The word around our house this holiday season is simplicity. We are making a conscious effort to pare down the excess that we are normally swept up in with the holidays and focus our attention on the things that really matter to us and to God.
We are putting up fewer decorations, choosing only the ones that are meaningful to us or bring us joy. James and I aren't really getting much for each other and we are beginning a new tradition of four gifts for the kids (plus stocking stuffers): something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. We are putting our gift-buying/making resources into our friends, family, and people who could use an extra helping hand.
I can honestly say that I had more fun shopping for our Angel Tree gifts and Heartland Hearts gifts than I did shopping for most of my family! Our motto as a family related to giving or sharing of our time, talent and treasure is, "when in doubt, give extravagantly." It is not a truly altruistic action on our part, we give of ourselves in that way because it makes us feel good. It makes us feel closer to Jesus. It makes us feel closer to each other.
While on the subject of gifts, something that is close to my heart and many of yours is finding ways to give responsibly. That can mean giving environmentally conscious gifts, buying locally when possible, buying and using less packaging that ends up in landfills (many companies are trying to reduce the amount of packaging with their items), or buying from companies using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Google eco-friendly gifts and you will find a ton of resources. Here are a few I found or have used:
http://mightynest.com
http://www.oompa.com
http://thesoftlanding.com - this is a local Kansas City company run by several sisters
http://www.theglassbabybottle.com
http://safemama.com/toyguide2012/
Giving responsibly can also mean giving gifts that were made without the use of slave labor, or better yet, gifts that benefit after-care programs for people rescued from slavery. Thank you Christa Copenhaver for your passion in this area in particular. Christa has created a Pinterest board dedicated to this effort.
Tara Gazaway brought up a great blog post written by the author Jen Hatmaker. The post is amazing and has a ton of great links for buying/giving gifts that are slavery free and/or benefit people rescued from slavery. Check out her post here. Jen mentions the Advent Conspiracy, a book/project I highly recommend you at least check out. She also has the International Justice Mission on her list of organizations you can support and I can't say enough great things about this organization and their mission. I had the privilege of hearing a couple of their members speak while in law school and at our church in Cincinnati. They are AMAZING and their passion for people is nothing short of captivating.
An organization I would add to Jen's list: Kiva - we have been micro-lending for several years and have been amazed by the way a few dollars here and there can help a person half-way around the world (or now in our backyard) make something they are proud of that sustains their family and community.
There are also opportunities to give through organizations like Compassion International and Heifer International. The one caution I offer related to organizations like those is the potential for hurting instead of helping by giving a family an animal they do not have the resources to feed or care for. These organizations do amazing things and have wonderful missions, not all related to giving large livestock to families so definitely check them out, but be aware of the potential drawbacks.
As with anything, there is no one right way, there is no resource or organization that has it right 100% of the time, there is no perfect toy that is environmentally friendly, produced and shipped with the lowest possible carbon footprint, made/packaged/shipped with 100% guaranteed humane labor practices by a company that is above reproach. That is where grace enters in - nothing is perfect, none of us are perfect, that is the beauty of Jesus and the reason we celebrate whole-heartedly this season.
I pray for a restful, joyful, life-giving season of celebration for each one of you!
- Katrina Kanary
