by Macy Omer

The holidays are said to be the most wonderful time of the year. There are bright lights and twinkling decorations all over the city, cheerful Christmas tunes on the radio, and the comfort of spending time with your family and friends. Perhaps the greatest feeling of the holiday season comes from the gift of giving. At One Love Generation, we see the importance of spreading positive social awareness and change, and what better way to do it than give back to your community during the holidays? Here is a list of five ways to use the power of art and expression as a tool of spreading love this holiday season.

1. Make homemade holiday cards. Every year mail men deliver hundreds of thousands of holiday greeting cards all over the world. It is a way to reach out to loved ones, updating them on your life and wishing them well through the holidays and new year. This year, draw out your biggest accomplishment or favorite memory from 2012, hand write a holiday greeting and send it to your family and friends near and far.

2. Promote volunteering. Many people volunteer at soup kitchens, animal shelters, food drives, etc. during the holidays as a way to give back to their community. You can spread the word by making posters or signs to promote your favorite cause, then hang them up in malls or church bulletins.

3. Design your own soup can label. Food drives are extremely popular this time of year, collecting for homeless shelters and other organizations striving to feed the hungry all over the city. Re-design a soup can label with a cheerful image or your favorite holiday song lyrics — like soup can wrapping paper! Whether you donate the cans to a drive or pass them out to homeless people on the street yourself, you’re sure to brighten someones day with Christmas label soup.

4. Don’t buy gifts, make them! When I was little my dad used to insist that instead of spending my lemonade stand money to buy my family gifts, I should make them instead. A hand painted picture frame, a scrap book of the past year’s pictures and memorabilia, or even a burned CD with a hand drawn album cover. Whatever it may be, your one of a kind gift with surely be cherished by it’s receiver.

5. Decorate a hospital or nursing home. Paint holiday theme pictures, paper mache snowflakes or a snowman, make home made Christmas tree ornaments, or make a wreath out of fresh evergreen. Adding holiday cheer to the waiting room or hallways of a hospital ward or nursing home will surely spread holiday cheer to patients and family.

Happy Holidays!

Freaking bananas!  We are so flattered about all of the unbelievable artistic talent that has offered to participate in Sam Flax‘s “30 Artists in 30 Days” event to benefit One Love Generation!  Here is a little teaser of Chris Hamer‘s in-store work yesterday.  Be sure to join us on the 31st at The Goat Farm for the finale auction & thank you SAM FLAX team…and thank you CHRIS!