The hustle and bustle of the approaching holidays can be a lot of fun, and energizing! But for many of us, it’s exhausting to think about.

For some of us it’s depressing because we anticipate the loneliness of being forgotten by others. It shouldn’t be this way, of course. Holidays could be a lot more thoughtful, refreshing and satisfying to all of us.

Our recent classes on Voluntary Simplicity and Homemade Holidays brought many reminders of how we can all be happier and more sustainable over the holiday season!

Think about the mad dashes to the mall and the boatloads of money you might be spending on gifts or decoration or food. Think about the mad dashing around to try to get to every holiday party or event. Then, if those aren’t the most pleasant thoughts, think about doing things a little differently this year.

Here are some ideas that will keep you out of the frenzy, which is more sustainable for you. Some of them are more sustainable for Earth, too:

Donations as gifts –

Make a positive difference by giving donations to an organization in the name of your gift recipient! Then re-gift a book or CD from your own collection, with a note of the donation inside.

Swap certificates –

Give “gift certificates” for things you will do for people after the New Year. You can trade certificates with friends – you might bake cookies for your friend’s aunt Martha, and your friend will lube the car for your uncle Henry!

Creative gifting –

Use nice items from around your house to inspire new gifts, such as an Indoor Winter Herb Garden — find an attractive box in your house or garage, & get some herb seeds and potting soil from one of our Kingston nurseries.

Or wash up a funky, fun tin and fill it with your special recipe of nuts or candies or spices.

Look locally –

Shop at local art galleries, craft shows (Kingston Country Christmas is Dec. 11), and our local gift shops. Stillwaters has many gift items, too. You will save gas and contribute to the sustainability of our community.

Think green –

When you do shop, look for Earth-friendly items — made of recycled materials, natural and sustainable woods, locally-made things, and durable products.

Make it meaningful –

If you can, ask your friends or relatives about what they need. Don’t burden them with more cute, but un-needed things that collect dust.

Give wrapping a rest –

Forget the glitzy gift wrap. Old maps, nice tote bags, or craft paper can make nice gift wrap. Use pretty boxes, tins, and other containers that are hanging around your house that don’t need wrapping at all and can be re-used.

Decorate naturally–

Decorations don’t need to be glitzy, either. Look around you outside for all the lush greenery, cones, and bright berries. Add a candle for a lovely centerpiece.

Now about all those parties and commitments – please take care of yourselves. Think about the true spirit of the holidays, a time for all of us to connect in a meaningful way. We don’t want to be rushed and frantic, just in order to be in attendance where we think we should be, but then we’re too stressed to be truly present. Give your friends, neighbors and colleagues the true gift of yourself, at your best and able to be caring, loving and interested in others.

Taking that last point to heart, we have rescheduled the Stillwaters Annual Yuletide Auction to next February. Yes, we’ll have to change the name.

We decided the frenetic pace of the holiday season is not a good time to ask our community to do “one more thing.” So we are taking our event off the calendar and it’s one less thing for you to think about. Happy holidays!

Naomi Maasberg isAdministrative Director of Stillwaters Environmental Education Center.