An easy way to give at Christmas

Okay. So this year, Christmas is obviously an overachiever. It’s zooming toward us faster than ever. If all indications are correct, we’ll be unwrapping gifts and drinking eggnog on December 15th, thrilled with our over-the-top punctuality and ready to break out the “Happy New Year” noisemakers on December 16th.

As proof, I offer these examples: Last week at the dentist’s office, I heard “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” while getting my teeth cleaned.Two days ago at the mall (while on my way to treat myself to my annual pre-Thanksgiving pumpkin-spice truffle at Godiva) I passed dozens of stores decked out in Christmas glitter and gear. And this morning at the local coffee shop I visit daily, I noticed iced-and-sprinkled Christmas cookies featured prominently…to go with the holiday-blend coffee.

Frankly, all this activity makes me feel rushed. Do we have to hurry up Christmas?

Well, I’m not going to. This year, I’m going to take things easy…and I’m planning to scale back a little too. It may sound like a rebellion against the commercialized Christmas frenzy (or just a desperate attempt to extend autumn so that everyone will want to try my book, Hallowe’en Husbands), but it’s more than that. Because now more than ever, it feels extra important to remember charity, generosity, and goodwill to all.

My first step in doing that begins with Christmas cards. I love sending them to my family and friends anyway…so why not make them do double duty? For a few years now, I’ve been choosing special greeting cards–cards that support a cause that’s bigger and more purposeful than I am, from groups like the Humane Society, the American Cancer Association, the National Wildlife Federation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Alzheimer’s Association…and many more. There are so many worthy charities to choose from, most of whom offer beautiful Christmas cards that support their charitable works. And okay, so buying a pack of greeting cards isn’t quite a world-changer. But it’s a start, right?

My favorite place to find cards like these is Cards That Give. Why not click over and check them out? You could knock off one more item from your Christmas to-do list…and feel good about it at the same time. And as long as you don’t sign, stamp, address, seal, and mail all those cards within the next week or two, you won’t be rushing Christmas at all.

Go ahead. Try it and see! Sometimes, being an underachiever is positively grand.

Lisa