I can tell it’s getting to be that time of year.  I love to look at catalogs (and of course I recycle) but at some point going through them becomes something of a chore.  I try to get thoughtful, unusual gifts on a budget and I look a lot to catalogs for Christmas presents.  Today, though I got 20 full size catalogs all in one day!  All I could think was that the poor postman must have an aching back.  My husband even likes to look through my catalogs (the toy ones) and I have bought consistently from a few I really like for several years now.  There is a monastery catalog that benefits the monks; they make their own wine, honey and soaps plus print beautiful Christian iconography.  Then there is a catalog called Serrv that contains crafts handmade by women from all over the world.  It is a fair trade organization that protects our environment while empowering women and sending children to school.  They have recycled wall art from Haiti, bedding from India, scarves from Peru, coasters from Kenya, ornaments from Nepal, and Galilean organic olive oil that is building bridges between Arabs and Jews just to name a few.  And I always make sure to buy from Native Americans.  All of these things are handmade and I feel great supporting organizations that are helping people who are working hard to get ahead.  I also think they are nicer gifts than just buying something from the mall.  Every year I try really hard on this.  The American entrepreneur David Green, said:

“You need an attitude of service.  You’re not just serving yourself.  You help others to grow up and you grow with them.”

This year I am going to try to mostly buy gifts that will also benefit others, and I hope it will help remind me of the true spirit of Christmas as I am bogged in catalogs.