The angst of the holidays...

Just after the last piece of pie is served on Thanksgiving you simultaneously hear Jimmy Stewart proclaim his love for Bedford Falls while feeling that looming pit in your stomach grow as that adorable little Zuzu sweetly chants, “Look, Daddy.  Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” (Side note: if that movie were made today you know “his wings” would be replaced with “his or her wings”)  

 

It is not the regret of a 3000 calorie dinner, it is the anticipation of Christmas/Hanukkah.  Why is it that the most magical holiday of the year is often fraught with dread and general angst?   I, along with many, believe it is about the gifts.   Do we give…do we pick names…is there a limit… and if so, does that include tax…  We are a country full of stuff.  So much stuff, in fact, that we have to buy houses with basements to contain the stuff.  I am no exception.  I have so much stuff that every time we move, which is often, I take car loads (note the plural) to Goodwill.  I beg people to take my stuff from me.  I find incredible relief when the left over stuff is safely in the moving van and on its way to our new destination.  And then what do I do?  I get more f#%&ing stuff!

 

So this Christmas my husband and I decided that we are not exchanging stuff.  We have always loved an organization called Heifer International and that is all we are doing for each other.  Our teenager is not quite on board, but we are working on her.  Another great organization is Feed Projects, which is sort of stuff and giving in tandem.  Essentially, for the person who still wants give the stuff but also wants to give philanthropically.    

Both websites are linked below and are a great option for the holidays.

 

           
            http://www.feedprojects.com/
            http://www.heifer.org/