If you are like most soulful women, you know that Aunt Tillie really does not need one more marcasite pin. You know that in this age of mounting credit card debt, people are not exactly going on consumer diets in America. We are, as a nation, so spiritually bankrupt that we are becoming personally bankrupt in an effort to ease the pain of living. I don’t know about you, but I am sick of seeing holiday consumerism before the new school year even starts. Christmas in July? NO THANKS!! What happened to having time to enjoy the season we are actually in? Christmas stuff is out when it is not even Halloween!!

I am not suggesting that we need to abolish holiday gift giving altogether. What I am suggesting is that before you get into the car, go to the mall, fight the crowds and hope you are not repeating the theme of last year’s pin, why don’t you take a moment to investigate giving a charitable donation in your gift recipient’s name? This process will still allow you to give and will also do much to allay your disillusionment with the consumerism of what was once considered a sacred time of year. One charity that I find particularly interesting is Heifer International. This organization operates on the principle of not giving the recipient the fish, but teaching them how to fish. They have symbolic gifts that correspond to set dollar amounts. For example, you can give a gift of a flock of chicks for about $20 US. This will allow the recipients to raise the chicks and eat and sell the eggs and to raise new chicks produced from the flock. Heifer also stipulates that some of the offspring of these gifts must be shared with neighboring towns and villages. This process is fascinating; it empowers the recipient rather than making them feel as if they are getting a handout. They can take a proactive role in betterment of themselves and their families. There is no better way to experience the true meaning of the holiday season.

Sponsor a family through your local church; give to a local homeless shelter. Do something this year to take the consumer "bite" out of the holidays. Take a stand and do not give into the pressure to buy a spoiled child one more $75 toy that they will use for 5 days, max. It is crucial at this time in American history that we begin to teach youngsters the importance of giving and of public service. At the risk of sounding like a cliché, we really do need to work together to make the world a better place. The younger the children are when we bring these issues into their awareness, the more extraordinary adults we will have on hand to become future leaders. Choosing a charitable cause can be a fun family activity that will produce many years worth of fond memories and enhanced personal and spiritual growth for our children.