Benefaction Satisfaction
by Eliza

Whoever said 'tis truly better to give than to receive probably never made it to the top of the Birkin waitlist. No addled old adage – apt, altruistic or otherwise – can take the moxie out of my Amex when it comes to seasonal swiping: Gloves for Grandma, Chloe Jeans for Eliza. Picture frame for dad, Liz Lange dress for Eliza. Fruitcake for the mailman, spa day for Eliza. You know what I mean.

Visions of sugarplums haven't danced through my highlighted head since I made my first list and checked it twice... until I had Ben, that is. This year finds me with another hot-cross bun in the oven, and I'm reminded once again how teaching my boy and bambino-to-be to embrace the spirit of giving with open alms is just as important as treating myself – or even friends and family – to the usual yuletide trappings and wrappings.

Yes, Mamas, the perfect way to be naughty and nice is to stick it to Scrooge, give it to the Grinch, melt a misanthrope's heart. It's easy: Throw more than just a few coins into a can. Serve up some soup. Save a whale. Then go out and wreak retail havoc, because the only thing better than shopping is guilt-free shopping.

So what are you waiting for? Deck the halls, hit the malls and heed the call of goodwill toward all humankind. Like those fabled Hermès handbags, generosity is one of the rare gifts that keep on giving...

Shop 'til you drop, Sisters!