6 Ways to be mindful & merry this Christmas

Every year, we lament how Christmas has become a season of joyful consumption. Here’s how to reclaim the Christmas spirit.

EVERY year, we lament how Christmas has become a season of joyful consumption. Here’s how to reclaim the Christmas spirit.

Looking for ways to give something back in this season of joyful consumption? If you feel like the true meaning of Christmas has been lost in the commercial haze, it’s time to take a step back and figure out how to celebrate with purpose. Here are six ways to be more meaningful with your Christmas prep and put some thought back into the silly season.

WRITE TO SANTA

Just as an exercise, write a letter to Santa this season. If you have children, think about getting them to do the same. But instead of telling Santa how good you’ve been and all of the things you’d like for Christmas, tell him everything you’re grateful for in this world. Instead of listing everything you want, make a list of everything that is good in your life, every bit of luck you’ve had, every creature comfort, every moment of joy. Think about the many challenges other people have had to face that you have avoided, and how lucky you are just to live here. Write a letter of gratitude to Santa these holidays, and don’t ask him for anything.

BUY GIFTS THAT ENCOURAGE GROWTH

We’ve arrived at a point where we know that having more stuff is not the secret to happiness, but so much of our Christmas giving is about heaping stuff on others. Try and break the habit this year, and buy gifts that are more than just stuff. Look for gifts that will help the receiver to learn and grow, that will make the world a more interesting place. For some people, that could be concert tickets or books, for others it could be a meal at a special restaurant or a scuba diving lesson. Ultimately, you want your gift to help them feel more connected to life.

BUY GIFTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY NEEDED

If you are intent on buying stuff, sit down and think about the person you are buying for. Think about what the year ahead looks like for them. Do they have a new hobby? Will they be playing a sport next year? Are they going on a trip? Think about what they will be doing and things they will need to do it, and work from there. If you’re unsure, ask. Do some research. A surprise gift with no practical use is only surprisingly bad. If you can figure out what someone actually needs for Christmas, your gift will have the added bonus of demonstrating how well you know them, which is a good way to make someone feel loved.

GIVE THE GIFT OF YOUR TIME

Time is so precious these days, it honestly feels like we’re running out. Consider gifting someone with your time this Christmas, in ways that are intended to benefit them. Offer to babysit, or lend a hand painting the house. If you know they would like to see more of you, make the time to spend more time with them. Slow down and invite your dad to play a game of chess. Take your mother to the movies. And if you’d like to give something to people outside the small circle of your family and friends, donate your time to a worthy charity.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THEIR CAUSE

It’s not uncommon for people to give to charity in lieu of giving gifts. It’s a way of saying, “We have enough.” It is a very noble way to spend your Christmas dollars, sharing what you have with people who are in serious need, and the world would be a better place if more of us did it a lot more of the time.

If your charitable giving is for someone else – if you intend to tell them you’ve made a donation on their behalf for Christmas – consider finding a worthy cause that reflects their passions, interests and experience. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Maybe they are interested in a particular health issue that needs funding, or they have kids and care about childhood poverty. Donate a meal to someone in need. Christmas can be a lonely time for people with nowhere else to go and a warm meal is a powerful way to make those people feel party of the community.  If you can find a way to connect them to the giving, it is a gift that you can truly share.

AVOID LANDFILL

The shops are flooded with generic gifts at Christmas time, but think about what you’re holding in your hand, next time you’re standing in a department store on the hunt for stocking stuffers. Is it poorly made plastic, doomed to break and end up in the bin by the end of Christmas Day? Is it a novelty item that will wear out its welcome in 15 minutes? Is it destined to simply pass momentarily through your house on its way to landfill? Then put it back on the shelf. The planet doesn’t need it, and you probably don’t either. Consider instead visiting a Salvos Store this Christmas for a gift that is truly #Oneofakind (if you’re busy, you can even shop online). A Salvos Store is the perfect place to find gifts that are unique, but also great quality, and give them a new purpose in this world.