Looking for some refreshing ideas for your Christmas experience?

Every year I need to rally and gear up for Christmas.  My normal inclination is to retreat from the overspending, over-consuming, and over-everything as I manage to do the rest of the year.  But our culture's way of celebrating this holiday puts a bit of added pressure to buy, eat, and socialize.  Lucky for me, each year there is more and more awareness of wise, sustainable, meaningful choices for celebrating this beautiful season.

I thought I'd compile a list of resources if you, like me, are trying to rise above the landfill this season.  (Studies show that Americans put an extra one million tons of trash into landfills each week during December, most of it is packaging.  I asked my local garbage collector his take on this, and his response: "so true!")

1) Shop local.  Check out your local mom-n-pop stores.  Here are a few in the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area.
Mix
The Rocket
Nicola's Books.  Here is my older daughter enjoying a free afternoon at her favorite bookstore.

And here is my children's book on the same display as the gardening book written by our First Lady!

2) Meet the producers.  Instead of mass produced items from outsourced labor, visit a farmer's market or artisan event and meet the people making your goods.  Here are a few coming up in the next few weeks.  (This is a shameless plug, as I'll be at these events with my trash-free alternatives as The Eventual Farmer!)

Friday, November 30, 6 - 10pm, KindleFest, outdoor holiday market, Kerrytown

Fridays, December 7th and 21st, Lunasa Open House Markets, Washtenaw Food Hub, local food producers and artisans

3) Think globally.  Consider purchasing a item made by women who are overcoming hardship.  Here is one source for unique and worthwhile gifts.

4) Look outside yourself and your own family by participating in a charitable event.  Make a family trip to give blood.  Pack a shoebox of toiletries for an impoverished child.

Buy a herd of livestock for a hungry family.

5) Attend a religious service.  Even consider visiting a church of a different style, just to have a different experience.

Special thanks to the Sunday Small Group who helped to generate some of these ideas!

Do you have any more creative ways for celebrating the season in meaningful ways?