Real Economic Impact is the mission of National Disability Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on creating a better financial future for Americans with disabilities.
In years past, I sent my editors Godiva chocolates for the holidays to thank them for giving me work during the year. You know Godiva - the top of the line, deluxe, practically sinful chocolatier. With prices to match. Last year I cut back to using a Vermont chocolate company. But this year and with this tough economy, it’s strictly homemade from me:
I’ll save about $30 on this one gift. I have a friend who used to give designer handbags to close friends but this year is making her own floral watercolours suitable for framing. Another friend is giving small poinsettias she tended herself. I think, in short, it’s a homegrown Christmas.
To get you started on ideas for your own Christmas DIY, visit the DIY Network’s holidays website. Christmas cards can be glued, stockings velcroed, candy made and cookies shipped without going into debt. Did you know that the average shopper will spend $700 this season?
Cutting down on some of the shopping I would usually do allows me to splurge a but for my church and its Giving Tree. I plan to find a few deluxe beauty products and place them in tissue paper into a holiday gift bag marked “For a woman.” They will be distributed to disadvantaged families in our town. It may not be a Godiva year but some folks, especially in this economy, deserve to be spoiled.
Happy Homegrown Holidays,
Cindy
- - - - - - - - Cindy Battles is a freelance writer based in Rutland, VT, winner of the National Disability Institute’s 2008 Blog Contest and a regular contributor here on the Real Economic Impact blog.
