Wrapping paper and Christmas cards are part of the tradition but how about being even more creative and environmentally friendly? Sending online Christmas cards isn’t the same but it’s an alternative. If you buy cards get them in a box, buying a single card will cost a lot more. Plus you will have enough cards rather than going out again for anyone you forgot. Of course, look for cards and wrapping paper made with recycled paper.

Wrap presents in fabric: dish cloths, towels, blankets, scarves, pillowcases and clothing. How about giving presents in other containers such as lunch bags, travel cases, laundry baskets, cookie jars, food storage containers, tool boxes, knapsacks and other things people can use again. It’s a present in a present that way. You can also wrap presents in drawings children have made. Pages from comics, magazines, newspapers and books too dog eared to reuse (second hand bookstores) are crafty ideas too.

Skip the bows and ribbons and go with other reusable things like strings of beads, knitting yarn, garden twine and mittens on a string for kids. Decorate the top of the package with Christmas ornaments, fridge magnets, hair clips, seed packages, sample packs of coffee, photos from Christmas past, anything small and useful or just small and pretty.

Furoshiki - a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods.

I believe in Santa Claus. Maybe I just choose to believe. But I think there's more to it. In part it's the Christmas spirit generated in this season, sharing good cheer and love, friendship. Maybe it's the atmosphere of giving and not just taking. Maybe it's the strength of all those children who also believe in Santa Claus. All those things combine and make strong magickal forces. You may scoff all you like. But the fact is this is a powerful time of year. Each person wandering around with their own part in the whole of the Christmas spirit contributes to the power. Each good deed, each gift shared and each friend greeted is part of a huge ritual taking place.

Children traditionally set out offerings for Santa: milk and cookies, something for the reindeer and a tidbit for the elves. We send him notes asking for blessings. Santa also has ritual music and poetry, widely known and frequently chanted at this time of year. The rituals are passed on to each new child, carried along and given new life for each generation.

All those people, no matter what path they follow, know about Santa Claus. He's the focus of the spirit of giving and good will. For children he's the figure of authority, he who must be pleased. Cultural icon, old wives tale or commercial legend, Santa has been given power and there doesn't need to be an actual human being for that power to exist. We don't need to see a man in a red suit driving an air borne sleigh, packing a bottomless bag of toys to believe in Santa Claus. It's all around us, every moment of every day in this season.

So, scoff if you choose. But, I believe in Santa Claus. I like it that way.

Merry Yule, Seasons Greetings and leave Santa a little something tonight.

It's been awhile since you wrote a letter to Santa. I bet he'd like to hear from you. Go ahead, give in to temptation, write Santa a letter and send him your Christmas wish list. Then leave it lying around for your loved ones to... mail. Exercise your letter writing skills and get something you really want under the tree.

Do you remember how to start? "Dear Santa" works well. Here is my own letter to Santa this year. Likely he'll have to check his back lists to figure out who I am. It's been quite a long time between letters.

Dear Santa,

How are things up there in the North Pole? I hope you're keeping warm, you and Mrs. Claus. Let the reindeer sleep in the barn a few nights. Let the elves work late, or later and give Mrs. Claus some cuddling and well, surely you haven't forgotten how that works.

Anyway, just thought I'd send a note. It's been quite awhile since I wrote. I found some delicious sounding coffee recipes. Wish I had someone to share them with here. But, maybe next Christmas. Hint.

So, yes, Santa, as you may have guessed. I'd like a good man under my tree this year. I realize I haven't quit gotten around to putting up the tree. I think working retail slowly sucks the Christmas enthusiasm out of you. I'm around Christmas trees, decorations, and such all day. I can't help that it's kind of nice to come home and only hear the odd Christmas carol on the radio. You must know what it's like, up there, surrounded by Christmas every day.

Still, if you bring the man, I'll put up the tree. Or at least leave that 24 hour Christmas radio station on. Ick!

If you don't indulge in love slaves, that's ok. A digital camera would be a nice substitute. Or, if you're really feeling generous just a stocking full of cash to buy a house would be wonderful. Not something you'd have to make in the toy shop either. Isn't that a bonus? I bet you get tired of wood shavings.

Well, it's getting light outside. I think I'll start some coffee brewing and see if there's any sign of reindeer outside.

Seasons Greetings to you and Mrs. Claus, all the best,

Laura

Christmas, by that name, is a Christian holiday, Christ's Mass is how it started as far as I remember. Also, if you want to get technical, holiday is also a Christian word, coming from holy day, the long, extended version before the remix.

I was thinking tonight, do you call it Christmas or always religiously, in a semi-fanatical way, call it Yule? To me, I don't think the small things are worth fighting against the tide over. I don't mind calling it Christmas or a holiday. I know what it means to me. I know where it comes from, historically and spiritually.

I also know how I celebrate it. I don't go to a church, not one recognized by the average Yellow Pages phone book. I live in my 'church' it's always with me and all around me. Mostly, I just like being outside. That's when I feel closest to everything that matters and makes me feel good.

So, for me Yule or Christmas, is about time outside as well as our family traditions. The Christmas tree, singing carols, the exchange of new pajamas on Christmas Eve, the big dinner, making bread together, driving around admiring the fancy coloured lights, and so on. My favourite things are fresh, new snow on Christmas day and admiring the tree all lit up and decorated with ornaments we've made and kept from year to year and relatives past.

However you feel about Yule, remember the spirit of the season. Don't insist people recognize you as Pagan, call it Yule whenever you might be listening and don't make someone feel their Christmas is less than your Yule. Play nice. Religious tolerance works both ways.

Just today, I found myself and this website mentioned in a book. The O'Reilly Essential Blogging book in which Ben and Mena Trott are among the authors. I'm on page #230 with my blab about blogs. I had no idea my comments were chosen for the book. Pretty nice year end surprise. Maybe it's a sign of great things to come.

Who knows maybe Harlequin and all those women's magazines will just flock to put my words into print. Yeah, and after that I'll start dusting off the plans for my world domination plot, the one where I'm empress of the world. I'm a very good empress btw.

Now I really do need to fix all the little things around my site. Plus work on getting my new graphics (homemade) scanned and loaded up. Wait till you see them, you'll be completely blown away, that or get the hiccups laughing. Either way works for me. ;)

Corrections About Christmas

I must correct my Christmas blab. I did get three presents and counting now. Before Christmas my brother let me have $50 to change my drivers license from US to Canadian. Afterwards he told me to keep the money (I didn't need to pay him back) and get that food steamer I had told him I wanted for Christmas. The food steamer I got on sale for less than $25, so that was a nice Christmas present. I just didn't think of it when I was writing because it was pre-Christmas. Since Christmas my sister Grace (home visiting) bought me the inhalers I needed. I had given her my bank card but she didn't use it. So that was nice of her. Thirdly, today my Mom said she is giving me $200 for Christmas. So Christmas was a time of giving afterall.

In case you're wondering... I gave everyone something for Christmas too. But I didn't spend much due to not having much to spend. Likely I've spent more on gassing the car than anything or anyone else. I hope working at Zellers will keep me in coffee once I ask (and get) full time. But, I'm going to ask once my 3 months probation is up. Hoping that goes more than well. I've even been so bold as to ask people to fill out the customer service comment cards. So far both people I asked were glad to do it. But, I knew they would be since I spent extra time helping both of them and they were nice, cheery people. Just another 8 cards to go and then I can get a silver ID card. Won't that look good for my 3 months probation. :)