Think Bigg

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to Christmas, and one of my least favorite things about the Christmas season is wrapping gifts.

Frankly, it’s probably because I’m not very good at it, and the gifts turn out looking like they’ve been in a horrible accident on their way to the Christmas tree. But also because it seems like such a terrible waste to cover all the boxes in so much beautiful paper, only to have all that paper end up in a giant Hefty bag at the end of the day.

Want a fabulous alternative?  Check out this beautiful fabric wrapping paper from the Isabella Catalog.

Each sheet of fabric is 25″ x 35,” made of 100% recycled fibers and can be stitched, glued or taped to fit your box. Once your package is unwrapped, the fabric can be washed, ironed and re-used!

The set of three fabrics is on sale now for $14.97. Think of it as adding another gift to the one you’re already giving!

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Forewarned is forearmed. Do you know how many calories tomorrow’s meal is going to cost you? Or how many miles you’d need to walk to burn it off?

This cool calculator from About.com should help you out.

Just check the boxes to match the heaping Thanksgiving plate you’re imagining, and click to do the math!

My Thanksgiving meal is costing me about 10 1/2 miles of walking. Ugh. Maybe I should walk home from Sonoma?

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From now through November 30th, any gift you give to CARE will be matched, dollar for dollar.

Throughout the world, CARE reaches out to some of the world’s most vulnerable people:

In Darfur, hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes depend on CARE to provide food, water and critical medical attention.

In Indonesia, CARE continues to help those displaced by the massive earthquake earlier this year rebuild their communities and plan for the future.

In Bolivia, India and elsewhere around the globe, CARE’s programs to empower women are making an enormous difference in poor communities.

For just a few more days, the matching funds will double your contribution up to $100,000. What a great way to kick off the holiday season!

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They used to be just five “Really Old Men Eating Out.” But after a community tragedy hit home, the ROMEOs made a decision to “Reach Out and Make Everyday Outstanding.” And they’ve been giving ever since.

The five original members of the ROMEOs — Harold Goldman, Bob Hagen, Boyd Bowdish, Frank Careccia and Barry Bakken — meet regularly at Boulevard Coffee in Los Gatos, a gem of a local coffee shop that could be the caffeinated version of “Cheers”; everybody knows your name.

So when Tammy Olivera, the owner of the coffee shop, found herself overwhelmed with medical expenses from breast cancer treatments, the men knew they had to help. Each member agreed to contribute $100 per month to help the family. Though Tammy passed away last year, the ROMEOs now honor of her memory by giving away that same monthly stipend where it can do the most good.

To date, the ROMEOs have donated to local charity auctions, high school clubs, theater projects, and libraries. When the high school sports facility was destroyed by arson, the ROMEOs were there. When a young Boulevard employee couldn’t afford to join a volleyball club, the ROMEOs were there. And last but not least, there’s a growing list of coffee shop regulars who never fail to get birthday presents.

Apparently generosity is infectious. Another Boulevard regular, Karol MacDonald, now faithfully contributes to the kitty each month, and other coffee shop patrons generously give of their time and money as situations arise.

What remains constant is the spirit of community that these men so successfully foster. With a relatively small contribution of capital — perhaps the amount you spend each month on coffee or movies or new clothes — and very big hearts, these five men have managed to touch the lives of their neighbors in meaningful ways.

When is a coffee shop more than just a place to buy coffee? When the people who go there take the time to turn it into a community. This Thanksgiving I’m thankful for people with big hearts — people just like the ROMEOs.

Great job, guys!

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Take a look at these beautiful images taken by a conservation biologist named Deane Little.

His photographs display an obvious love of nature, and his commitment to the environment is evidenced by the fact that a portion of all the photographs sold go to environmental non-profits.

Check out his website for more beautiful photographs and information on how to order. Christmas will be here before you know it!

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