Holiday Perspective
- Litty John
- Dec 11, 2020
- 5 min read
The holiday season is here, and while some parts of the world may have already gotten ready for it, there are others who are just getting started. But as we all are aware, we are also heading towards the end of one of the most alarming years that our generation has had to witness and many of us are trying to wind it down with gratefulness for being safe and making it through without much casualties.
Each of us have a unique way of expressing gratitude and we go about it by getting thoughtful gifts, adorning our homes or having simple to elaborate celebrations. Though these practices are beautiful expressions of love, a little mindfulness wouldn’t hurt, most of all this year. It is no secret that the holiday season often results in a lot of additional expenses for each family, and a significant burden to the environment as we plan out a memorable way to end the year. Every year has new learnings, and we thought of putting out a few ideas that have helped us to gain perspective over the years.
Giving - In this season where the difference between abundance and want can become quite stark, let's all keenly search and keep our eyes open to the want of those around us. Even if it's doing something as small as keeping refreshments out for your mail man, garbage collector, or your neighbourhood guard. Or even something larger scale like donating to a thoughtful charity, giving gifts to children who aren't expecting any this year, visiting your local old peoples home or orphanage, whatever be it, the joy it'll bring your heart and the smiles it'll bring on the people around you, will be the best gift you can give yourself this Christmas.
DIY - Doing things ourselves have multifold benefits - It reduces expenses, is kinder to the environment, gets your creative juices flowing, and can also lead to some fun family bonding time! At our home, we love rummaging through décor from all the previous years and putting together pieces that feel brand new. This centerpiece was put together using a few such refurbished objects, still staying true to the theme I had in mind, cause DIY gives you that added freedom to customize. Like you can see here, I was able to tone down on the colours, as that is my usual style, and add a frosty look to the whole setting.
I've given a similar up-do to this old red centre-piece that's around a decade old!
Another example is this lovely wood bead garland that has been a trend this year. A good friend suggested making my own, and I realized that a store bought one costs a lot more than what we could easily make on our own - You can look online to get the beads and use a beading needle with twine to make it. The plus is you get to create your own design and you may find it therapeutic to string them together as you listen to some of those good ol' Christmas classics.
Energy Saving Lights - This season is all about the lights and we definitely love the magical and dreamy look that lights bring to the holiday. And as asking any of us to reduce the lights around would be a real bummer, we're thankful for technology by which we can now decorate our homes with LED lights that use 90% less energy than conventional holiday lights, or better still, outdoor solar lights like we did this year.
Eco-wrapping paper - Unwrapping gifts is almost as fun as getting the gift itself! The joy of seeing the shiny paper, large ribbons and bows and not to forget the tags with our name on it can transform any of us into a five year old. But we all know that all the sticky tape, the fancy wrapping paper and ribbons are not recyclable (they are re-usable though, so iron out the wrinkles and save the ones you already have). A simpler yet elegant option would be to use recyclable brown paper which is easily available at most stores, but often pushed to the back when it has to compete with the flashy co-sisters. Replacing ribbons with twines and adding pine, eucalyptus or lavender twigs as the final touch gives it an oomph factor while smelling good at the same time. And for those who want to ditch paper altogether can also experiment with using colorful fabric for gift wrapping. If you put your head to it, you'll be able to find endless ideas to package sustainably.
Christmas tree - What kind of a Christmas tree do you have at home? whatever kind it is, they could all be eco-friendly if we used them the right way.
Artificial Christmas tree: They are not recyclable and do have an environmental impact. So for those of us that live in countries that don't have winter trees, we usually end up having to buy artificial ones. It's important to lighten the load by re-using your artificial tree for a minimum of 10 years.
Natural Christmas tree (Pot grown): These trees can be kept indoor for up to 12 days and can be replanted in your garden and used for next Christmas.
Natural Christmas tree (Cut): Look for locally grown and sustainable Christmas trees with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Do not dispose it in the landfill, instead look out for councils or charities that can collect and put it to good use.
Rented Christmas trees: Many countries have facilities that rent out Christmas tree which are later collected and replanted.
DIY Christmas tree: Using any plant at home and decking it up with fairy lights will instantly transform it into a Christmas tree. For those who don't have plants/trees at home, just make your own DIY Christmas tree using leftover tinsel, ribbons, lace or wooden branches.
Spread Love - Holidays, although a time of high spirits and joy for many, can be a difficult time for some. The reasons can be many, such as loneliness - more so this year, considering the distancing and isolation brought on by this pandemic, the pressure of keeping up with the celebrations of those around us, the financial constraints, and so on. So make sure to pick up your phones, reach out to your family, friends and maybe that acquaintance that helped you that one time, check on them and spread the holiday cheer.
Above all, remember the Reason for the season. We celebrate this day, the birth of One that came to save and love us all. If you remember Him and imitate Him, all these things will follow. He will teach you by example to feed the hungry, take care of the sick, and to value the Earth we live on. If you feel lonely this season, know that He is Emmanuel, God who is always with you. If you feel unloved, know that He loved you such that He was willing to die for you. If you feel uninspired, remember you were created in the image of the One that turned water to wine. So, have a wonderful season of celebration, feasting, loving and giving !
“For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land."
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