CHASING DOWN THE MUSE:A gift in your name

“Hospitality Night” on Friday sets the stage for one of my favorite evenings in Laguna. The downtown stores are open late and people of all ages mill the streets. Shop fronts are brightly decorated with ornaments and lights, and vendors offer hot cider or tasty cookie bites. Restaurants are filled with holiday diners and nearly everyone smiles.

Children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus on his bright red fire engine and line up in front of Santa’s “house” to share their secret wishes. Adults, like myself, hold their child-self close to heart as we eagerly await the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree.

While I thrill at the lights, decorations and the spirit that permeates the air, I find something in this holiday season doesn’t feel quite right. It’s a feeling of — too much. Too much food. Too many parties all on the same night. Too much alcohol. Too many sweets. And certainly, too much stuff!

It seems that everywhere we go in the month of December we carry a gift. That it isn’t so much a choice, as it has become an obligation. We can’t go … without …

How have we come to this? How have we come to this odd ritual where the pile of refuse and unwanted/unused items overwhelm the spirit with which they were given?

I don’t mean to sound like bah humbug, because I love to share, and gifts are a grand gesture of that feeling. But travel in other countries has provided a broad tableau upon which to measure that which is necessary against the excess that marks most of our lives.

And so I propose a change or two. A difference in my own approach. A way to hold intact the spirit of giving, without creating additional waste for over-choked landfills. A way to hold to the true spirit of the season.

Instead of that box of cookies, bottle of wine, or whatever not-really-needed item that I might drag to a party, I’m going to take a receipt for a donation made in the name of the host/hostess to one of my favorite charities or nonprofits. We can balance our desire to give with those whose needs are the greatest.

Here are three of my personal favorites:

Heifer International is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability. The organization’s approach of over 60 years is to help people obtain a sustainable source of food and income. The program perpetuates itself through “Passing on the Gift,” which develops community and enhances self-esteem by allowing project partners to become donors. An example of this would be a family that receives a Heifer cow. The milk would supplement the family’s diet and income, and the first calf would be given to a neighbor.

Heifer Project International, (800) 422-0474.

International : www.habitat.org

Orange County : www.habitatoc.org

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers who help low-income people build homes for themselves. Since the ecumenical Christian organization’s founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has constructed more than 200,000 homes internationally and provided more than a million people with safe, affordable shelter. (714) 434-6200.

Other, more local groups deserving of giving:

www.oceanlaguna.org

The foundation aims protect the area’s beaches, ocean water and watersheds.For more information, call Treasurer Louise Thornton at (949) 715-2107.

www.friendshipshelter.org

The shelter helps homeless adults in Orange County to get back on their feet.

Contact Janet Larkly, (949) 494-6928

Mammal Center

www.pacificmmc.org

The center rescues and treats stranded marine mammals in Orange County. Then the volunteers release them back into their habitat when they have recovered. The organization also seeks to raise public awareness about marine environmental issues.

(949) 494-3050

www.lagunacanyon.org

(949) 497-8324

www.surfrider.org

www.crystalcove alliance.org

362 Third St., Laguna Beach

(949) 494-0761

(714) 997-3000

www.lagunaart museum.org

(949) 494-8971

www.lbschoolpower.com

(949) 494-6811

Art & Design

www.lagunacollege.edu

(949) 376-6000

Historical Society

www.lagunahistory.org

(949) 497-4525

Happy Holidays and thoughtful giving.