Save the Planet, One Tree at a Time

Buy an artificial Christmas tree. People love my blue and silver disco tree which I got at a yard sale a few years ago. It is very festive! On average, over 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year-those are trees we could be saving and using for oxygen, housing material, and paper products rather than as decoration for a small amount of time. When you purchase an artificial tree, you will save money within the first few years and they look just as nice without the mess of pine needles! For more information on the history of the Christmas tree, go to urbanext.illinois.edu/trees/facts.cfm.

Support Diversity in Education

https://www.folkartsrajasthan.org/

New York-based Folk Arts Rajasthan (folkartrajasthan.org) and India-based Lok Kala Sagar

(LKSS)-meaning “local folk arts society”-are nonprofit organizations joined since 2005 by a

shared vision of a thriving and just future for The Merasi people and their unique musical

culture. The Merasi of northwestern India carry a powerful legacy of 38 generations but they

also carry the burden of the still-enduring caste system. To reclaim an identity as storytellers,

the Merasi of Jaisalmer have shed the derogatory caste label Manganiyar, meaning beggars.

The name Merasi, instead means musicians, and is a symbol of self-determination.

  The FAR-LKSS collaborative approach recognizes that education, preserving this intangible

cultural heritage, and achieving social justice for a continually marginalized people are mutually

dependent goals.

  In the face of obstinate hierarchical norms, FAR and LKSS are together nurturing a generation

of ambitious and capable youth with their programs. Significantly, two FAR scholarship girls,

Sitara and Mobeena Khan, participated in a 2014 US-based international science conference,

after their project won awards at both local and state level in Rajasthan. In February 2015, a

troupe of Merasi youth traveled to Mumbai to play in the prestigious Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

and exchange cultural activities with students at a variety of schools.

People Are Resources,Too

Make plans to go to a local nursing home and visit an elderly resident who hasn’t gotten a visitor lately. Receiving extra one-on-one attention can be very rewarding for the resident and you’ll be surprised how interesting their life is once you start talking to them. Especially with the holiday’s coming, think of those who might not have family nearby who would love good company at this time of year. Nine times out of ten, you will end up receiving much more than you give to these elders, who have wisdom, stories, advice, and love to offer.

A Golden Ticket

Not many things will ruin your day quite like getting pulled over by the police. But when police in Lowell, Michigan, recently stopped 50 drivers for minor violations, the surprised motorists wound up getting their Christmas wishes instead of traffic tickets. Officer Scot VanSolkema chatted with the not-so-happy drivers, asking what they or their kids wanted for Christmas. Unbeknownst to anyone else, his buddies waited in a nearby shop, listening via radio before rushing to buy, wrap, and deliver whatever the drivers had named, including toys, an Xbox, and a high-definition TV. Said one happy driver: “This just turned my bad day into a good one.”

Giving a Gift of Sustainability

https://www.heifer.org/

Have a friend or loved one that wants something unique for Christmas? Visit heifer.org to view and purchase some of the most helpful and generous gifts that can be given- but they don’t fit in a box and they won’t arrive on your friend’s doorstep.

Heifer International is an organization that works with communities to end hunger and poverty by providing sustainable agriculture and animals to families in need. You can “purchase” a goat for $120, a flock of geeses for $20, or a hope basket for $50, or browse the website for other options. These gifts are priceless (figuratively) and won’t go unappreciated or unused. Think about the positive impact you can make on a family-a world difference,  actually!

Operation Christmas Child

Make Christmas special for boys and girls around the world by packing a shoebox with new toys, school supplies, and socks. Go to samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box for more information on how to pack a box. You can choose the gender and age group for your donation, and you can even track the box to see where it ends up! For even more packing ideas, check out: faithfulprovisions.com/2012/10/01/101-operation-christmas-child-shoebox-ideas.

Have a Do-It-Yourself Christmas, so Start Crafting Now!

Make your Christmas presents this year. It’s more personal and you will save money. From a tin of homemade fudge to a colorful knitted scarf, your family and friends are sure to appreciate your hard work and thoughtfulness. You can also think bigger! Knit, sew, and quilt your way to a better world with the organizations below:

    *The Mother Bear Project gives hand-knit and crocheted bears to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations so they know that they are loved. (motherbearproject.org)

    *Socks For Soldiers knits socks for those on active duty serving in the Middle East (socksforsoldiersinc.com)

    *Stitching Up the World knits, crochets, and sews items to donate to chemotherapy patients, Special Olympic athletes, and others in New Hampshire. (candiawomansgroup.org/stitching/index.html)

    *Threads of Love provides clothing, blankets, and other handmade articles for premature and sick infants. Threads of Love has chapters in the United States, Canada and London, England. (threadsoflove.org)

    *Tiny Stitches is based in Gwinnett County, Georgia and provides basic layettes to disadvantaged newborns in north Georgia. They also provide burial ensembles to families who lose an infant. (tinystitches.org)