***Editor’s note: This column was originally published in The Kewanee Voice Holiday Herald print edition.
The holidays are upon us. Are you ready??
It is quite common to experience the emergence of one holiday celebration before the last one has ended. Forget fall décor or decorative skeletons by mid October. Those spots are now full of candy canes, Santa swags and cranberry candles. In fact, finding a shelf of Thanksgiving plates and napkins during November requires a hunting expedition involving you and several store employees wearing headlamps.
And, we rush about. Cards to address and mail. Trees to select and erect. Mantels and windows to decorate. Cookies to bake. Candy to make. And presents. Oh my, presents. There are a few people who start this process early in the year, and by the end of trick or treating, they have all the packages filled and waiting for the big morning reveal. I’m not one of those people. In fact, I’m what you might call a PPP (Perpetual Present Procrastinator). Although the Christmas holiday always occurs on the same day, I am always surprised that it snuck upon me so quickly.
And let’s face it. All those early, organized planners are just too lazy to rush about red faced and exhausted by December’s end. At least I tell myself that.
To confirm my theory that there are many PPPs in the country, I recently took my own poll of 10,000 shoppers at a major gas station/convenience store near here. I discovered that over half were loading last minute snacks, batteries and Hostess mini donuts into their carts. The rest were buying wine. Actually, all of them were buying wine. I felt validated. Enough so to buy my annual $2.00 lottery ticket. And some donuts. The ones covered with that great chocolate paraffin coating. They pair great with a Chardonnay.
In my younger days, a/k/a ancient times, I enjoyed all the holiday fare and flair. Staying up past midnight to put together the latest tricycle or Barbie item was exciting. However, as the children and grandchildren grew, and my friends and siblings began to age, the idea of tangible gift giving grew less of an issue. Those “seasoned” people in my circle all tell me that they don’t want or need “stuff” anymore.
And the younger set seems to prefer the small plastic rectangles used for shopping or the larger green paper ones to pajamas, jigsaw puzzles, underwear, socks and framed photos of me that I used to provide them. And I simply cannot stay up past midnight anymore. Last year, the flat, magnetic $1 flashlights were a hit with the young adults. Who knew?
Because I still prefer to include a wrapped item along with the card or cash, I find small items to include in gift bags. Gloves, hats, ornaments, a bobble or two, or wine seem to be good choices for those over 21. As I may have mentioned earlier, wine seems to be a welcome treat for most. Being made from fruit, it can be safely categorized as a food group. I think it also keeps the “jolly” in the season for many. Unless, of course, the gas station/convenience store runs out of it.
But holidays aren’t jolly for everyone. With such abundance in many of our lives, it’s easy to overlook those with less during the season. The recent changes in the government’s willingness to feed those considered “food insecure” have brought about a grassroots surge to provide meals for those who would otherwise go hungry. Food drives are advertised in the paper and on Facebook. Churches, schools and community organizations are collecting items for food pantries everywhere. In this land of plenty, it seems ludicrous that anyone should go hungry. It is wonderful to see our communities stepping up to fill a huge and hungry void. It does take a village.
Toy drives are announced. People are encouraged to donate gently used toys to thrift stores so that families will have gifts for children this year. Organizations are creating “Love” or “Angel” trees that allow people to choose specific clothing and personal items for children in their town.
Food baskets are delivered to shut-ins and those with little income. Packed and delivered by local organizations, they are often assisted by students who learn firsthand about the benefits of giving.
Nonprofits need contributions to carry on the work of caring for those in need. Requests from many will make their way into your mailbox. Open them. Giving a donation could make a difference in whether an agency can provide food, clothing, heat, counseling or transportation to needy clients. It can also do double duty. Giving in a loved one’s name does two things. It helps the organization do good work, and it’s a great way to give a gift to someone who doesn’t need “stuff.” Honoring a loved one this way shares the spirit of the holiday with them and with someone in need.
As for me, I still have last year’s cards in a box, along with a half written holiday letter. I’ve had a few small items delivered to my door, and the concept of a plan to go shopping is developing. One of these days. I promise. Maybe I will be ready this year. If you wish to join my “PPP” club, please do. And bring wine.
If you need ideas for making the holidays happy and safe for loved ones and those less fortunate, consider donating to the following organizations. And, ready or not, have a Merry Christmas!
• Abilities Plus, Inc.
• Freedom House, Illinois
• The Kewanee Salvation Army
• Galva Lions Club Empty Stocking Fund
• Galva Beta Sigma Phi Love Tree
• Any local food pantry
