"Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." The lightlight of my entire year when I was a child was the night (it was always a Monday) when CBS (it was CBS in those days) aired the two very best Christmas specials together: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." For all of my life that I can actually remember, these shows have defined Christmas. They're almost as old as I am, and they still hold up with their simple messages of "on earth peace, good will toward men." (Even as a kid, I sort of skipped over the first part, never having it in me to buy the Supreme Being business.)
Even though I'm about as secular as a person can get, the idea of a season of peace and goodwill speaks volumes to me. But Christmas not coming from a store, I love that. Always have. And I'm not ashamed to admit that, after all these year, that moment of realization in "The Grinch," still chokes me up just a little bit. I am a total sucker for Christmas, for the lights, for the ornaments, for the sights and sounds and smells. And every year, it's about making the season as special as possible, even in the smallest of ways.
The best way to do that, is with what everyone is always searching for—that pure, simple gift from the heart that says "I put some thought into this," where the thoughtfulness matters more than the price tag. Maybe that's why I jumped at the chance to be involved when Netroots Nation staff thought up the brilliant idea of our annual Holiday Bazaar. I couldn't be more pleased to co-chair this effort every year with Linda Lee and Beth Becker. Because how cool is this? We share the stuff we love to make and do with each other, and those special things become the kind of thoughtful, handmade, unique gifts everyone wants to give and receive. It's winning all the way around, particularly because the proceeds help keep the lights on at Netroots Nation while they plan next year's extravaganza.
We've got dozens of quirky, tasty, corny, warm, fuzzy, and completely useful items. That's not even counting the gorgeous stuff. Oh, and this, too.
For everyone who donated an item, thank you so much. To all of you who are about to go forth and bid, well thank you, too! And don't forget, you've only got until the end of the day Tuesday to choose and try to win your item, so keep checking back.
And go bid! It might just make your holiday.