Now the holidays come and go and I barely notice. I just have to remember not to try to buy anything I actually need on the Big Shopping Days. And I put balsam fir essential oil in the heating registers a few times, because I like the smell of Xmas trees.

Forced merriment and obligatory empty rituals oppressed me, and now, I am free.

Good luck, Crystal!

Do you have any thoughts about buying foreign-made goods at a locally-owned store vs. buying US-made goods at a (responsible) chain store — in terms of environmental factors, labor practices, etc. Obviously, buying locally-produced goods from a locally-owned business would be ideal, but that’s not always totally realistic. Do you know whether stores like Morgan Imports (which I love!) check the origins of the various products they sell?

My similar conundrum during the holidays is the gifts I buy for local charities such as homeless shelters. If I have a set amount of money to spend, is it better to help two local people by purchasing “responsible” (but more expensive) gifts or to help four local people by buying less expensive, foreign-made gifts at a chain store?

Clearly not all-or-nothing situations, but something I struggle with…

When I lived in Berkeley years ago, the local public library had a “tools library” where local residents could go borrow power tools when needed instead of buying their own.