LAS CRUCES – This is the joyous time of year when I look
around my adobe abode and two words come to mind.
Downsize. Simplify.
By early November, I’ve usually finished all my shopping,
established a theme for the wrappings and holiday décor and my guest bedrooms
and home office daybed are heaped with gifts.
Every year, I pledge, “Never again.”
And every year, I do it again, anyway.
Progress has been made. Years ago, my brother and sister and
I, all in far-flung corners of the country, decided to quit procuring, wrapping
and shipping huge boxes of presents to one another and our now-grown children.
That helped a lot.
We hedged a little on birthdays. We pledged to send each
other nothing but cards, but my sister and I bend the rules. When we find
something that makes us think of each other, or our artistic mom’s whimsical tastes,
or something we know our sibling would love, we have a serendipitous, spontaneous
practice of sending it along.
We’ve delighted one another, on a variety of non-holidays
and un-birthdays, with whisper-soft sheets, bouquets of Mexican paper flowers
and colorful oilcloth tablecloths.
We’re psychic sibs and we know what we like. Exactly. The
last Christmas we exchanged gifts, we were only slightly amazed to discover we
had presented each other with identical pairs of fuchsia bath towels and woven
Guatemalan tote bags. And we’d managed this little milagro, though she had shopped
exclusively in South Florida and I’d found my twin finds in Las Cruces.
It really is more blessed (and often more fun) to give than
receive, so it’s no hardship to share sisterly treats when the spirit moves us,
especially when there are no deadlines involved. (Something we also appreciate,
since we’re both longtime journalists.)
This year, we came up with another no-hassle gift strategy.
We brainstormed and agreed on three new books we both wanted to read, and
decided we’d purchase them ourselves and consider them gifts from each other.
When things simmer down a little, we’ll have our own little holiday book club,
with a leisurely, in-depth discussion.
I’ve already purchased by books from Sally, in the hardcover
form I prefer after a hard day at the old PC. And Sally has downloaded her Kindle
versions. We have decided to indulge in our favorites and not wait for
paperbacks or library reserves (although that would work, too, for those on a tight
budget). But after all, since they’re gifts, we feel free to spare no expense
and “give” each other the editions of our choice.
I’ve also become more flexible with timelines with friends.
I’ve been collecting exotic art supplies all year for amigas who are starting
their own artistic little business. When I found out they were preparing for
shows in early December, it seemed silly to wait until Christmas.
I packed everything up, took them to lunch, and gave them
their art supplies in late October.
There were no complaints. And I cleared out another space in
my burgeoning gift closet annex.
I do make some exceptions to my gift downsizing policy. It
seems to be the packing and shipping that gets most of us down, so I confine
most gift exchanges to close friends who live within easy schlepping distance,
and we usually exchange little tokens at parties, lunches, dinners or other
low-stress occasions.
And I still do the shipping for my son, grandson,
daughter-in-law and a few far off soulmates, especially if we aren’t able to
get together that year or if I know they are likely to be alone for all or part
of the holidays.
Checks always cheer people up, but I find it can be most
important to send actual, thoughtful gifts to those who profess to want them
the least, especially those good souls I know are prone to seasonal blues.
I put a lot of thought into such gifts, which are often
humorous and inspirational and are specifically tailored to the recipient’s
tastes. And endorphin-revving, spirit-lifting chile peppers are often involved.
Sometimes, the real meaning of the season can be involved in
gift-giving, too. The Wise Men were onto something.
S. Derrickson Moore may be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com,
@derricksonmoore on Twitter and Tout, or
call 575-541-5450.
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