About Local Currency
Archives
Advertiser Directory
FAQ
Business Resources
Join the GLCC
Contact Us
Links
GLCC Bylaws
GLCC Steering Committee
Trade Directory Locations
Home
Today's Date
July 31, 2010
• • •
The Fall Trade Directory is now available.
Click here to find out where to get a copy.
• • •
The next steering committee meeting is October 28 in Cascade Locks. Contact the GLCC for more information.
• • •
Now is the time to order your display ad for the winter trade directory. Contact the GLCC
for more details.
Give with Intention
Winter 2009
By Karen Murphy-Mendez
Yesenia celebrated her 9th birthday in a place where presents are not the norm - though she received many gifts. I grew up in a different place entirely; apparently there’s a difference between our two cultures. At the end of the day I asked Yesenia about her day. She grinned with delight and told me what she had been given,”new shoes, a notebook and crayons, and nine hugs!” I was struck by her joy and the careful counting of hugs. I decided then and there to raise my kids to be just as grateful for humble gifts.
Ten years and two kids later I’m still working for balance between the ritual of giving and receiving gifts and the accumulation of too many presents. This year especially with so many folks experiencing the economic crunch it’s tempting to bag the whole gift giving system altogether.
Before making such a drastic decision here are several reasons why we should keep giving! Giving has been known to increase expressions and experiences of connection, gratitude, sharing, love, creativity, and abundance. In some traditions giving gifts was a way to share wealth within a community. These days it’s also an opportunity to support local businesses and artists, and keep money in circulation during economically stressful times.
Here are few ideas to make the tradition meaningful
- Give with intention by being creative
(homemade, gently used and edible gifts are all good) - Feed two birds with one scone by giving gifts that also serve a purpose
- Shop locally (you’ll find options for every budget and save on gas & shipping costs)
- Shop fair trade (supports producers across the globe)
- Enjoy the process (involve partners, family and kids in the choosing,
wrapping and making of gifts) - Make a donation to a worthy cause in someone’s name
(the annual Alternative Gift Fair is a great resource) - Give an experience (gift a class, night out, massage, etc.)
- When you receive a gift - pass it on by choosing something else in your possession
to give away - Use RiverHOURS to buy a gift certificate for a dinner, guitar lessons, or astrological reading and much more!
Finally, be inspired by a pair of shoes, art supplies, and nine hugs. May your gift giving season be full of similar expressions of love, creativity and abundance!
The Alternative Gift Fair Nov. 22 - Dec. 20
The Alternative Gift Fair is sponsored annually by the Columbia River Fellowship for Peace and the Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The Fair makes it easy for you to give non-traditional gifts to friends and family. Instructions, information and inserts on many local and
international organizations are available at Small Planet Trading until December 20th.
Web site: smallplanettrading.com
Top of Page
© 2004-9 Gorge Local Currency Cooperative, Columbia River Gorge, USA
The Local Currency Education Project is a joint venture of
the Columbia Gorge Earth Center and Gorge Local Currency Cooperative
updated
October 15, 2009
web site by db design • web hosting donated by Hammock Hosting