I’ve been feeling rather like a scrooge these days.

The world’s a mess,

it’s dark december,

and why should i buy more stuff to give to people who already have too much stuff

when so much of the world doesn’t have enough…

The cure?

Decorate your tree with old ornaments and don’t buy a single new one. Be sure to take pictures of the beauty.

Go Christmas Caroling at a nursing home; spend your Christmas money on local kids who won’t get many presents; buy hats and mittens and scarves and donate them to the local Salvation Army; buy food for your local food bank; if you go out to eat this season, tip your server generously as a Christmas present; make gifts of food to give away instead of buying things; or alternately, give gifts from Kiva, World Vision, or Heifer International; visit that friend you’ve put off visiting, because you will regret not doing it someday.  I know this to be true.

And thank God for your blessings. Your health, your wealth, your family, your house, the food on your table, the beauty around you…

Including a well-behaved kitty cat who loves the Christmas tree, and doesn’t bother those low-hanging ornaments.

 

I’m joining up with iPhriday today. Use your iPhone to take some pictures and post about them.