Tag: holidays

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2005.12.23 – holiday rush part 3

So – there are 2 days until Christmas & Hanukkah! 3 until Kwanzaa. Are you ready? If not – here are a few tips to get you through these next few days and have a stress-free holiday season!

– Hard to shop for friend or relative? Why not donate some cash to a charity in the name of your gift receiver? It will make both of you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, while helping someone in need. After all – shouldn’t the season of giving help us to extend our hearts to everyone – not just the people we know? Giving locally is always the best option, but if you want to give more globally try one of the following international groups –

Heifer International – Help hungry families feed themselves by donating the gift of an animal!
American Red Cross – I realize that the Red Cross is getting some bad publicity this past week related to their board of directors, but this should not overshadow the need. New Orleans is still in major disrepair and agony and every little bit helps. Blood, especially helps, so if you can donate it, please do!
Habitat for Humanity International – With all the tragedy that occurred in 2005, this organization is in need all over the world to help rebuild homes and lives.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters – The mission of this organization is “to provide a mentor for every child who needs or wants one”. A great group that helps kids – the future of our planet!

These are obviously just a few of the many many organizations that you could give to. So, be creative and find something in your own city to donate to. You’ll be glad that you did. Nothing beats the feeling of helping out!

Thanks for reading my column and if you liked it please pass it along to a friend! Have a joyous and peaceful holiday season and be safe!

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

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2006.12.23 – holiday gift giving 2006

I realize that this year has not been one of my finest here at backwash. Although it is my 4th year, my posting frequency dwindled immensely. I have no excuse, but I will say that 2007 will be the year of turning over new leaves. Not just in my personal and professional life, but also here, at backwash.

With all that said, I had to be sure and get a gift shopping post in, otherwise it just wouldn’t be me! In past years I have told you about the Holidays the Way They Should Be, The Holiday Rush One and Two, but this year I have decided to write something a bit different. Yes – the same idea of giving and who deserves it, but this time with a spin that I think backwashers will actually enjoy.

It is well known that many readers/writers here at backwash enjoy a good debate. If you don’t believe it, just take a look at the message boards any day of the week. On that bent – here is my suggestion for great gift giving ideas this year.

As you all know (or you will now) I am a liberal. Not just politically, but in pretty much every other aspect of my life. I have the attitude of letting everyone live their own lives and allowing me my freedom to live mine, without outside intervention. The pride that comes from being connected to progressive action is something that cannot be described and I certainly would not want to attempt swaying you.

However, since this is the season of giving – it is only fitting that we think of charitable contributions and dedication. What better gift to give your conservative friend then a subscription to Ms. Magazine. Bring some opposite viewpoints into the household and see how things go. What about a donation to your #1 charity (mine being Planned Parenthood) for your pro-life (I’ll be merry at this time and not use the real term “anti-choice”) buddy. If nothing else, these little charitable contributions work two-fold.

They give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, while also starting a debate that could rock the new year. Bonus!

So – next time you are wondering what to give to your Walmart shopping, basically in the dark about labour issues, cousin – why not a lifetime membership to your local food co-op. What better way to say happy holidays then this? Give them knowledge of great issues faced by other people and help those people out at a time when it is needed.

If you are the non-confrontational type, there is always the gift to your local community mission in the receivers name or a book educating them on these very issues. It might not start WWIII on Christmas morning, but it still makes a statement.

Whatever you do this holiday season, remember to honour those in need by giving what you can. Heck, you should really be doing this all year long anyway, but the holidays tend to bring out the best in us so go for it!

Peace – Hippiegrrl

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2004.12.20 – the holiday rush

Back to the holiday shopping season. I realize that it is a bit past now, but for me it has really just begun. The tendancy for me is to wait until the last possible second for everything, get really really stressed out and generally catch a cold of some kind directly after Christmas that is caused by the level of stress wreaking havoc on my body’s immune system. Such a lovely holiday tradition. Such a wonderful way to spend the season.

I realize that everyone seems to complain about the commercialization of Christmas. That it is somehow “hip” to be anti-mall, anti-buy, anti-hoopla. The difference between the hipsters and myself is that I truly believe that Christmas has been co-opted by big business and that something needs to be done about it. Instead of sitting around and whining about the way things are some habit changes to lessen the reliance on big business are the order of the day.

To help you on your stress-free, Christmas shopping experience I have some suggestions to offer. If you prefer to skip the whole present buying mumbo jumbo please see my article from 2002 – “Holidays The Way They Should Be” detailing alternate ways of celebrating the holiday season.

