Maybe it's because it's hump day. Maybe because Richard is out of town and I am left flying solo on dinner, baths, tantrums, getting the kids dressed, finding shoes... the whole nine yards. Or, maybe it's because it is Christmas time and, as invigorating as the holidays can be, they always leave me a little tired. Whatever the reason... I'm feeling sluggish today.
This should give you additional insight into my mood...
The only thing I can think to Whack today are problems. Christmas... the most commercialized, celebrated, ridden-with-possibility topic, and chock full of fun-whacking-potential (gift ideas, packaging, decorations for the home, or family traditions), and the only thing I can think to whack is the thing that makes me want to say "Bah Humbug."
So here it is... I have family Christmas shopping down to somewhat of a science. Richard and I establish our budget, generate a list of all family and friends for whom we would like to purchase a gift and then divide the money out accordingly. This is where the "J" (organized and a little fanatical) side of me comes out. I establish an envelope for each person, containing the designated allotment of cash. Cash from one person's envelope never mixes with cash from another person's envelope, including change! We operate in cash only for holidays, so when the cash is gone it's time to stop Christmas shopping...
Or so it goes... theoretically. I'll tell you what throws me off every year! The important, but somewhat extraneous people who deserve a special something, but for whom I consistently either (a) do not plan ahead and/or (b) do not have a good gift idea. Either way, it inevitably leads to my over spending. I'm either purchasing the gift at the last minute (always costs more) or I'm overcompensating for my lack of gift-buying-ingenuity.
Who exactly am I talking about?... Teachers and the director(s) at the boys preschool; the mail delivery person; the men who pick up our garbage twice a week; my housekeeper; acquaintances who I see daily (Starbucks crew); and friendly neighbors. These, to name a few. I'm sure you have your own list brewing of people who fall in this category. As noted earlier, to overlook anyone of these people would not be o.k. They are members of my immediate community and I want to spread holiday cheer, letting them know they're appreciated. The question is... what can I do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but is more thoughtful than a gift card?
Come on von Oech. Don't fail me now. Today, of all days I need a serious dose of whacking. So, what does von Oech have to say?...
Get support. One reason gypsies have a good healthy record is the role the family plays in establishing a positive health environment. When a gypsy gets sick, it's common for six or eight others to accompany her to the doctor. Such family participation provides not only a support system for the ill member, it also creates a high expectancy for getting well. Similarly, it's easier to be creative if your environment both supports and expects new ideas. What support systems can you create?
Wow, this feel fortuitous. A day when I am clearly dragging and I get to ask what support systems I can create? Serendipity or prophetic? Hmmmm....
Anyway... back to the issue at hand. Christmas treats for the important people who comprise your community that are neither bank-breaking or impersonal.
Well the first thing that comes to mind is all the talent right here on this blog. We have Heidi the Beader; Wendy the Wine Glass Charm Maker; Beekayroot the Photographer; Peggy the card maker; cspgradstudent the Decoupager; Cassie the cookie baker; Cheryl the Genius Mosaic Artist; Stacie the bag maker; Kat who is clearly going to town whipping up all kinds of Christmas treats, based on her Monday comment; and who knows what I'm missing.
What's a co-op?
Is that the kind of thing where we all come together, pitch in what we have, and everyone leaves with more than they came with? Maybe that's my solution. Put a lump sum of money in a caddy (contributed by anyone interested in participating). Then, that money could fund projects by our community artists. In the end, each participating person would contribute "x" amount, but walk away with "x" number of unique Christmas gifts.
I guess a natural question could be... "Claudia, why the community approach? Why not just contact the artists and place your own orders... now, not on December 15?" Truth, I'm not sure. I guess I assume when an artist makes time to sit down and make something like beaded jewelry, cards, wine glass charms, etc... it's more efficient and therefore beneficial to make multiple items than it is to fill my lone order. I think this is what the Industrial Revolution was based on.
So that's my crack at today's whack. But... Instead of having everyone whack my Christmas dilemma, how about each of us uses von Oech's principle to whack the thing most likely to make you say, "Bah Humbug". This way, we get to learn more about each of your holiday experiences and, in the process, generate a variety of creative solutions.
Announcement:
Coincidentally, just one day after celebrating an increase of 35%, over the projected 5,000 readers in 77 days, we had one of our slowest days ever... including weekends. Maybe everyone was busy doing their Christmas shopping. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The good news is you would never know by looking at posts that yesterday was slow. We had a record 87 posts - naturally the majority were loyal, high-achieving readers who - like I - couldn't bear the idea of not hitting the aspiration 77 posts. Thanks, everyone for playing along yesterday.
