Tag: giving

Observing Boxing Day Traditions

Posted on by Jordank

The Organizing Blog’s favorite holiday is nearly here, and it isn’t Christmas, Hannukah, Diwali or Kwanzaa. It’s the day practically everyone pays attention to how much stuff they have and where they’re going to put it — Boxing Day!

Observed on the day after Christmas, Boxing Day got its start as an occasion for wealthy English landowners in to present servants and tradespeople with #holiday #gifts. The box — filled with seasonal delicacies and trinkets — was a gratuity recognizing their contributions over the year.

Boxing Day continues to be a holiday in many parts of the former British Commonwealth such as New Zealand, where anyone working gets time-and-a-half. And retailers in the United States use the occasion as an excuse to mark down merchandise and shore up holiday sales figures.

We regard Boxing Day as having a meaning that’s arguably closer to the original and more literal: a day to box up your holiday decorations and extra merchandise and give it to a worthy service provider or charity.

You can observe Boxing Day on Dec. 26th or any day of your choosing. Have some empty boxes ready to collect extra decorations and household goods, clothing that didn’t quite fit this season, books that have been read — whatever you no longer need.

Sort those things out as you bring a close to the holidays. As you see the boxes fill up, set them aside in a special location. As the boxes start to pile up — and this will happen faster than you might imagine — #schedule a #free #donation #pickup at ClothingDonations.org.

Put anything you will continue to use back into their proper, designated places in closets, drawers and bins. And know that you will be getting rid of some of the #clutter that has built up and be able to start the new year more #organized.

Your #donations go to a good cause: supporting programs that help the nation’s #veterans. And thanking #veterans — those who served — by giving merchandise is about as close to the original meaning of Boxing Day as you can get.

Practicing Ecofriendlty Consumerism

Posted on by Jordank

#Holiday shopping is in full swing, and that may have many readers spending not-insignificant amounts of money in an attempt to check everyone off their #gift lists. While getting with the spirit of the #season is a worthy goal, buying all of that #stuff has an impact.

U.S. #holiday spending is expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion in 2024 — a truly staggering amount. And while some of that spending will result in great #gifts and cherished memories, Americans generate 23% more waste in December, according to the Center for Biodiversity.

Many of those gewgaws you select take considerable resources to manufacture and ship, and most will eventually wind up in landfills. Many will contribute to household #clutter. That’s why it’s important to practice #ecoconscious consumerism.

Consider buying (and requesting) secondhand gifts, Business Insider suggests. Buy Nothing groups can help locate quality used toys and clothing, and the #thrift stores stocked by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org are overflowing with one-of-a-kind finds.

Another way to spend sustainably is to give experiences rather than hard goods. Tickets to sporting events, concerts and the theater make thoughtful gifts, and add to the excitement by creating a whole new outing. A gift certificate for a personal care service such as a massage or manicure pampers without creating a lot of trash. Many of these services are local, meaning that you’ll support your community with real dollars and limit the carbon footprint required to manufacture and ship merchandise.

Even a gift card is an ecofriendly gift idea when you don’t know exactly what to get and don’t want to give something that will just get tossed. Americans wasted an estimated $9.1 billion on holiday gifts that were exchanged, sold or thrown away in 2023, according to Finder. Another way to limit your environmental impact is to limit the use of disposable gift wraps. Although festive, they contributes to waste; consider reusable bags or get creative with fabric wraps instead.

You can have a fantastic holiday while creating less #trash. It take a little forethought, but your efforts will pay off with less indoor clutter, a healthier #earth, and good cheer among family and friends.

Make Your Favorites for the Holidays

Posted on by Jordank

While Thanksgiving has a number of traditional must-have dishes, #Christmas, #Hanukkah and the other December #holidays are more open to interpretation. Town & Country suggests a range of “iconic” recipes for main courses such as glazed ham, prime rib and Beef Wellington, as well as sides such as candied yams, roasted Brussels Sprouts and glazed carrots. Not feeling a feast? Just make a variety of finger foods, a charcuterie platter or a crock pot of hot soup; there’s bound to be plenty of visiting and gift-giving going on to keep the family busy, not to mention numerous platters of cookies. There’s really no wrong way to do the holidays! #HomemadeHolidayFavorites

Have a Holiday Movie Night

Posted on by Jordank

When you’re done preparing for the day, the #holidays often include a viewing of a favorite seasonal movie. To make things even more festive, Taste of Home suggests creating a snack or meal that that ties in with your holiday viewing — serve spaghetti and meatballs à la Elf, Clark Griswold’s Christmas Vacation egg nog (saving the turkey neck for cousin Eddie, of course), meatloaf with a side of A Christmas Story, or roast beast like the Whos in Whoville enjoy in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Whatever your tastes, a movie night can provide respite from the otherwise hectic holiday season. #HomemadeHolidayFavorites

Buy Holiday Tins and Platters at the Thrift

Posted on by Jordank

Presentation is half the battle when you’re making cookies or other #holiday treats to #give. Instead of buying new tins, bags and boxes for your edible #gifts every year, visit the local #thrift and #secondhand stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org. There, you can find lightly used decorative tins, platters and plates ready to reuse with your homemade #gifts. The resale of all goods #donated contributes to programs that support the nation’s #veterans, and your festive recipes will make you the star gift-giver of the season! #HomemadeHolidayFavorites