Rekindling the holiday glow

New Perspectives

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by Bonnie MacDonald

The holiday season is upon us and it often brings with it mixed feelings of joy and stress.

As a child, it intrigued me to listen to my parents speak of simpler times when Santa’s generous gift of an orange left in a stocking was reason for celebration. The expectations seem to be greater today, and along with those expectations comes a lot of “stuff”.

Have you ever wondered about all of the stuff unwrapped on Christmas Day? Where did it all come from? Where does it end up? Surely many of the gifts are treasured for years to come and eventually recycled in some way, but what about the other stuff?

Annie Leonard, author and proponent of sustainability, launched a 20-minute Internet film entitled, “The Story of Stuff,” in December, 2007, to help us all have a realistic look at the consequences of modern day demand and consumption. Since then more than seven million people have watched the fast-paced, thought-provoking video.  It can be viewed at www.storyofstuff.com  and provides some shocking insights.

If you think that some of the people on your gift list do not want or need more “stuff” and you would like to change things up this holiday season, why not consider “alternative gifting“ and give the gift of hope? Whether choosing to help out in our region through donations to the Food Bank, the Women’s House or a local charity, or reaching out to those around the globe, the possibilities are endless and easily accessed via the Internet.  Here are just a few options:

* www.kiva.org  - Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. This is a fun and unique gift certificate that can be purchased for as little as $25.

The recipient will have the opportunity to browse the Kiva website and choose a struggling entrepreneur to support.  Kiva operates in a large number of countries around the globe, helping farmers in Peru, taxi drivers in Mongolia and grocery clerks in Kenya, just to name a few.

The best part is, when the loan is repaid, the gift certificate holder will have the option to re-lend the money all over again. This is truly a gift that can keep on giving for years to come.

*  www.shopunicef.ca     - UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is the world’s leading advocate for children, helping to build a world where the rights of every child are realized. Help vulnerable children around the globe by visiting the Unicef website for a wide selection of  “gifts of magic.” Whether choosing to buy first aid kits, polio vaccine or high energy biscuits, your gift is sure to make a difference in the life of a needy child.

* www.natureconservancy.ca    - The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada's leading national land conservation organization. Share your love of Canada’s wilderness by giving a gift that shows you care about our land and all the creatures that live on it.

Although we all want to hold on to traditions, times are changing and change can be refreshing. Maybe it’s time to consider more of those “gifts that keep on giving.” They may even rekindle the warmth and true meaning of the season.

Happy Holidays!

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Monday, November 30, 2009