Cassie and Lori R. were the winners of the Pickle in a Hay Stack contest, meaning they will each receive a Christmas present from me (in July). Cassie found the original pickle, located on May 29 and Lori's pickle was posted on April 22.
Now for the lucky winner of the chocolate chip cookies containing 1,765 mini chocolate chips. I tried to switch things up a bit by NOT simply having you guess a number from 1-77. Instead, the idea was, the person posting the comment corresponding to the number in my head, would be the winner. Now for the number. Was it... 22, my volleyball number as suggested by Maureen? 65 the year I was born? 3 the number of boys I have? 13 the date of my anniversary (November) and the residence hall floor on which I was an RA for a number of years? Lucky 7, the date of my birthday? Or maybe 42, my age? No, no, no, and no. The number was 18, the date of my father's birthday (July), my mother's birthday (August), and highlowaha's inaugural post (February). Congratulations...
STACIE!
Stacie was also our 100 Pounds of Popcorn Winner
Signing off until tomorrow...
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17 comments:
Finally! I've been on the edge of my seat since 6:30 this morning waiting for your post. We must be in different time zones. I am totally addicted to your blog.
I guess the thing that I like least about the holidays is the way my family overindulges my children. My mom and dad go way overboard. I have 3 kids and they each get like 10 gifts from them, plus my husband and I get about the same from them. That's 50 presents to lug home and find a place for. Last year I implemented a rule: "For every one thing you get, you have to give one thing away of similar size and content." That eliminates the "I'll give away this Hot Wheel for my new bike" thinking.
Another suggestion that I heard recently to deal with this very problem is to ask for things to do instead of things. For example, zoo passes, dance lessons, tickets to a show, etc. I love this idea. Now if only I could get my mom on board with it!
That was it 22 ! I couldn't remember your volleyball number. I still have my jersey in my closet do you have yours? Knowing you that is a stupid question. Anyway way to go Stacie.... you have no idea what a chocolate chip cookie is until you have eaten Claudia's.
I usually try to tailor my gift to the person... and I also try to avoid retail like the plague. i wont BUY a card... I make all mine. I don't want to BUY a gift...I want you to know I put thought & effort into YOUR gift for YOU... so I make things, I offer services (meals out, babysitting for new parents, etc). For my Dad, married to my non-baking Mom, I give him a cookie of the month subscription...from my own kitchen. Every month he gets a different cookie. etc. I love the feelings behind Yule/Christmas, the family & friends gathering and the festive feel... I try to celebrate the way it was, not the retail nightmare it has become.
Chaotic.... LOVE the Cookie of the Month Club idea. I might have to borrow that one!
Whoo hoo! I'm excited about winning something but more excited about the fact that I will be receiving mail thats not junk or a bill! Yea! Thanks Claudia!
As far as gifts for those important people I still think that gift certificates are an ok thing. They do no have to be impersonal is you give them or package them creatively. Often you do not know these people well enough to know their interests outside of their job/reason for your acquaintance so it makes it hard to think of things they would like or do not already have. Another thing I have recieved from a co-worker that was cool was a letter explaining and a copy of a Christmas Angel that she had fulfilled the wishes of in my name. A picture of the items purchased and donated can be attached as well.
Lori R.
Holy cow!! I cannot BELIEVE I won! After all those people posted a gozillion times each, I thought for sure my chances were shot. What a happy way to begin my day. I'm calling the hub right now to let him know because he will be so freaking excited. Chocolate chip cookies are his favorite! Obviously, I'll have to find a way to share them, but I'm certain we'll be eating a bit more than a reasonable portion of my winnings. And for what it's worth, I think 18 is a lovely number, not only for its significance in your family's life, but also because I remember it as a really fun age. :)
How have I never had one of these famous cookies before?? And where do you find chocolate chips that haven't been processed alongside nuts of some sort? Please tell me you aren't forced to make these delicious cookies without being allowed to eat any of them!
So glad to see/read you, Nicole!
Yesterday was so much fun! I can't believe it was a slow day.
Ever since I was a child, I remember always having some degree of Christmas Blues. I think it's just the combination of the build up, the anxiousness I feel when I give and receive gifts and the feeling of an end of something that follows the build up. I never feel like the gifts I give are enough and I never know what to get my friends and family which then leads to me spending more than I should. I experience a level of guilt when someone gives me something really great and I look at what I bought them. I'm anxious just thinking about it now!
Growing up, I loved Thanksgiving because we gathered as a family and there was no pressure. Eat, hang out, play some games- no pressure. Maybe my blues is due to the lack of sun and Vitamin D. I used to have a button that said Bah Humbug and I wore it every Christmas.
