Taking Time To Be Thankful

November 15, 2011

Ah, it's that time of year again. You've spent money and time putting together the perfect Halloween costume. You've invested in food and drink for a spectacular party, pumpkins for carving, spooky decorations, and candy for the masquerading children of the neighborhood. Now that we've all gotten our sugar fix and visited a haunted house or two, it's time to think about Christmas, right?

But wait a minute. What happened to Thanksgiving? Is it a meaningful day to us or simply an excuse to give into gluttony and collapse in front of the television afterward? Are we only restoring our energy levels so that we can make the most out of Black Friday?

Our culture is obsessed with consumerism. Deep down, we all seek power, even if it's as simple as having power over our own lives. Power and prestige are connected to wealth in our society, and wealth is determined by the possession of financial assets. Welcome to capitalism, my friend.

Have you ever stepped back and thought to yourself: "We're sort of missing the point?" It's not always about having what you want, but wanting what you've got. That's the idea of Thanksgiving, right? It's an opportunity to offer thanks for a successful harvest, so to speak. Plentiful food in the company of the people who make life grand. Love, community, bounty. It's the time to appreciate what we've accomplished through hard work and sacrifice. Maybe we aren't subsistence farmers anymore, but most of us go to work to exchange our labor for what we need to live and support our families.

So, spend money on nifty gifts for the people you love. Go out on Black Friday if that's your thing. But before you fret that you don't have enough money to buy everyone what they want, remember that the greatest presents are no or low-cost and come from the heart.

I buy soap base, some kind of scenting agent and colorant, and a fun soap mold or two to make my own soap every year. It's really not that expensive, and people love it. It's fast and easy to make. I use the melt and pour method. Simply melt your soap base down, add scents and colorants, pour into a mold of your choice, and let harden. I wrap my creations in tissue paper secured with a festive ribbon.

You can get more ideas here. And if you simply must have a book in front of you while you craft something amazing, pick up Susan Cousineau's Easy Christmas Crafts today!

Amanda W.
North Independence Branch