Ways to have a stress free shopping experience:
1 – Shop at locally owned stores. Often you can get to know the owners and have a leg up on the best sales and when items will be coming into stock. This also supports your local community and gives you the ability to know and understand your local merchants political views.
2 – Bake cookies and assemble them in a lovely cookie tin purchased from your local flea market or thrift shoppe. Be sure to wash the tin thouroughly and line with wax paper before placing the cookie assortment in. This will make everyone happy and is even more thoughtful then that little gadget you thought the person “might” like. Everyone loves cookies!
3 – Make a record bowl from an old album purchased *again* at a flea market or thrift store (instructions on assembling a record bowl can be found here) and pot a small, window sized plant in it. Herbs are the best plants for these planters. A great way to re-use albums in a funky and earth friendly manner!
4 – Make some lovely candles (instructions for making candles can be found here) and arrange in a basket with a holder and some matches. This is *obviously* an adult oriented gift. Include instructions and warnings with the candles so your gift recipient doesn’t get burned!
5 – Shop online! There are still 2 or 3 days left to buy from many sites online. This cuts out the crowds and assures you that the items will be available. At this late date you will definitely want to be sure to pay a little extra for overnight shipping.
6 – The gift of your company is always best. Come to the family party armed with pictures, stories, games and other things that you find at home. Being the life of the party can be even better than buying everyone a gift they won’t use.

Happy Holidays and keep it stress-free, if at all possible!

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

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2002.12.18 – holidays the way they should be

Holiday shopping. A time to wade through the endless sea of shoppers at your local mall and fight them off with your bags of holiday treats. A joyous time of peace and goodwill, as long as everyone on your list receives exactly (or something close to) what they asked for. Is this really what it’s all about? If this is so, then I would like a refund!

For the past three years, my fianc?e and I have attempted to cram all of our holiday shopping into the last weekend before Christmas. We have consciously decided to boycott the malls in search of an alternative shopping experience. At first the reasoning behind this stemmed from the fact that we wanted to support our local vendors. More recently, it has become almost like a quest. We wake up as far before noon as humanly possible for a day off and make our way down to Elmwood Avenue. Being the last Saturday before the holiday it is extremely busy, but a cup of coffee usually gives us the energy we need to scavenge through the shoppes.

Last year, unfortunately, we came in contact with far too many yuppie types for our liking, but we muddled on determined to find the perfect gifts for all. It becomes a sort of race to the finish, as we realize that this is the only day we have left. The last few sorry individuals on the list will most likely reap the consequences, but no matter. At least they are getting gifts, right?

Wrong! This isn’t how it should be. Christmas should be a time of joy and peace, not cutthroat buying practices. With a limited budget and an even more limited timeframe we shouldn’t give in to the commercialism. There are a multitude of reasons for not buying presents, but every year the guilt sets in and we feel the need to buy buy buy.

Well I say it is time to stop! Consider the consequences of our conspicuous consumption. Think about the sweatshops that produce those modern commercial products. Think of the needy people in this world who cannot be consumer whores. Let the world know that the true meaning of Christmas doesn’t begin and end with Santa Claus and the latest talking Elmo doll. Be conscious of these things as you shop and remember that less is definitely more!

Here are some good ideas for holiday shopping. I am going to try to follow these this Saturday when we go on our annual present hunt and maybe you should consider them too.

1 – Don’t buy something for someone just because you feel obligated.

2 – Attempt to find a gift, even if it is inexpensive, that shows the receiver how you truly feel about them.

3 – Be aware of where the items you purchase are made and, if possible, what the conditions of the workers that made them are.

4 – Stay away from malls if at all possible.

5 – Think of alternative gift giving ideas. Baking a batch of cookies for someone can sometimes make them happier than that silly paperweight that you found at the overpriced shopper hut.

6 – Support your community vendors.

7 – Give the gift of love, peace and joy. That is always better then shiny wrapping paper and a big old bow.

8 – Remember the reason for the season and act accordingly. This is important, for the true meaning of Christmas cannot be found on a shelf in any shopping emporium!

I realize that unlike myself, most of you have probably already shopped till you dropped, but if you still have some people left on your list just consider the above ideas. You will thank yourself later when you feel the love of the season now, rather than the slap of your pocketbook come January.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday and a fantastic New Year!

Peace –
Hippiegrrl

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May Holidays and Changes

This week has been crazy. I began a new job and it has been somewhat overwhelming. I love it, but it is taking me some time to get up to speed. Anyone that knows me knows that I am not good with change or being behind the eight ball. I like to know everything about what I am doing and being “in training” is a very difficult place for me. Pushing through will prove to be rewarding but, in the meantime, it is somewhat disconcerting.

