On Your Mark! Get Set! Stop.

Every year Americans seem to run the same Christmas marathon: beginning around Thanksgiving, we start the gift run to Christmas, saying all along the way that we shouldn't spend so much, that gifts are not the "reason for the season," that no one needs anything else. And every year, pretty much, we finish the holiday marathon with more gifts, more debt, more stress under the holiday tree.

But how to stop this? How do you opt out of this seasonal race? Well, I'm not much of a runner--we give gifts to immediate family (including each other, kids, siblings, parents, and an aunt and uncle), a very few number of friends (mainly because they send us gifts), and people who help us (babysitter, teachers, mail carrier, minister, etc). Not too many, not too much. But how do you even decrease the financial toll that this little bit takes?

First I should say, we don't want to eliminate holiday giving; we like the excitement, the tradition. Hell, I like unwrapping gifts and getting new things! Nor do we want to make rules for other people. We won't be organizing a family charity event or name-picking system. We won't be limiting grandparents (I know, I know, Gommie, you already think I give you several guidelines. I see it as suggestions and if you want to give Bud that 6' tall, 3-D foam dinosaur puzzle for ages 8+, you just go right ahead!!). But we do want to decrease the focus on cost and quantity, especially since the kids are more aware of it all this year (though they don't even know you can make lists for Santa and ask for particular presents. Let's keep it that way.) This is our chance to get out of the holiday race--or is that get ahead?

I think, for us, we want to limit what we spend on each other (because we are incorrigible about this) and make more meaningful what we buy for us and the others. And so I was struck today by a series of articles and links in the NYTimes about holiday spending and how to decrease it. My favorite was Get Rich Slowly's 34 homemade gift ideas. I think this is the route I'll be going for most gifts this season. Sure, there is supply costs involved, but I like to think that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Certain people will still, of course, get particular store-bought gifts. I like to remember the distinction between a gift--something you give someone because you think they'll want it--and a present--something you present to someone (and perhaps not as individualized, or thoughtful, as a gift). I don't want my homemade things to be presents I give that are more about me (and my creativity) than about them (especially in the instance that everyone would get the same thing. Ugh). But I do see them as little tokens of love, affection, and care. So it will be a combo of things this year. Besides, I like making things much more than I like shopping. And the kids will enjoy getting into the act. And so here are some gifts, my own top ten list that I hope to make this holiday season (because, yes, of course, I know I am running out of time):







*************SPOILER ALERT for those of you on my Christmas List**********************

1. Cookie Cutter candy: Buy metal or plastic seasonal cookie cutters. Lay these out on aluminum foil greased lightly with cooking spray. Make rocky road candy (or bark, or even fudge) and spoon it into cutter (or, in the case of fudge, cut it with the cookie cutter). Allow to harden. Place in decorative bag and tie with pretty ribbon, including recipe (see below for Rocky Road).
2. Homemade Soap: I have this glycerin soap kit I bought on clearance at a craft sale. I've always wanted to try making soap. Now I'm going to.
   
3. Personalized cookbook: All my favorite recipes are stored electronically in three volumes. I'm finalizing edits and will be printing these out to give to people. For locals, there might be samples of candied nuts, candy, fudge, quick breads.


4. Tree Ornaments: There are wooden ornaments for the kids to decorate with markers, glitter, and other doodads. Who can resist a child's homemade ornament?
   For me to do, there are hand-stamped ornaments: Gather a selection of holiday (or other) rubber stamps, cookie cutters, inks, and polymer clay like Sculpey. Roll clay thin, approximately 1/4". Apply ink to stamp and apply image to clay. Cut shape out with cookie cutter. Make hole in ornament with juice box straw. Bake according to package. Glaze with sculpey glaze. Attach ribbon.


5. Coffee mug candles: In the same pot I use to make glycerin soap, I am gong to make coffee mug candles, inspired by Martha Stewart's much more dainty teacup lights.
   
6. Personlized Photo Magnets: Buy a package of business-card sized magnets at an office supply store. Print wallet sized photos. Merge. You could also, for kids, make your own ABC magnets or anything of that ilk.
7. Knitted Amigurumi: Little Japanese knitted stuffed animals very popular with the Etsy crowd.
8. Fleece blankets: tied or sewn blankets made of two pieces of fleece.
9. CD/CD-Rom/DVD compilations: Of favorite music, photos, home video clips. This I'll need help with from Mama . . .
   
10. Handpainted Everything: The kids' are great painters--they can do shirts, hats, totebags, you name it. And what they can't paint on, I can make iron-on photo transfers for.

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Easy Rocky Road

A standard and reliable candy. I have recently seen an alternate that adds 8 chopped candied cherries—might be good.

2 cups (12 oz. package) chocolate chips

¼ cup butter or margarine

2 tablespoons shortening

3 cups miniature marshmallows

½ cup coarsely chopped nuts

Butter 8 inch square pan. In large microwave-safe bowl place chocolate chips, butter, and shortening; microwave at medium for 5 to 7 minutes or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Add marshmallows and nuts; blend well. spread evenly into prepared pan. Cover; chill until firm. Cut into 2 inch squares. 16 squares.