Janet McNeill

<written for the North Renfrew Times in Nov. 2008>

With the changes taking place in the world’s financial system, this year is a good one to re-think that more-more-more aspect that Christmas has taken on for so many of us. Of course, we middle-class westerners represent a small proportion of the world’s peoples – millions of whom do not have the luxuries, or even the necessities! – we so take for granted. I’ve heard of families in which the adults no longer exchange gifts, but instead offer generous donations to groups like Amnesty International, Foster Parents Plan, Heifer International, Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam, or one of many local groups doing much-needed work. Inspiring idea!

Are most of us capable of change, or must we remain stuck in the “old ways” of doing things? That’s really a personal choice, isn’t it? Some of us seem to be “stick-in-the-muds,” while some of us welcome change. Like many people, I find Christmas traditions comforting – but for sure, mine have morphed considerably over the years. Divorce has been one of the more unforgiving motivators (sometimes change is simply forced on us!), and environmental and financial considerations have also played a part.

Two small examples: once upon a time, when my girls were still young and I was a full-time homemaker/community volunteer, I used to make Chelsea buns (from scratch) for Christmas morning breakfast. These were a very tasty treat – and took me all day to make! Life simply became too busy… Now I just buy some. They’re still a treat – because it’s something we indulge in so rarely.

Another tradition created when the girls were young was making homemade chocolate turtles. Again, a pretty time-consuming business – but a huge hit among those to whom we gave them as gifts. The turtles represented enjoyable time spent with my daughters making them and chatting, and I don’t think anyone who received them lamented that their gift had not cost a lot of money. The turtle days have ended now too, alas. There are other treats less time-consuming to make. Life goes on!

Though it’s challenging, one can make the conscious choice to not hop onto that relentless “keeping up with the Joneses” treadmill. I think the things many of us really value the most about the Christmas season have to do with food, fun and seeing our loved ones, rather than with what’s found under the tree.

Speaking of under the tree, the book Under the Tree – Creative Alternatives to a Consumer Christmas by David and Elizabeth Morley (available at Deep River (Ontario) Library) is chockfull of helpful suggestions. These include recipes, suggestions for homemade and reasonably-priced gifts, enjoyable family activities, and more. You may also want to check out the two Christmas-related handouts available in the Post Office. Both offer inspiration and ideas for “taming the Christmas monster.”

An on-line site with plenty of alternative gift ideas is the “Planet Friendly” one at

http://www.planetfriendly.net/gifts.html#gifts You might also get some good ideas from “Ecoholic” columnist Adria Vasil at http://www.nowtoronto.com/columns/ecoholic.cfm?content=166002

Here’s an idea: buy multiple copies of Change the World for Ten Bucks: 50 ways to make a difference, a book put out by a group called ‘We are what we do.’ I bought 10 copies earlier this year (from New Society Publishers), and find the book a delight. It has far more than just environmental ideas in it - e.g., one page shows an older person and a young person, both wearing sweatshirts. The older person’s says, “Talk to old people. They know cool stuff you don’t.” The kid’s says: “Talk to young people. They know cool stuff you don’t.”

In most homes, I’m guessing it’s “the woman of the house” who does the lioness’s share of the work to make Christmas happen. It’s often up to Mom to set the tone – and thus, if change is required, odds are we women will be leading the way. Socrates said, “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” The phrase may be ancient, but I’d say his advice is still pretty bang on.

And oh, yes – do remember to “shop local!”