  Spiritual
This week: Preparing for the Holidays Edited by: NaNoKit  
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For many people, the holidays are a special time of the year. Some take part in religious celebrations, some don't, but many meet up with friends and family to catch up and enjoy their company.
The thing is, the holidays can be expensive. Does it really have to be that way?
This week's Spiritual Newsletter has a look at this question.
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It's the start of November, but it's already impossible to escape the signs that the Holidays are only a few weeks away. At least, it's impossible for me, and considering I do my shopping in a small countryside town, I reckon it will be worse for those who live in the city. Commercials and websites are telling me about all the must haves, and when I visit forums, I see people discussing their most wanted gifts. A new mobile phone, a laptop, a television, a new PC or Mac, jewelry, designer outfits, gaming consoles... the one thing that stands out to me is that it's all so expensive.
When I read the news, the economic crisis is everywhere. Redundancy is a reality or looming threat for many, no matter where they live. Many more are having to tighten their belts. Utility bills are rising; winter heating bills can be a genuine concern. How, then, is it possible for all but the very well off to spend hundreds of dollars per giftee over the Holidays? Should we really have to? And if so, why?
I won't lie. I would love a new mobile phone. Mine's so old that it could probably class as an ancient artifact, and it doesn't work very well, so it just sits on my desk, switched off most of the time. And I'd love a new PC, because mine has a tendency to sound like an airplane during take-off if I load more than a couple of pages at the time. A laptop would be cool. I've never had one. And sure, a Wii would be great, especially during the winter months. It would help keep me in shape when the weather's bad and I can't go for walks. They're all lovely gadgets that would be convenient... but truth be told, I don't need them. I have a landline for calls, my old PC still works, and I can always try to motivate myself to do simple exercises indoors. There's no way I would place them on my wish list and expect other people to give them to me.
Not that it's a bad thing if other people do so. If they have family and friends who can afford to purchase such items and give them away, that's great. This isn't always the case, though. There are those who feel the pressure and they go on to purchase items from catalogues, or they use their credit cards, only to spend the next year paying off the bills... and then the holidays are there again.
All this makes me ponder... have we lost track of what the holidays are truly about? Whether or not we're religious, I don't think expensive gifts are the be all and end all of the festive season. For those who are religious, the month of December has a spiritual meaning. For those who aren't, it tends to be a time for gathering with family and friends, to spend some time together and catch up, share stories, have fun. It's about a break in the dark days of winter, and to fill it with light and joy. It's about realizing what you have in your life, and about looking ahead, into the next year, and think about what you want your future to look like.
I'm fortunate, because usually I have many people around me during the festive season. The amount of guests tends to vary between 15 and 22 people. Last year I knew there was no way I could afford to buy gifts for everyone. At first this stressed me out, then I decided that the best gift I could give was a nice meal and to spend some quality time with them. This plan was ruined somewhat by the fact that I was ill on Christmas day, but fun was still had by all.
This year I've decided on the possibly old-fashioned route of making gifts for my guests. I've looked into jams and preserves, and I've finally found out what to do about all the Scotch Bonnets from my windowsill plant. They can be turned into a great hot sauce and marinade. I'll also make chocolate truffles, and once more cook a nice meal finished with Tiramisu.
If you're stressed about holiday expenses, why not look at things you can make, instead of things you can buy? Certainly, even if you're making gifts there can be some expense to purchase materials, but it's usually far less than buying readymade items. And the time, effort and love you've placed in making a gift for someone tends to be really appreciated. That's because you've placed that love in something made just for them.
I realize that everyone who celebrates the holiday does so in their own way, and what works for one person doesn't work for the other. Whatever your plans, I wish you stress free preparations.
kittiara
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
Mogay Ryt  - I never thought of myself as an artist. Now I have to stop coming here once in five months and get serious about continuing the order of human nature-making ourselves feel better (or different) by word, song and sights.
Thanks for writing in! I hope you do stop by more often  .
~~~
Cynaemon  - Hi, Scaredy Kitti, Thanks for a great newsletter. I have always said "I am the little girl from Always Always Land." I don't plan to ever grow up. And yes, I still believe in magic, and dear old Santa Claus. I go to see him every year, and sit on his lap and thank him. And I created my own magical world of Catuary. Take a look. You just might find a unicorn or dragon or too. Best Wishes, Cynaemon
Catuary sounds like a wonderful place to be. I shall definitely have to check it out  . I agree, let's never grow up!
~~~
embe  - The magic of my life as a child,
my first kiss.
I closed my eyes for a moment
wishing a dream to come true
seeing you in the yellow bus
standing up waving a smile
in the corner of my eye.
Jimmy Brown the bully
laughing at me the clown
red in my face to realize
you were staring at him
with your beautiful eyes,
winking as if it were a joke -
Hey, Billy boy can you sing
or dance with me for a kiss
hiding in the gym after school
there we can be best friends.
Surprised, I tried to answer
knowing my voice to stutter
but I closed my eyes to pray -
Oh! If only I may kiss you now
then my fears will fly away.
I'm seven years old today
riding on the yellow bus
waiting to tell my folks,
I kissed a girl at school
her name is Sally May.
Mommy, help me pray
I may marry her one day,
happily in the yellow bus
her smiling kisses for me
to remember yesterdays.
embe, sharing in your lovely newsletter.
Thank you, Embe, as always, for your lovely poetic contributions
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team:
Sophurky  , KimChi , kittiara
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Spiritual: November 09, 2010 Issue [#4072]
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