It’s the time of year where everyone is sharing their gift guides. I used to love gift guides. I’m a sucker for a well-edited list of beautiful things. But this year, I’m not giving in to any of it. I will not participate in the capitalist notion that I buy so therefore I am.
Whether it’s a small business or large online monolith, everyone is trying to get us to consume. And we’re more than consumers. We have to be! We’ve been consuming everything in our sight on this Earth for too long and it’s about time we learn to be creators and healers and regenerators.
I saw a billboard recently near Bishop, California that said something like “Artists need to create at the same scale society has the capacity to destroy,” and later learned it was from Metabolic Studio.
We aren’t here to be consumers. We have a deeper purpose. A deeper reason for being and when you uncover that, it’s the gift of a lifetime that keeps on giving!
Here are five ways you can transform your holiday gift-giving!
Think in closed loops
What can you give that creates zero waste? What can you give that regenerates the Earth instead of destroys it further? There may be some companies who are doing good work but make sure it’s not just green-washing. What about planting trees or making something from this year’s harvest? I’ll be gifting acorn flour muffins and hoshigaki (hey when you’re lacking for physical touch, why not massage a persimmon?)
Give the gift of Nature
Spending time in Nature is one of the best ways we can love the Earth. Why not take your loved ones out to the forest and spend some quality time together? Leave your phones at home and slow down. Make a mandala and give offerings to the Earth. When you give to the Earth, you give to everyone.
Found nature objects like feathers and homemade remedies like cottonwood bud salve make sweet gifts!
Make something!
The best way to quell the desire to consume is to make something…anything! Bake cookies, learn to knit, make a wreath…whatever it is, it has special healing energy when it comes from your heart and hands and will make the best gift. I’m gifting lots of DIY natural plant dyed garments this year.
Give it all away
What if we used the holidays to give away things we no longer need instead of gifting new things? Have a coat drive and give to organizations you want to support. On a spiritual / metaphysical level, when you give, you open yourself up to receive something greater. It’s all about reciprocity!
The best stuff is vintage
People often ask what to wear while forest bathing and I believe the best stuff is either vintage or made by hand. The more natural the fabrics, the closer to the Earth you feel. Both Patagonia and REI have pre-loved sections on their websites. Ebay and Etsy and great resources and I’m sure there are cool vintage stores wherever you are.