'Tis the Season...

It's Saturday, and it's December now. Which means that many people are feeling the pull to do some 'holiday shopping' this weekend... right?

Well, not me. I was standing outside of my friends Devon & Pam's Queen West apartment building this morning thinking about how much I do not want to face the shopping world today, and I remembered an email that I sent to some of my dear ones a few weeks ago... I suddenly felt compelled to share this message with everyone who might want to read it and so, here it is:

(Sent Nov 19, 2008:)

Hello My Dear Ones!

As this 'holiday season' draws nearer, I find myself filled with the usual dread. Not because I don't thoroughly enjoy those twinkly little christmas lights that crop up everywhere, or even the odd holiday movie... No, I just hate the stupid consumerism of this time of year. I hate how it feels like everyone with something to sell, everywhere, is trying to convince us that if we REALLY love our loved ones we will spend money on them and buy them tonnes of STUFF.

The thing is, I really don't need or want more STUFF. Don't get me wrong, I want your love (I think I have your love - no?) but I just really don't need any STUFF to demonstrate that you love me. I also recognise that it is enjoyable for some to spend money on others and use gifts as a token or expression of their love/friendship/whatever, and that is A-ok with me.

But here's my request: if you choose to spend money on me this holiday season please use it to donate to one of my favorite charitable organisations (two are mentioned below), and then tell me about it with a nice card!

IMPORTANT: Just because you are receiving this email DOES NOT mean that I was expecting you to spend money on me this holiday season. I may be sending you this email simply in an attempt to inspire you to send a similar message to your friends & family... 'cause hey, I think it's a darn good idea!

But... if you DID have your heart set on spending some money in the name of your love for me this year, please spend it in my name by donating either to...

"Head & Hands" (a very cool, grassroots/community-based, youth organisation in Montreal that my friend Nikki works for. "Head & Hands" is committed to working with youth to promote their physical and mental health. This is a very, very effective organisation because of it's long history of working WITH its community to affect change in the best possible ways. This kind of work is very close to my heart and I would give them a million dollars if I had it to give!) www.headandhands.ca

OR

"CarbonZero" (a canadian-based organisation committed to providing the highest quality carbon offsets, sourced through the most stringent verification practices, based on a principle of transparency - to help combat the global warming that is happening as a result of our everyday activities, including the use of electricity, cars and planes) www.carbonzero.ca

You can purchase Carbon Offsets to help support me in counteracting all of the touring I've been doing this year at: http://www.carbonzero.ca/buyoffsets

Okay, long enough message.
Love you all!
XOX
megs

So, in the hopes of inspiring some of you out there to buy nothing for your loved ones, and/or request that they buy nothing for you, I have shared this message. I hope it inspires goodness in the world.

Another idea that I had this morning, if you really feel the need to give something solid to your loved ones, is to go out and buy some food for them to donate to the local food bank.

Or, if you want to feel super productive in your own life (like I do right now!) you can avoid the stores this month and spend time sorting through your own stuff at home, and then gather up your warmest not-used-enough-by-you clothes and accessories (I'm talkin' hats, scarves & gloves here - not bracelets) and donate them to a local shelter. If you are female in Toronto, I recommend taking your stuff to 'Jessie's Centre for Teenagers' (www.jessiescentre.org) - a centre for pregnant teens and teen mothers that I used to volunteer at - it's my donation centre of choice.

Okay, I guess that's all I wanted to say right now.
Fa-la-la-la-la and all that jazz.

Peace.