Give a Beautiful Loaf of Bread



Did you ever consider giving food or consumables for the holidays?

John Perry was a founding member of The Compact, a San Francisco-based group that swore off new purchases for all of 2006.  He has helped change the way thousands of people think about sustainability.  More than 1400 members from Tokyo to Jerusalem pledged to borrow, barter, repair and buy secondhand whenever possible.
As the group nears the end of its yearlong challenge, it readies for a renewed commitment in 2007.  To help relieve the “consumer hangover” of the holidays he offers some advice:

“I favor experiential gifts that can be shared with others like a beautiful loaf of bread from a local bakery or wine from a nearby vineyard.  For kids I’ve found a lot of great things on Craigslist.org – that’s where I found my son’s first bike, a bright red Huffy that was still in the box.. I bought it for $20.”
We all have so many things.  Our family has spent the last five years cleaning out closets, dressers, storage areas and work spaces so that our home gives good energy instead of stagnant, cluttered energy (Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui).  So, I cannot imagine getting more things for the Holidays. 
What has worked well for our family is giving edibles and things that people can use every day.  I enjoy finding locally made products such as: dried fruits (sulphur free), olive oil, cheeses, wines, teas, mineral salts, herbs, honey, chocolates and other delicious edibles to give as gifts.
Other ideas are organic body products that are made locally. Please see “Ideas for the Holidays” for specific companies to look into, and also check out the book by Danny Seo, Simply Green Giving. It has lots of great, simple, inexpensive, yet elegant gift ideas.
Food always brings joy to the receiver as there is nothing more fun than receiving something delicious to eat.  One word comes to mind when gifting in this way: Community. So, instead of buying more “stuff,” make or buy something delicious that will warm the heart of any recipient. Give a beautiful whole grain loaf of bread to break at your Holiday table.

“ This food is the gift of the whole universe – the earth, the sky and much hard work. May we live in a way that makes us worthy to receive it.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh