Ongoing supply chain issues are all over the news. Today's New York Times article explains it well, but the fact that certain goods, parts or ingredients, from toys to building materials to medication are being held up. And that will affect us more and more until it gets straightened out (and it will).
This is NOT to be a bummer, but to say it's important to think ahead this year - especially with toys - and buy now. As always, I encourage you to buy locally to keep your area's stores in business, or buy directly from crafts people who have shops on sites like Etsy or artisans at local craft fairs over ordering from Amazon. It IS easy to order online, so do what you must if you have big plans for gift giving this holiday, especially if you have Littles in your life.
But —starting now means there's time to make things! Or hunt locally to find one of a kind vintage items - books, maps, fabrics, glassware, toys, etc... from Thrift shops and Flea markets. And that's FUN!
The growing reuse-recycle green movement has really advanced. So many will have an appreciation for special things you found at yard sales or from Facebook Marketplace, Next Door, Craig's List etc... even dumpster diving (I'm covering it all here!). And you contribute to our good earth by not creating the need for new things to be manufactured - covered in plastic and paper, or delivered in packaging that just creates more waste.
The pandemic made us all pause and take stock of what really matters. And people had time to learn former arts - like bread baking, crocheting, woodworking, and painting things. Why not take those arts and return to simpler days, when we made gifts -
whether they be board games, knitted or sewn clothes, quilts, and table
decor, yummy sauces, jams and baked goods, beauty products or crafted
items. There is so much you can make, and better yet, repurpose from around the house. Nothing has to be perfect, as Love can go into every bit and that will show.
Another thing the pandemic taught us was that maybe we have too much, and what's most important is time with the people we love. A lot of people sorted and purged and don't want more clutter. Again, the movement toward minimalism/downsizing and Tiny Housing to free up not just space, but time and budget dollars bodes well for this moment.
Giving the gift of self made coupons for your time doing something together —or deciding your holidays will be about cooking meals together, watching movies, doing some outdoor sports, driving around to see lights with hot cocoa or cider, and gathering (sans electronics) and just talking or reading together by a fire—may just make it the most fulfilling holiday, in just a way that's just as spectacular!
I will be writing posts this year suggesting ideas for gifts from all of the above. This is just a heads up! Please tell your friends, subscribe, share these posts on your social media! Let's all do our part to help the world recover, use the lessons we learned during lock down, and make this the best holiday ever!
What matters most is time, how we spend it,
and the people (and pets) we love.
And that is the best gift of all.
Comments