Bringing in the Light
Season’s Greetings, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Celebrate Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays, Solstice Salutations, Feliz Navidad. However you celebrate it, I wish you a wonderful Season of Light.
In every tradition, we commemorate the end of the darkest & longest days and the beginning of a time of more sunlight. We light candles and have “sparkly things” that reflect the lights and represent more sun. Throughout the world, this time is acknowledged in many different traditions but they all include special food, lights and gifts.
But most important, it is a time for moving into a “lighter” space and joyously celebrating our connections to each other and the earth.
A NEW YEAR With New Traditions
For many people, it is also a New Year and a time for new beginnings. A time to reflect on what is meaningful and to pay attention to what is important to us …. and to vow to remember those things more. In that spirit, I want to share this excerpt from “A Christmas Story “ by Truman Capote*.
Remember What is Important
The speaker is Sook, Truman’s elderly and disabled aunt who teaches us about life in her simple and profound way. Whatever your holiday or religious tradition, I think we can all learn from her words to remember what is really important and appreciate the gifts we already have.
On a cold and empty Christmas afternoon Sook exclaims to young Truman:
” ‘My, how foolish I am!’ she cries, suddenly alert, like a woman remembering too late she has biscuits in the oven. “You know what I’ve always thought?” she asks in a tone of discovery, and not smiling at me but a point beyond. “I’ve always thought a body would have to be sick and dying before they saw the Lord. And I imagined that when He came it would be like looking at the church window…pretty as colored glass with the sun shining through, such a shine you don’t know it’s getting dark. And it’s been a comfort, to think of that shine takes away all the spooky feeling. But I’ll wager it never happens. I’ll wager at the very end a body realizes he has already shown Himself.” Her hand circled in a gesture that gathered clouds and kites and grass and Queenie, our dog, pawing earth over her bone, ” “That things as they are, just what they’ve always been, was seeing Him. As for me, I could leave the world with today in my eyes. “
So in this special season, let us see it all with Sook’s eyes. I hope this season brings you much light and love.
(*Truman Capote, A Christmas Memory, Modern Library, 1996)
Money Multiplier
Been Stressed about Holiday gifts? Have you been complaining about the state of the economy?? The Malls Madness? The lack of good customer service?
I know I have done that a lot and felt unable to do much about it but I think I have found some help for all of that …& it can be fun & rewarding besides…what a great deal!
The solution? Multiply your money locally!
The solution is to shop locally with independent (not chain store) merchants in your ‘Hood. Shopping locally can generate huge dividends in improving your community & your pocketbook.
You can help contribute directly to your own well-being and someone else’s. The monetary amounts from such spending are are huge:
- If 3 people spend $50.00 a month locally it would generate over $42.6
- BILLION annually….which would be spent locally.
- For every $100.00 spent in an independently owned business, $68.00
- comes back to us.
- If you spend that in a national chain, only $43.00 comes back & if you spend it on line, your community & your business gets ZERO!
I am really fortunate to live in an in-town neighborhood where there are lots of diverse shops and great gifts to chose from. But wherever you are, I know there are places to go where you will have a wonderful selection as well as doing your part to support folks working hard just like you. It can save you money and time.
Every community has locally owned restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, bakeries and other businesses that will really appreciate you and your business. And the parking is easy.
Gotta love the 3/50 Project
The wonderful 3/50 PROJECT is all about this. It encourages people to buy & support local businesses. This is such an important idea because these businesses contribute so much to, our local economy and our community. We really do like to do business with people we know and trust. And personally, I liked to be called by my name and greeted like a valued customer, not an account number.
Social media is great but nothing takes the place of a person who is happy to see you and wants to help you. So check out this out how you get known and appreciated in your “village.”.. You will never get that from a chain store. To find out more at the 3/50 website.
- Pick 3 locally owned independent businesses to check out and stop in & say Hello. Buy something that makes you smile.
- Find time to talk the owner of a local business about their business and yours. You may be able to support each other and will have made a friend…and they will be sure to remember you next time you come in.
- Eat in a neighborhood restaurant, ask to meet the owner and thank them for improving your quality of life. McDonalds will never do that.
- Hold your “meet- up” in a local coffee shop or resturant,they will be happy to have you and give you special service.
- If you need a product or service but can’t find it, ask the local merchant if they can recommend someone. Chances are they will give you a good recommendation and will say “Tell them I sent you “; always a great way to get good service.
- Subscribe to your neighborhood association’s newsletter & get on the email list for the local merchant’s newsletter. Great way to find inexpensive deals and events.
- If you already have some favorite local businesses, stop by and thank them or send them a referral. They will remember!
Holiday Tips to Save Time, Money & Sanity
Holiday Gifts can be challenging but all of these are easily “doable” & take little Time & Money.
1.Use an “assembly line” to create ready-to-use dry mixes (think: cookies, multi-bean soups, or muffins) and package in attractive containers from art or dollar stores. These are great time savers and easy to create.
2. Plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs in pebbles in pots, water weekly and put in window. They will bloom in Jan. and be a fragrant gift during the winter.( I do this every year for clients, neighbors etc. and they tell me they appreciate them).
3. Make “Gifts Certificates” for your time/expertise. Here are some possibilities:
• Certificate for a favorite/special dish
• Certicate for some hours of “ grunt work” …cleaning garage,painting,raking leaves,etc.
• Certificate for helping with a project that could use your painting, sewing, organizing skills
4. A “PASS” coupon for your kids for chores that kids are usually do; lets them “opt out “ of chore when they use their coupon.
5. “Happy New Year” gifts given in January gifts may more noticed and appreciated and a good way to reconnect after the rush of the holidays.
6. For business customers, give a percentage “off” on your client’s bill or order with a thank you holiday note. Many will appreciate money more than a present.
7.Give a donation in the clients name to a favorite charity, especially if you know of your client’s interests. Often a magazine/newsletter also will be sent & your client is reminded of you all year.
8. Consider a donation where client can “adopt” an animal or land. Rescue/rehab groups or environmental organizations will often send client a picture or certificate and progress reports.
9.Give yourself a present. You deserve it!