At the same time, mother’s day is hovering. All the commercials are about moms and how much they mean to us. Hallmark, teleflora, pampers, etc. all use the holiday as a marketing scheme. This is not a new phenomenon, but over the past four years this May holiday has become extra sad for me. I still have my mom, but the person whom I saw as a second mom has been gone for four years. It is hard to watch these commercials without getting emotional. And with all the changes, it is even worse. I am hoping that a couple days off from the training, a brunch with my parents and the writer, and some time spent in the library will help me get out of the funk.

One thing to look forward to is the end of the month, Memorial Day, holiday. My local drag club (go go gay rights) holds a white party on the Saturday night before the holiday and I will be there with my friends. Good times and a great way to end the month that started with much change (for the better, but still.)

This post may seem frivolous, compared to my usual banter, but I just felt like posting something about me and stuff that is happening in my life. The blog was down for a few days and this is a resurgence for me. Don’t fret… I will be getting back to the politics and human rights posting soon enough, but for now I will be enjoying the rest of May and hopefully everything will be on an upswing from here on out.

March On!
Chantale aka hippiegrrl

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The Holidays and Gender Roles

Studying Sociology has become a double edged sword for me. Over the holiday season, my sense of gender roles and norms becomes heightened. Most of the time I have to keep my mouth shut and ‘go with the flow’, but sometimes I decide that I want to engage in a conversation that will hopefully lead to a better understanding for everyone concerned. This is how I know that I should probably be a professor, but that is for another post. This post is about how people can be one way in their day to day life and then the holidays come, we meet up with family and friends that we do not see daily and things go back to the way they previously were.

I am sure that everyone out there has a story about how the holidays bring out a different side of people. But, what if the side that it brings out is actually the regular, day to day, side and we only experience it at this time of year? When you rarely see an individual, you lose the feel for their personality. In some instances this can be good, but it is a shock to the system when you have to deal with each other for hours at a time. Thinking about this situation can bring up many things. Memories that have been washed of melancholy and are now shiny little examples of what we crave around the holidays. We forget the fighting and the strife and focus on the good. This may be good for the psyche, but in the long run it makes it more difficult to function year to year.

By letting the past stand as a beacon of what the holidays should be, we lose sight of what is real. We try to make everything perfect, to make it match up to our expectations of what can be based on what was. And in this, we fail to see the difficulty that falling back into our previous roles can cause. When gender roles are so tied up in the way that we function, in these situations, it makes things tense. In even the most enlightened family situations sometimes those gender norms sneak up and bite us.

When we interact with different divisions of our family, we may slide backwards when it comes to things we are willing to do to keep the peace. On a normal day, one might be a staunch feminist, but when faced with a holiday, feminism might be put on the back burner. This is a disservice to the holiday season! Better to make it a learning experience. After all, when are you going to get all these people together again? It really is a great platform for dispelling gender norms and for subverting the roles that we often fall into.

So, how do we do this? It may be difficult, but it has to be done. Sometimes there are gender norms already being subverted that you can point out as a starting place. In my family, my mother does the bulk of the planning, my parents go shopping together, my mom cooks the meal and my dad washes the dishes. Although there are still a few gender norms being practiced here, there are also a couple being subverted. 50 years ago (or yesterday, in some places) the mother in this scenario would have done everything listed above, while the dad merely poured drinks and sat in the living room enjoying family and friends. The ladies would have spent the majority of the time in the kitchen; cooking, cleaning and sometimes even eating, away from the family. Yes we have come a long way, but we cannot merely rest on our laurels. We need to continue talking, dispelling, subverting and fighting until there are no gender norms. On the day that we no longer hear the words “that is women’s work” or “this is a mans job” uttered we will finally be equal and free of the constraints that come with being cast in a mold of social and cultural making.

Until next time, good luck in your fight, fellow feminists! We can go further together than we ever could alone so keep it up!

Peace and happy subverting,

Chantale aka hippiegrrl

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The Holiday Rush

During my time writing for Backwash (Hippiegrrl Explains It All – archived here), I wrote many posts on holiday shopping and alternatives to giving store bought, big box stuff. Over the years, the writer and I have tried many alternative ways of shopping (or not shopping) for the holidays. Taking the handmade pledge, pushing ourselves and others to buy local, participating in buy nothing day and culminating in an actual buy nothing christmas in 2010. The underlying urge to change the holiday season has been pushed along by our economic status, but the outcome has made the holidays more enjoyable.

Instead of focusing on buying tons of things and rushing around at the last minute, we have been able to take a step back and breathe. Here are a few ideas that we have come up with that you might like to try. They will make your holiday season more meaningful and less stressful. And after all, shouldn’t spending time with family and friends during this time of year really be the priority anyway?

