Local Economies
EVERYDA Y GREEN
Gifting Local Susan Guyette
This holiday season may bring out our inclination toward hoarding versus generosity. The choice is ours to see scarcity or abundance, isolation or awareness of our relations in nature. The words of Rebecca Adamson, the Cherokee economist, point the way. Maintain the stance of abundance through tough times and through good times by having a spiritual base and good values—by caring about something other than yourself. That’s how you maintain abundance. Abundance comes not from stuff. In fact, stuff is an indication of non-abundance. Abundance is in the sacred; it’s in the connection of love. We will find abundance through hard times when we find each other.
GIFTING OPTIONS
Choosing to buy locally is not only gifting to your friends and loved ones but also to local producers. It is a gift to the community—as the future economy is being created with each local purchase. Instead of being caught up in the hecticness of the season, engage in compassion through gifts from our regional ecosystem.
Local purchases keep both land and traditions alive.
Celebrate the sacredness of the land and learn to take only what we need. This is a way to connect to true meaning. Food is a gift of nourishment from Mother Earth. Here are some of the handmade local items you can find at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market (Sat. and Tues. 8 to 1): ristras, wreaths, baskets (pine needle, red willow), beauty products, chicos, piñones, lavender sachets, mustard, pecan honey, red chile, green chile, almond garlic, cheese jarred in olive oil, apple cider, hand-knit hats, herbed vinegars, pinto and anasazi beans, salsa mixes, raspberry jam, ginger jam, red chile ginger, local honey, apple chips, cornmeal, atole, dried stew mixes, sage sticks,
candles, homemade soaps, lip balm, sheepskins, beaded feather fans, dried herbs and tinctures. Some of these items are artistically grouped in gift boxes. If you include a recipe or local history with your gift, the product will be transformed into an especially meaningful New Mexican treasure. The Artists’ Market on Sundays at the Farmers’ Market Pavillion (1 to 4 pm) features local authors’ books, teas, jewelry, paintings, photographs, aprons, scarves, hats, ponchos, tinwork and toys. In addition, the Farmers’ Market Gift Shop is open both Saturdays and Sundays during market hours. Santa Fe’s art markets are renowned worldwide and bring in thousands of tourists every year. Art shows abound during December—featuring New Mexico pottery, Native American arts, traditional Hispanic arts, weaving, paintings, photography, sculpture and contemporary arts. Here are a few:
Santa Fe Artists’ Market (Saturdays, 8 to 2) Manhattan at Market St. www.santfeartistsmarket.com Dec 1-2: Winter Spanish Market, SF Convention Center, www.spanishcolonialblog.org Dec 4: Last Minute Tin Gifts, Santa Fe Community College Dec 7: Poeh Winter Show (4-7 pm), Poeh Center Pojoaque Pueblo Dec 7-8: Contemporary Hispanic Winter Market, SF Convention Center, www.contemporaryhispanicmarket.com Dec. 8-9: Artisan Market Holiday Show (Sat., 4 to 8; Sun., 10 to 4) SF Farmers’ Market Pavillion Gallery art shows are listed online at www.newmexico.org/ events and http://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Things_ to_Do/Winter or on SantaFe.org’s calendar of events. A gift to local organizations helps keep both land and traditions alive. Consider the Santa Fe Farmers’ Institute, Center for Southwest Culture, Río Grande Return (gift packs support conservation efforts), Santa Fe Watershed Association, Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship, Bioneers, Nature Conservancy, Quivera Coalition, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Audubon Society, Trust for Public Land, New Mexico Land Conservancy and People for Native Ecosystems. Some of the locally owned stores featuring NM traditional and contemporary products can be found in the following directories: www.madeinnewmexico.com, samadeproducts.biz/made-in-new-mexico, www. newmexicosown.com, and www.americansworking. com/nm
© Seth Roffman (4)
C
onnecting is the gift of life. As the seasons change and we celebrate ways to appreciate Mother Earth, the harvest and each other, opportunities to support local efforts expand. Before picking up a catalog or making the rushed trip to the big box, consider an outing to the farmers’ market, artists’ market or seasonal arts shows. Locally owned stores, roadside vendors and entrepreneurs often provide the uniqueness of northern New Mexico products.
THE WINTER SEASON
The holidays are an opportune time to become attuned to life by the seasons. As beings in nature, we too are a part of nature. Eating mindfully during this time restores and replenishes the immune system and continued on page 33
www.GreenFireTimes.com
Local and regional gifts from the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market and (top) Los Ojos Handweavers (www.handweavers.com)
December 2012 • GreenFireTimes
17