Christmas is not too far off and although many of us adore the tradition of Christmas, we also dread the crowds, the hype, the marketing, and the commercialised expectation of the “perfect” Christmas which none of us can live up to. When the marketing gurus realise that money can be made out of something which might be quite ancient, spiritual and profound, it’s very easy for the rest us to get seduced by all the sparkly bits and forget the real meaning behind the celebration.

But I think the world is becoming a savvier place. More and more I notice people rejecting the hype, the big spending and giving Christmas gifts with more meaning: volunteering at a shelter, giving the gift of experience over material possessions, planting trees as a gift to mother earth and insisting everyone exchange homemade gifts as opposed to fancy new items. And just giving the gift of your time and love. I remember offering to cook a special meal for my relatives when holidaying overseas. It was snowing, I had done my dash in the cold, the cooking was really fun and it was lovely to gift a delicious meal to a time poor couple.
One of the most effective ways to continue to enjoy what you love about Christmas is to find ways to tap back into the spirit of the celebration. We do this in yoga, where we set an intention to tap into the spirit of the class and what we want to achieve in that yoga class. So, before the Christmas season starts, set out your intentions of what you want to get from this celebration. You might choose to attend a Christmas service to help you and your family connect with the true meaning of Christmas. You could purchase most of your Christmas gifts from local artisans and shops. You could purchase most of your Christmas feast from local farmers markets, co-ops and local grocery stores. By shopping locally instead of the big box, consumers keep their communities from becoming “ghost towns” (areas devoid of neighbourhood shops and services).
You could pare down the gift giving by following the 4-gift rule purchasing: One Material Gift – purchasing one gift for each person that is strictly something they want. One Experience Gift – an annual pass to the local museum, wake-boarding lessons, a music concert, or a couple of yoga classes! The memories from the experience live on a lot longer than the plastic toy. One family gift – perhaps some money towards that holiday, or a new tent or some sporting equipment. A gift or donation to your favourite charity, animal or human, making this Christmas special for those less fortunate.
From Hamilton Wright: Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Margot Wagner
Yoga Under the Bodhi Tree
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