"Avoiding Holiday Excess"

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That's the title of a "news" item on the MSNTV home page. Apparantly, gluttony, selfishness and conspicuous consumption have been so ingrained into winter festivities, that it's becoming a health problem.

I'd argue that it's also an environmental problem. I go through your trash after xmas; I see what useable goods you throw away. I see the yards of wasted: paper, lights, garlands, ribbon, trees, fabrics. When I can, I rescue them and reuse them. And I always wonder: how can people justify compromising their children's futures by discarding so much decoration for one day?

Here's how to avoid holiday excess. And I think it ought to become a winter holiday tradition.

Wash, dry and fold up your old blankets, clothes and shoes. Tuck them in clear, plastic bags. Make sure you label them, including gender and size, where appropriate. Set them in alleys, under bridges, in front of food pantries and shelters, in front of social services offices: anywhere low income and homeless people show up.
Make sure you put a sign that says, "free."

Now, clean out your refrigerators, freezers, cupboards. Bag everything you won't eat up and do the same, handing the food to people where ever possible. Mark the date on perishable foods, so people will know if it's safe to eat.

Resolve to do things differently next year. Don't buy fancy wrapping papers and ribbons that can't be reused. You can make your own, without using up much time. There are lots of instructions on the 'net for potato printed papers and such. Martha Stewart's a good place to start.

Stop buying cheap, over-packaged crap from wal*mart, just to check off a name on a list. Wal*mart is a bad place; stop going there. Buy hand-made stuff. There are craft shows, seniors' and other community center gift fairs, etc. You'll have more fun shopping; you'll help people who really need the money; you'll find unique stuff; you'll keep the trash down because there's less factory packaging.

Buy decorations that become family heirlooms, not cheap junk made by prisoners and child labor. Keep it simple; the less you have to put up, the less you have to take down. Before you buy something, really think about whether it'll go in the trash or go into storage for next year.

Home cook more foods. You don't need gravy in a can; it only takes a minute to make gravy from scratch. Same with other treats. The amount of time you'd waste in a fast food drive through line, searching for parking space in a big box store and fighting crowds, etc. can be better utilized with friends and family, making stuff yourselves.

Remember why you're celebrating the holiday. It's not so the kids can return to school with the latest fad clothing or toy. It's not to show the neighbors how extravagant you can be with the electric bill and decorations. It's not to impress coworkers with your catalogue skills and internet shopping.

I seem to remember a story about an unmarried, homeless teen mother. I seem to remember a story about oppressed people, without even enough oil to keep the temple lamp lit.

Your very religious traditions admonish you to see real value and not be seduced by excess!

Start a new tradition. Don't participate in excess. Make the winter holidays an opportunity to SHARE your blessings and priviledges!