As I type this, I am the only member of my immediate family* not out shopping at this very moment. I know that fighting with the crowds is something of an American November rite of passage, but I am happily at home celebrating the joys of Buy Nothing Day!

“For 24 hours, millions of people around the world do not participate — in the doomsday economy, the marketing mind-games, and the frantic consumer-binge that’s become our culture. We pause. We make a small choice not to shop. We shrink our footprint and gain some calm. Together we say: enough is enough. And we help build this movement to rethink our unsustainable course.” (from here)

Instead of buying new things and reveling in coming home and enjoying that “just off the rack” smell, today I am going to be perusing the many things I have bought in the past. Because, sadly, some of the things I have so happily purchased in the past, I have forgotten about quicker than you can say “holiday sale!” And they need the love and attention they never got…I have been ecstatic to flip through a stack of craft books I had completely forgotten about- now comes the real trouble of trying to figure out what to make for whom!

Instead of rushing around and squabbling over parking spaces, I see this extended weekend as time to relax and enjoy the quiet moments before the holiday crush starts up with parties and gifts and trips and whatnot on Monday. Given my sudden departure back west earlier this week, I am anxious to catch up on projects that have been neglected, cozy and warm by the fire with a cup of coffee on the table next to me.

Because the period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is my favorite. Not because of all the bargains to be had, but because it is the one time of year where everyone holds each other a little closer and takes time just to enjoy being in one another’s company. After a day of giving thanks (although I detest the origins of the holiday, I love getting together with friends and family), consider staying in and continuing enjoying the moment- even if you find yourself at home alone, while everyone else is out to fight the crowds, I think it’s time better spent, creating peace instead of adding to chaos.

Although my Thanksgiving was tinged with sadness, suitcases, hurried airports and a 21-gun salute,* I am thankful for being able to have had the chance to spend the last month in England working with small-scale producers. Now comes the real challenge, figuring out how to revive an industry that’s on its last leg. But that’s what life is all about now isn’t it? Finding a way to live your life holistically instead of departmentally- creating a life worth living that allows for more beauty than boredom and more happiness than heartache.

*one is actually at work
**thank you for all of your kindness regarding recent personal events.