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Joy to the World: Rekindling the Spirit of the Season

© M. Williams

Wordsworth might have been foreseeing our modern day December holidays when he observed that, "getting and spending we lay waste our powers". Each year more and more importance is given to the dollar value of gifts under the tree, and with the emphasis on getting and spending, our attention is turned from the real importance of the celebration. Indeed, by early November the annual shopping melee is well under way, and as the first week of December rolls around the cash registers are noticeably picking up the tempo. Stores bulge with merchandise and shoppers, and salespeople are ready with a million reasons why anything that catches your eye would be perfect for that special someone on your list. Everything's tinsel and glitter and mass confusion. Before you know it, you're thinking less of the person you're buying for and more about just getting the whole stressful process over with.

Here are some suggestions to help you step back from the hype and rekindle the true joy of this magical time of year:

Giving from the heart
One way to shift the focus away from the overwhelming commercialism of the season is to lay down some guidelines for gift giving. Setting a price limit on presents between family members, for example, reduces the commercial emphasis and also lessens the financial burden for family members who may be feeling the strain. Oftentimes it's our the fear that there won't be enough to go around, or that our gifts will not be elaborate enough, that smothers our holiday joy. But it's the thought that counts, after all, and a small item chosen with love can bring as much delight as a large, expensive item meant to impress.

You may wish to encourage the exchange of handmade cards or gifts within your immediate family circle, as well. Creating a present by hand forces us to slow down and focus on the person who will be receiving it, and the care and energy that goes into creating such a gift tells the recipient they were thought about individually and with love. If you have young children, you'll find them especially enthusiastic about this idea. Paper, glue and a collection of household odds and ends are a treasure trove to imaginative young minds; their creativity will amaze you, and the gifts will be straight from the heart.

Honoring the earth
Mother Earth gives much for our comfort and survival, and the holidays offer us a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge her precious gifts and teach others the importance of honoring our planet. Earth oriented activities can also be a great way to enhance that special feeling of family togetherness.

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