective, deep breath and reining in some of the hectic, pressure-filled practices around Christmas (and Hanukah) shopping that had become the social norm in recent years.
 
Why saddle yourself with credit card debt buying things you can't really afford for people who don't really have space to store them?  Why not spend some time making inexpensive, but meaningful gifts like soap, soup or scented oils for your friends?   Or perhaps you could give away some of your favorite books.  A volume that has given you pleasure could be an extra special treasure to your pal.
 
Or take the time to send a handwritten (!!!) note to your friend(s), telling them how and why they mean so much to you.  Talk about a special gift!  At a time when our mailboxes and e-mail boxes are mostly full of junk mail, an honest-to-goodness-letter would be a rare treat for just about anyone.
 
Or you could take your cue from a fascinating organization named Redefine Christmas (www.redefinechristmas.org) which is encouraging people to give your loved ones a donation, made out in their name and sent to their favorite charity (which can be quite different from making a donation in their name to YOUR favorite charity!)
 
Or perhaps most radical of all, how about taking the time to BE with the one(s) you love, whether by phone or in person.  There's nothing that spreads the Joy of the Season quite like a loving smile or a welcoming hug.
 
In any case, thanks for taking the time to read this, and for adding your energy to the Celebration Circle.  You are truly a gift to me - and to all of us in the Circle!
 
With blessings,