Signora Sheila

“Merry and bright? With all the economic woes, inflation, and instability around us? A bright and merry Christmas seems unlikely this year. In fact, celebrating at all in the midst of it all seems nearly impossible, let alone trying to make it merry and bright! And forget about Christmas gifts!

So this year I have a new idea: a 5-Hand Christmas! A simple strategy that’s both down-to-earth and earth-friendly too! And it could also help your wallet, taking some of the pressure off of gift buying!

Have a Five-Hand Christmas this year!

The Five-Hand Christmas

• Helps take the commercialism and materialism out of Christmas.
• The gifts are more personal and therefore more meaningful.
• It can teach kids (and us) that we don’t have to spend a lot of money to show love and care.
• These gifts are a lot of fun.
• It won’t break the bank (your piggy bank, that is).
• It’s better for the environment.
• And all of that really does make for a Merry Christmas!

All gifts must fit into one or more of these categories:

1. HAND-made, by you personally

Even if you’re not good at crafts. Write or record some stories about your childhood for your children or grandchildren. Or give a special photo, enlarged and framed, or something homemade from your kitchen. Everyone loves food!

2. HAND-me-downs

One man’s junk is another’s treasures. Others may use and appreciate things you no longer use! Or why not pass on your family heirlooms? Why wait and leave them in your will? You could have the pleasure of watching them enjoy those treasured items now.

Maybe it’s time to see that new isn’t always better. To realize that showing love does not have to cost money. And that truly meaningful gifts are thoughtful and heartfelt, whether from the mall or from our closets!

3. Second-HAND items

Maybe someone on your list dreams of getting a certain thing. Kids especially tend to do this. They decide they want one thing and only that. So pick one up secondhand!

And then use it as an opportunity to teach about Creation Care. Remember, every manufactured item creates pollution and depletes natural resources. And gifts like these might keep some things out of landfills!

4. A helping HAND

Some people like to have donations made in their name to charities or ministries. I remember one year our daughter and her family donated a goat in my name. I like goats, and loved the idea of knowing that a needy family was enjoying my goat for me! (Especially since I can’t have one!)

Some of the most valuable helping-hand gifts include giving of our time and presence. Visiting shut-ins and helping the elderly. Coupons promising to do chores or babysit. Who couldn’t use a few of those?

We recently visited a 97-year-old shut-in, and she assured us that she would treasure it a lot. Such a simple thing, and something we should do more of.

5. HAND in hand gifts

I’ve received many gifts over the years. But the things I treasure most are special times spent with friends or loved ones.

So give your loved ones the blessed gift of time together. Plan a date night, a family day at the zoo, a family game night, ice cream every night for a week, or something similar.

In the long run, what we all need and want is the presence and involvement of others. Time to care and share, or a day spent together with the phones turned off. Or (gasp!) even left at home. Hand-in-hand gifts are events to treasure all year long!

We can show love and appreciation without getting caught up in the consumerist Christmas culture! And we can protect the earth at the same time, because these gifts involve re-using or upcycling!

The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination! Which makes me think. What about some jars of canned olives from our backyard? Wouldn’t those make delicious gifts?

And now, give us all a hand and share your suggestions!

📷 Image credits: ornament; knitting; bracelet; phonograph; hands; couple