Holiday Giving on a Budget
Seven ways to celebrate with love, and not lose your house
By Liza Alwes |
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For Your Parents
Instead of an espresso machine they will never understand, devote a weekend afternoon to performing a community service that your mom or dad would value. For a cat-lady mom, you can easily arrange to spend a few hours helping out at a local shelter. For an academic dad, you can volunteer to offer homework help at one of our excellent Columbus Metropolitan Library locations after school. Our fair city has countless opportunities for service, and giving your time instead of your money this year will really let your folks know they raised you right.
For Your In-Laws
When you're visiting the in-laws this holiday season, take charge of some of the household responsibilities so their holiday workload is lightened. Make a nice meal or two, do the shopping or the cleaning or whatever you feel most suited for. Sometimes the joy of the holiday season can be obscured by the stress of constant cooking, cleaning, and catering to house guests, and I'm betting your labor will lift their cheer more than cookware ever could. And, particularly this season, when many families are fretting over their budgets more than usual, your second 'rents might appreciate your eagerness to forgo gifts that must be wrapped.
For Your Friends and Neighbors
You'd be hard-pressed to think of (and afford) a gift for each of the people who make your life fun - let alone gifts that they would remember for years to come. What they are sure to remember, however, is the time you spend together. So instead of cruising the mall for fifteen individual presents, consider investing in a party to bring everyone together. For added cost-saving, make it potluck. And to make it personal, this is a good opportunity to write a short, sincere letter to each of your guests to let them know explicitly why you are grateful they're in your life.
For Your Landlady
It's not every day that landladies get thanked for taking care of properties so that others can live in them. But if the person you send a huge check to every month takes her job seriously, she deserves at least a little recognition. A modest gift that shows gratitude for the time she took to bring you a space heater when the furnace broke, or her willingness to let you have cats or plant a garden in the backyard, will spread holiday cheer and give her a reason to be prompt the next time something breaks. Simple treats that keep are always a sound gesture; a good friend of mine in New York swears by homemade candied orange peel (which for extra kinky pleasure may be dipped in chocolate).
For Your Dog
Every day is a holiday when you're a dog. All your best friend really wants is a warm bed, food to eat, and the opportunity to offer you his undying devotion. Even when you're overstressed and exhausted, don't neglect to show your gratitude by rubbing his belly and taking him for long walks. It will be good for both of you.
For Your Significant Other
This is a great opportunity to go nuts. Remember that this wonderful sexy person is with you for the love and the life you share, not the books and cologne and luxury alcohol. With that in mind, I have two words for you: sensual massage.
For Your City
Your city has given a lot to you, from the people you've met here, to the meals you've enjoyed, to the balmy summer evenings you've lazed through on your porch, watching bats swoop over the street eating bugs. This year, after your clean house gets trashed, you've consumed far too much eggnog, and you're sick to death of the love and company of your family and friends, give some thought to what you can give back to your area code. Make a resolution to give as much of your love to your beloved city throughout 2010 as you feel while the candles are burning on the menorah and the lights are twinkling on the tree and every other commercial is for diamond jewelry. Check out www.firstlink.org and www.greencbus.org for community volunteer opportunities. Your city loves you. Love it back.
Originally Published: December 1, 2009
