Ah, the Christmas list. We want to give thoughtfully,
generously and from the heart to the people who fill ours.
But the task can be daunting, the money insufficient and the
ideas sparse.
For gift-giving inspiration, why not look to the spirit of
St. Francis and “Laudato Si'” (“May You Be Praised”),
the encyclical penned by the pontiff who adopted the name of
the nature-loving friar?
Published earlier this year, the work challenges the faithful
and non-believers alike to consider the destruction we have
inflicted on the environment and our fellow humans,
especially the most vulnerable, and to meditate upon the
beauty of creation.
“St. Francis, faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature
as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us
a glimpse of His infinite beauty and goodness,” writes Pope
Francis.
One way to “care for our common home” (the subtitle of the
pope’s document) is to give “green” gifts – items or
experiences that have a small ecological footprint.
“A person who could afford to spend and consume more but
regularly uses less … shows the kind of convictions
and attitudes which help to protect the environment,” Pope
Francis writes in “Laudato Si.'” He also says that
reusing something instead of immediately discarding it, “when
done for the right reasons, can be an act of love which
expresses our own dignity.”
With the pope’s words in mind, here are some gift ideas for
loved ones young and old.
Costume box
Fill an old suitcase or decorated box with cast-off clothes
from your closet – adding funky hats, wigs or other
accessories from a thrift store – to create dress-up outfits.
Membership
While many D.C. attractions have free admission, membership
to a nature center, zoo or kids museum often offers perks
like free parking, exhibit previews, tours and special
events.
Explorer kit
Peruse Craigslist or eBay for a microscope and slides,
binoculars, maps and magnifying glasses for a kids explorer
or young scientist kit. Look around thrift stores and your
house for other creative additions, such as a compass or old
leather-bound journal.
Donation
Pick a cause your loved one cares about – the environment,
social justice, life issues – and make a donation in his or
her name.
Fair trade gifts
Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade, through a partnership
with the nonprofit Serrv, offers a variety of
gifts. Your purchase helps farmers and artisans improve their
lives through sustainable trading systems. CRS also partners
with Ten Thousand Villages fair trade stores. Find a store
near you here.
Date night
Give frazzled moms and dads a night off by babysitting and/or
buying them a restaurant gift card.
Coupon book
Compile a booklet filled with acts of service for your
husband or wife. Some ideas: “I’ll make dinner tonight”;
“I’ll fold the laundry”; “Sleep in this morning, I’ve got the
kids and breakfast covered.”
Local veggies
Community supported agriculture brings members seasonal
vegetables or dairy items from local farmers. To find a CSA
for the foodie on your list, go here.
Time-tested recipes
That banana bread recipe you’ve tweaked to perfection (and
are willing to divulge), the pie crust recipe that’s been in
your family for generations – compile them in a recipe
file-card box or homemade recipe book. Shutterfly and other
Internet-based services can help create a
professional-looking book.
Memories
For grandchildren or older children, wrap a special item – a
doll you’ve kept from your childhood or an heirloom jewelry
box – with its story in a handwritten message. The note gives
them a piece of your history to cherish.
