Yes, I used the word 'holidays'. It encompasses them all- Thanksgiving, Christmas , New Years, and Valentine's Day. You might as well add Halloween to the list because that seems to be where it starts.
The business world seems to think of them in terms of financial goals with comparison charts of sales past and in the future. Whereas they may have that wonderful option to possibly see a bigger paycheck with bonuses, as it goes down the chain to the retail stores, the workers and finally to the consumers, that's where many options end.
The sales are everywhere. Discounts, BOGO, end of season sales, are just some to name a few. There are even days named for sales. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.
But what about the people who handcraft to make a living or those that are on a super fixed income ?
What about the people who would love to gift to friends or relatives, but just manage to put food on the table and heat their homes in the winter? Car repairs or Christmas ? Must life be always circle the pictures in the ads and say ' this is what I would get you if I could'?
Oh, you say there are agencies to help. The agencies help those that need gifts especially with children. To my knowledge they are no agencies, etc. that deal with helping people buy gifts for others. No one is going to shell out a wad of cash and say ' Go to it. Buy what you want for your family and friends".
It seems in this era, handcrafted items , which take time, treasure and talent to make, are often the last thing on someone's list of gifts, when for many, it should be the first or even in the middle. But still, with limited funds, these , too, are often a thing of the past.
The holidays bring visions of high tech or big ticketed items supposedly marked down from prices that may or may not have been raised previously, yet for most, handcrafted items are all that is possible. Might I say, lasts a lot longer, too.
It sounds like I am rambling. maybe I am . I am tired of window shopping for items and going into sticker shock even on sale days. I am going back again to my needle and thread and create some handcrafted gifts for my family and friends.
It's the thought that counts. Right?
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy healthy prosperous New Year.
From one of your favorite Valentine's ,
Lois Valentin
