Start your engines folks; the shopping race is on! Tinsel, trees and trimmings nosed out the candy corn and scarecrows before the Halloween costumes were out of their boxes. Holiday music washed over the airways and colored lights started blinking before the Thanksgiving turkey had cooled. Shoppers were constantly encouraged to leave their families and their pumpkin pies behind in the rush to get in on the early holiday specials. The fear of losing out on a good deal hung in the air.
Stampeding through stores pre-Christmas is not my thing. While some may seek out deals with rabid zest, I avoid the chaos of Black, Brown or Blue Friday, cyber-Monday and any big box store like the plague. However, as a hardened procrastinator, I’m also surprised each year when I suddenly realize that Christmas is just around the corner. This always puts me into a slow-motion panic as all that needs to be done flashes before my eyes.
Will I get it all decided upon, purchased, signed, wrapped, marked and mailed in time to reach my deserving loved ones? Where and how often will I eat Christmas dinner? Decorations? Every year I vow to do things differently. Or at least try a new approach. Someday I might succeed. But probably not this year…
With the economy still on wobbly legs, most of my friends and I think it’s wise to make serious cutbacks in spending. However, the spirit of giving looms large with many and once again, it got me thinking about how to make this year safer and saner – not to mention a little less expensive.
Hence, my two-part “Home for the Holidays” plea is back again for 2023.
First, shop locally. For those hard-to-shop-for folks, might I suggest a gift certificate for such things as haircuts and pedicures, oil changes and gasoline, movie tickets and sports apparel, ornaments and housewares, savings bonds and magazine subscriptions, pizza coupons and ice cream treats, prescription assistance and photographs, restaurant meals and groceries, or flowers and greenery – all obtainable from local merchants. And all are needed and appreciated. Not to mention less travel time and wrapping. And buying locally keeps our businesses in town. Our merchants are asked to give much to this community in the way of donations and financial support all year long. Let’s show them we appreciate them by being good customers.
Second, give locally. Not-for-profit agencies are often in a bind. Donations have fallen off and many groups are struggling to provide needed services. Once again, my top three favorites are Freedom House, Abilities Plus, and the Henry County Humane Society. Others that matter to the well-being of so many in our community are found in our many churches, food pantries, service organizations and local charities. If everyone gave at least $25.00 to each of their top three favorites, think how much that would do to keep them afloat and effective. Put the donation in a loved one’s name and make someone else feel good, too. And let’s face it, none of us need more “stuff.” But we do need these agencies and organizations. They are the heart of this community. Without them, our quality of life would surely suffer.
This year, let’s vow to keep it simple and keep it local. Make “home for the holidays” your goal. If Christmas is for giving, let’s make certain the giving counts. It should also allow us more time to spend with friends and family (and have that pie!). And isn’t that what really matters?
