I know of several friends who are very concerned about the holidays. They just don’t have the budget and can’t purchase the landslide of gifts they used to. They feel guilty, as if only 3 or 4 presents is just not enough.

It’s hard to hear, frankly. I remind them that there was a time when you only gave one gift and chances are, you handmade it. Or you celebrated by sharing food and wine and life. Somewhere along the line, we’ve equated holidays with excess and we’ve never looked back. But if there was ever a time to re-evaluate our attitudes surrounding the holidays, it’s now…and for a number of reasons.

Most of us are feeling the brunt, on some levels, of a problematic economy. Our wallets are a little thinner and our budgets a little tighter. In addition, there is a lot of dissension in our world; a continuing war in Iraq, Africa experiencing nationwide conflicts, just to name a few. Its hard to celebrate fully when there’s so much need and difficulty in so many places. On top of that, we have severe environment issues we’re contending with - more stuff just burdens our aching planet.

Of course, that’s not to say we shouldn’t celebrate. It’s more important than ever to give and receive LOVE during the holidays. Thing is - love doesn’t mean gifts. It means love.

This holiday, practice giving yourself as a gift (no, not wrapped in a bow!) Give your time, your understanding. Give patience in an area you don’t normally give it. Give of yourself. And give the gifts a break. Don’t we all have enough stuff by now? Love is the gift that keeps giving!