Crafting a Simple Holiday

There’s a quite a bit of knitting going on here lately.  It had been a few months since I picked up the knitting needles but thankfully my fingers had no trouble remembering exactly what to do and I’ve been cruising through some fun projects.

I’m desperately trying to avoid any kind of last minute gift rush and to that end I’m working slowly but steadily and enjoying every minute of it.  It seemed hypocritical to me to shun the commercialization of the modern holiday season only to make it just as stressful in a homemade / handmade way.  I’m refusing to do that anymore just like I refuse to go into some kind of weird credit card debt at big box stores just to fulfill my gift list.  There will be no up to my eyeballs in Christmas crafting, there will be no tears shed of the amazing but intricate project I didn’t get done.  That’s no more the seasonal spirit I want to share than it would be if I stood in line at Wal-mart on black Friday.  Thank you, no, I’m opting out of it all.

To that end, over the last few years Jeff and I have cut our gift giving list way back.  We’ve asked folks not to buy or make for us and we won’t for them either.  We don’t truly want or need anything and would prefer that our loved ones spend their time and money doing something nice for themselves.  Oh there will still be some holiday baking and gift boxes with some jams and those knitted washcloths but overall we simply don’t do a ton for the holidays.  Rather, we try to spread our love and our gift giving out throughout the year.

It seems I prefer that anyway.  I prefer doing random boxes and gifts throughout the year as the spirit hits me rather than all at once just because the calendar says so.  I noticed that as we approached folks about not exchanging gifts many of them expressed a deep sigh of relief at the notion too.  One less thing for them too after all and maybe that’s the best gift of all.

As we approach the utter insanity of the modern, western holiday season, I encourage you to take a moment and breathe.  Take a moment and examine that gift giving list and make sure it fits into the simple life you’re trying to achieve. 

And to those of you trying to craft up something truly fantastic, happy crafting too you.  To those of you intent on shopping, don’t forget all the local folks in your area and/or the amazing folks online who make handmade, beautiful items.