– Framing a picture that I find in my collection and wrapping it up for someone whom it will be meaningful.
– Baking a batch of cookies and packaging them up in a lovely way for the receiver.
– Making a piece of jewellery that is one-of-a-kind and speaks to the style of the person who will wear it.
– Giving a donation to a charitable organization in the name of the person receiving the gift.
– Creating a coupon book of your time. Each coupon gives the receiver the ability to cash in on your time. For example – “this coupon entitles you to 1 hour of help in your garden!”

The best part of the holidays, by far, is the ability to gather with loved ones and friends. That is my favourite gift of all. The gift of time spent with people that enjoy each others company. If we could all have more of that, the whole year could be a lot better.

Enjoy your holiday season and try to remain as stress-free as possible. Remember that it isn’t about what you give or receive. The memories that are made are priceless.

Peace – Chantale

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from the archives – here we go… 26 november 2007

The holiday season is here. Black Friday (or Buy Nothing Day as we like to celebrate it) has come and gone and we are left with images of crazed shoppers trampling each other on the way into the local Wal-Mart. Highly motivated, yes, but for the right reasons?

In an attempt to make a difference this holiday season, we are going to pledge to purchase handmade items. This pledge will be made through an online group called, interestingly enough, buyhandmade.org. This group is just what the activist ordered. A way to buy products that are produced by the seller. A way to know beyond a shadow of doubt that the products you are purchasing are made by artisans in good working conditions.

Let me back track a bit and explain why this handmade pledge has been made:

– Over the past few years the production for products sold in the US has been largely shipped overseas.
– Products made in foreign countries do not undergo the same scrutiny that products in the US do.
– Working conditions in foreign countries are not monitored in the same way that working conditions in the US are.
– Buying handmade goods will insure that the products purchased were made by the seller under good working conditions.
– We hate malls.
For the reasons above:

We Pledge To Buy Handmade!

Buying handmade isn’t the only pledge I took this holiday season. Buying local is another promise I hope to fulfill. If it works out that I can somehow buy local AND handmade that would be the tops! I’ll follow up in the coming weeks to show my progress and give you some insight into specific reasons for shopping local and handmade. In the meantime – happy shopping! Just remember that people are more important than things. That should be the force that drives you this holiday season, while looking for the perfect expression of love and gratitude for your friends and family members.

Peace!
Hippiegrrl

here are my three favourite local shoppes on the elmwood strip – check them out!
Spoiled Rotten – [where: 831 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222]
Everything Elmwood – [where: 740 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222]
Clutch – [where: 814 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222]

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from the archives – the holiday spirit – 13 november 2008

Now that my birthday is over (and it was lovely I might add) I am ready to move on to the other November holiday. I bet you thought (judging from the title) that this was going to be a post about the December holiday season. Well – you were wrong! Before we start shopping for Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa we need to celebrate Thanksgiving. I realize that each year the Holiday shopping season begins earlier and earlier, but I like to wait until 1 December to shop. That’s just me. Maybe you are different. Either way – let’s talk turkey instead!

This year we are spending Thanksgiving with my side of the family. My mother will be cooking the bulk of the food, but I will be baking my yearly pumpkin twist cookies. I use a recipe that I have modified from this book – Halloween: 101 Frightfully Fun Ideas. I say modified because I don’t bother with all the additional decorating. They are good with just the pumpkin and vanilla twisted together and don’t really need additional sugar to make them tasty. Although these cookies are a big hit I do like to help in other ways as well.

Last year (when I was working) I ran a turkey drive at my place of business. We raised a bit of money and bought 2 dozen turkeys to give out. Our Helping Hands committee chose two worthy recipient organizations and a couple days before thanksgiving we dropped off the frozen turkeys. It was a great thing to do for the two groups and it also helped us to feel good about the Thanksgiving season.

People tend to gloss over Thanksgiving because it gets in the way of their December Holiday shopping season, but I really feel that we all need to take a moment and think about what Thanksgiving means. What are we thankful for? What we can do to make our world (locally and globally) a better place? What was the original Thanksgiving feast about and how can we carry on a more equal and honest celebration? How do we undo the mistakes of the past and move to a better future? These are things to think about at Thanksgiving and beyond. Before you rush out to the stores to fight with other customers for the “latest holiday item” be sure to reflect on the season and what thankfulness really means.

Peace and Happy Autumn!

Chantale

appropriate links:

– Looking for great baking ideas and recipes? Check out Bakerella or Cakespy or I Heart Cuppycakes!
– How about party planning and/or host(ess)ing? Try Hostess with the Mostess
– Mahalo.com is a good source for How to Cook a Turkey.
– The “mother” of all party planners – Martha Stewart gives ideas for a perfect Thanksgiving!
– Not Martha Stewart, but still interesting and fun – not martha.