Accessory Doll Gift Gras Jester Mardi Blog

So, it’s finally happened. I’m officially the “granola-cruncher” of the family. The hippy dipster, the all-natural gal, the recycling radical. And it has paid off! Instead of getting gadgets and clothing, I got thoughtful gifts, ones that I knew hadn’t been assembled by a child in a developing country then sent overseas.

My sister gave me adorable upcycled fingerless gloves from Etsy. She got them for my cousins too. So cute!

My mom got me a wonderful pair of Kate Spade shoes. Not exactly eco-friendly, but I’ll get a lot of use out of them! Don’t you agree?

From my step dad and step-grandmother? Donations in my name to Heifer International and Women for Women International. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing money that would have been spent on something I wouldn’t like (God bless them both, Nana and Steve know they haven’t got a clue about my style) is instead going to help a family and a woman out there who desperately need it.

From my wonderful boyfriend, Mastering the Art of French Cooking and Julie & Julia, so I can whip up inventive recipes from the farmers market! (What’s that book next to it, you say? It’s This is Why You’re Fat. It’s a compendium of over-the-top American grossness in cooking that Scott got as a present. Ironic much?) My sister also made origami boxes from leftover paper from her summer wedding to put in our stockings. Now that is up-cycling at its most beautiful. Also in my stocking: a handmade Christmas ornament and vegan, cruelty-free lemon soap. It smells like meringue. I almost ate it before my Mom stopped me.

I gave my sister a scrapbook of her wedding that I put together from her leftover wedding ribbons and paper. Her husband got a beer-brewing kit from the Brooklyn Brew Shop. My step-grandmother got an up-cycled crocheted pin from the Christmas fair at Union square. And for my Mom? Well, she loved her orange sweater. “Where is it from?” someone asked her. “Oh, it’s probably recycled from organic wool or something,” she said, smiling. “Uh, actually it’s from Anthropologie,” I told her. “I just thought it looked cute.” Oh well, can’t be perfect!

My boyfriend’s present came too late and is sitting in my apartment in New York. So I can’t say what that is yet! And apparently his other present for me is waiting for me in New York too. He colluded with Vickie, the roommate, to get it set up. I’m totally baffled. What could it be?? Stay tuned….

When I was a kid I loved Christmas -- I adored the cheesy music, the month-long anticipation of The Big Day had me unable to sit still, I couldn't get enough of the various preparations for family meals, church services, concerts, and school break. This love of the Holiday was still so strong with me that when I met DH we had to strike a compromise in which I could only start listening to Christmas music on December 1st or as soon as the first snow fell -- whichever came first. Given we lived in Nova Scotia, I never got to start early (though the arrangement had to be modified once we moved to Ottawa!).

As an adult, though, I started losing the excitement and joy -- there wasn't any fun in picking out gifts for people, the malls were a torture to be avoided if at all possible, and I even stopped loving the music as much. Christmas had become a chore. I was done. Once the kids were here, we kept it pretty simple but a big part of me craved to recapture the excitement I remembered from my own childhood.

A couple years ago, I hit on the magic formula for us. We don't buy any "new" presents for anyone -- the kids are the only exception. All of our presents are either handmade by us, handmade by local artisans and crafters, or purchased 2nd hand at vintage or antique shops. It made the hunt for the perfect gift fun again. It ensured that no one would receive a duplicate gift from us. It brought me back to the idea that the gifts of the heart are the best sort to give and receive. Heck, I even keep a running list of 2nd hand of "thrifted" gifts on my blog as a reference for DH. Nothing need be big or expensive -- it only need be special. I still try to avoid the malls whenever possible -- gifting in this manner makes it much easier. I can do almost all of my shopping in my own neighbourhood and never need the car.

In the same line, I pretty much stopped using gift paper (though I've still a bunch left to donate somewhere). Now I wrap gifts in new tea towels and fabric ribbons, or in fabric gift bags. Folks on my gift list also receive some holiday baking from me -- war cake, biscotti and whatever else I feel like baking. They might even receive a mix disc of whatever holiday music I happen to be enjoying at the time -- Kenny and Dolly feature heavily in my holiday rotation. ;)

What is your holiday strategy? How do you avoid seasonal burnout and keep the holidays fun? Lay it on me!