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12/03/2008: "Let's celebrate..."

Time of Celebration
For those of us who celebrate Christmas this season is really about celebrating Christ, as well as all that he stands for. For others, there are other reasons for celebrating, religious or not. I think this act of celebration is important, because it helps us to remember what’s important, and brings joy into our lives. It spices up life, and who doesn’t need a little merry-making in their life? I love the traditions that come along with this season. Yours may be different, of course, but these traditions become important, no matter how small.

A Time for Giving
Receiving gifts is always fun, of course, as is giving lots of gifts. But this season of giving doesn’t have to be about buying in order to give. You can make things, for example … or better yet, you can give in other ways:

* Volunteer for charity. We do this with our kids, from Salvation Army bell ringing (lots of fun because you sing carols and give people candy) to cooking and serving food for the homeless. It teaches the kids a lot about giving, and warms your heart to help others.
* Do something nice for people you love. Wash their car, do chores or errands for them, babysit so they can go on a date, cook them their favorite dish or treat, help them with a project.
* If you have a lot of money to burn (as it seems with all the spending we do!), give it to someone who needs it more. Donate to a good cause.

What’s consumerism? Basically, equating happiness with material goods. Buying in order to bring happiness and solve problems. Spending more and more — and earning more and more to support the spending — in order to realize the dreams given to us by advertising and a consumerist society.
It’s good for the economy but bad for the individual. We end up in an endless cycle of spending and debt and working more and more, and end up with lives filled with goods but empty of meaning and happiness.

So what’s the solution? Well the simple solution is to stop spending, to find other ways to give and to celebrate. But often that requires some changing of deeply-held traditions, and some uncomfortable discussions among families and friends. It means agreeing to do things differently, and perhaps being seen as a weirdo for doing so. It can be done. We just need to realize that this season is not about buying stuff. It’s about celebrating, giving, spending time with family, reflecting, and gratitude.

Replies: 9 Comments

Great picture of mom and dad!!

Kim and Clark said on Thursday, December 11th @ 08 :26 AM CST

That would be GREAT
Grandma Heald (Papa's Mom) but I believe it and remember visiting her very young in Davenport but help me out here Mom I remember the wonderful knitted socks ever year but am wondering how long she did do that? An amazing woman just like my mother so must run in the family!

Kelly said on Friday, December 5th @ 10 :46 PM CST

And besides, sometimes reliving old traditions and experiences are what make Christmas so special. My Grandma Culver still leaves a jar of pickles for me and canned peaches for Beth... something she started when we were little and it still holds meaning today.

Erin said on Friday, December 5th @ 10 :16 AM CST

Hey, I would be happy to uphold the Grandma Heald tradition... but boy, knitting takes so much time! Even small projects like a hat take at least two days (I am not fast by any means). It is fun and enjoyable though. SO far many of my projects have gotten rave reviews. I knit for my friends when they have babies, and one of them liked the petal hat I made so much that she commissioned me to make her three more in different colors! And I was worried that she would think the knitted stuff was weird... SHE LOVED IT!

Erin said on Friday, December 5th @ 10 :14 AM CST

If Erin starts knitting for everyone it will be just like having Grandma Heald back!

Kay said on Friday, December 5th @ 08 :30 AM CST

I too love that we "make" our gifts. I also love that we have decided to do more with pictures because those of use not near can feel near by seeing our families every day (I also just love photos). It has never been about quantity or size but heart felt thought- and that has set the tradition that we so look forward to- Beth's calendar, Kelly's caramel corn, Karen's CD, Kevin's cheese, Farley's thematic concoctions and all the other wonderful gifts we receive (I still have my prayer rock from Matty). The DiSanto Christmas is wonderful just the way it is- giving from the heart!

La said on Friday, December 5th @ 12 :26 AM CST

That's why I love that our family makes gifts... those are the gifts that have true meaning because they take time, not necessarily money, to be able to give. When I tell others that we do this, they all think it is the coolest thing. David's family doesn't really do any gifts, other than for the kids, and I told David that as long as I am around I will try to find something I can make to give. We are thinking beef jerky and trail mix this year... something simple that isn't too fattening. And I am even starting to make homemade gifts for my immediate family and have been doing some knitting... next year I will plan further out so I can knit something for everyone on my list.

Something else you can do that I have done before is donating time at local food banks... you basically organize canned and boxed goods that get distributed to shelters, churches, and people who need it. It is certainly not hard and just a couple of hours really helps them out.

And Kelly, I am with you. Last year I really wanted to bring home the point that Christmas was about the birth of Christ... living in the South sometimes brings out the religion in you. When I lived in Winston, I got to experience a Moravian Love Feast in a Moravian church with a friend and it was a truly moving service. They also hang Moravian stars outside that are truly gorgeous and represent the star of Bethlehem. You don't take it down until the Jan. 6, the date believed to be the birth and baptism of Jesus. I have one, but cannot figure out how to put the darn thing together.

Erin said on Thursday, December 4th @ 09 :39 AM CST

AMEN! I tell you what this holiday has been FAR to commercialized for many a years, let a lone the true meaning. I for one will not be spending this year. Thinking of creative ways between giving to others....having the uncomfortable discussions. But to me and always has been for a few years the TRUE meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus! And yes not about buying, but that of giving personally not monetarily, spending time with family. So don't expect alot from this end.....tired of stressing over this holiday that has LOST IT'S MEANING a long time ago. And that's it from me.....

Kelly said on Wednesday, December 3rd @ 05 :41 PM CST

For our classroom Advent project we are collecting items for the Baby closet at the church. It's a great way to associate it to the baby Jesus with the kids and Kam and Kels get to contribute.

Sue said on Wednesday, December 3rd @ 05 :10 AM CST