Two thirds of the gifts I have ready to give my children are made by local artisans. The effort of my kids to become more mindful of scaling back the march of consumerism, invites me to try new practices. Plus, the reality that most of them will pack said gifts into suitcases beside their toothbrushes reminds me to go small, so they can go home. 

 

It feels like a triple win, when I can support the talent of an artist while also expressing my love, and igniting joy for someone. 

 

When I picked up the first commissioned piece to be ready, I crumpled on the counter in tears. The artist smiled. 

 

"I take that to mean you like it."

 

It was my turn to feel the circle of creativity completed, when a friend described sharing a quilt I made with her artist friends, just before she mailed it. 

 

"I wish you could have seen their WOW faces and dropped jaws!"

 

Two of the gifts under our tree are intangible. They are promises, and the effort to give them happens after Christmas, rather than before. They will cost me dearly, though no money will change hands. 

 

Benjamin has joined the party as well. He wrote a card inviting his entire family out for dinner, paid for by his cleaning jobs. 

 

It turns out that generosity is within reach for all of us.