I'm always more than ready to go back to my daily routine after the holidays. Even now, as a mom, I stress over whether or not my boys will have the "best Christmas ever." And they change their minds on what they want Santa to bring right up to Christmas Eve. Ayh!
Okay, I'm just whining and not really whacking here. What was the question? Whack my own issue... Start shopping now and listen to what people are saying when they're expressing their interests. Live in the moment. And don't forget to take deep breaths, and think happy thoughts.
Practice this with me: Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold it for 3 seconds. And shake it down through your fingertips.
I feel better, don't you?
Lori... I really like that idea of sponsoring someone from an "Angel Tree" in honor of a friend or family member. Amazing how many creative ideas are out there. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times... I am more creative because of all of you. Thank you.
And, yes... Nicole... welcome to our fun community and thank you for jumping right in and posting. You'll be a great new addition.
One of the ways in which I solved the Christmas blues this past year was by making a kindness calendar. I planned out ways in which I could give to the community, friends, and family in various ways and then made sure I made it happen. The focus was placed on helping others and passing on goodwill versus the stress, hustle and bustle, and whatnot. I found that for those 31 days I was quite happy and felt very accomplished.
It also helped to alleviate some of the let down as the 25th was over. Another way to do this is by saving some gifts or exchanges for right after the holiday. It allows for the season to continue a couple days after. :)
I usually pick up some really cool gifts at the St. James Art show here in Louisville. Whether it is a hand thrown brie baker or a set of handmade notecards these items make really great gifts. Another great place to look for is fair trade organizations such as Ten Thousand Villages, where artisans make some incredible items and you can always include one of the cards with the gifts to let people know where the item came from and how it will benefit others.
November 13th is a GREAT day, your anniversary and my birthday! Fun!
Interestingly enough my Monday's blog was almost a "Bah Humbug" so it's ironic that here I am 2 days later getting to blog about just this. I'd say the most challenging thing for me about the holidays used to be finding the time to relax and really enjoy that special and sacred time of year. With all the parties, singing (I used to sing in 2 choirs, now just 1) and last minute orders plus work, shopping, baking, etc. I found myself exhausted and depressed, not what I ever expected to feel. Quite honestly it was too much of a sacrifice on me and my spirituality. So I made a conscious effort the following year to pay attention to my needs and what the holidays mean to me. dropped my one choir, only attended parties that I really wanted to attend and took jewelry orders up to Thanksgiving. It made such a huge difference in my overall energy, attitude and spirit (mind-body-spirit are all connected!)that I was knew this change was exactly what I needed.
So I'm grateful to be enlightened and have the know-how to step back and realize that instead of filling my busy time of the holidays with more busyness, to actually take on less and pick and choose carefully about how I really want to spend that time.
Merry Christmas (in July)Everyone!
p.s. It would be great to hear about everyone's best holiday gift EVER! Maybe this is an upcoming blog??
I guess you could say that I'm lucky to have a small family, I don't have as many gifts to buy... our budget isn't blown, there is not that much heavy thinking involved in 'what to buy' {but then if you think about it, it's sad... cuz we are so small and don't have that chaos and LOVE of huge families} any who...
A friend who is a cookie/treat maker... finds her way around the thrift shop like a demon and buys any and all kinds of 'kewl' (cheap)glass plates,pottery serving ware etc.... and packages her goodies on a terrific find. It is so adorable to receive them!!
Also, people have so much (stuff)... for grandparents and those who live out of state... we've bought gift services... to the Schwann guy, their neighborhood hair salon, a grocery store card, paid for my dad's cell phone service for 6 months, a gas card, movie passes and dinner gift card etc...
Finally, SCRIP (is that nationwide?) I buy gift cards for the neices and nephews, so I give the donation to my god daughters fundraiser who does the SCRIP program, and then get the gift cards to places these teenagers love!
I wanted to add to the list of things that people can do. I can make scarves, blankets, and cross-stitch things. Our school makes scarves for the homeless around Christmas time. If anyone has any extra yarn they are not using we could always use the extra.
I just re-read something... Claudia called me a Genius Mosaic Artist. ROFLMAO!
Claudia is that your way of telling me to finish the 10 or so mosaic projects I have - oh god! I'll go with- laying around? (How did I do?)
I told you I only start projects... I don't finish them, silly!
Anonymous, if you would like to email me your address, I have some old yarn that I am not going to use. I don't know if you can use it or not, but you're welcome to it. nza@insightbb.com
Anonymous.... also, if you let us know who you are maybe we can feature you some Friday and you can offer up something you've made for Freebie Friday.
My name is Sue and I am the one who wrote in as anonymous.
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