How are you spreading holiday cheer this year?  Holiday Cards?  What about gifts?  How is this year's economic crisis impacting your holiday spirit?  Let's Discuss!

Robert Mondavi's Variety of Cabernet Sauvignon
Preparing for MN's winter by warming the insides with the best!

Spreading Holiday Cheer - 2008

I'm having a hard time getting into the spirit of the season this year - anybody with me?  Ho ho ho.  The economy is in a free-fall, people are losing their jobs & homes and babies are malnurished because their mother's are trying to stretch a can of formula by cutting it with too much water.  Oh yea, we've got thousands of our brave men & women serving in wars in foreign countries too.  And now the holidays are upon us.  

So rather than toss my hands in the air and get seriously wrapped up in negativity, I've been wondering how I can make more positive differences in the world this season and help out people in need.  So many are trying to survive and get back on their financial feet.  What are you doing?

About a week ago I got an email from the company where I purchased my holiday cards last year.  I looked at it and then deleted it; I couldn't justify the spending.  When I did the math, having sent out over 300 cards last year, I thought about how I could put that money to better use.  Toys for Tots, Caring & Sharing Hands and the MN Food Shelves came to mind.  With the help of my boys, we're going to go out and buy for people that are really feeling the pinch of the recession (yes, they finally admitted we've been in a full-on recession since December 2007). 

We truly believe the magic of Christmas is for children and thinking back, my boys know how lucky they've always been.  I think the lesson in giving will be much more important this year and we're starting to really get into it.  Besides, I realize we're all just one unfortunate step away from being where many American's find themselves today.  That is, in need.

But how will I let people know how much I love & appreciate them?  Well, I'll be sending out email holiday cards.  It may be considered tacky according to Miss Emily Post, but given the cir****stances of our country, I think I'll get a 'pass' this year.

What are you doing to bring holiday cheer to the world?  How are you cutting back?  Let's share - I'm always looking to get more ideas!  What better place than to share them amongst friends in our own community - so let's keep it going!

THAT,  My Friends, is the Spirit of the Season!